Row Spacing Interactions

Methods:

The soybean variety, Channel variety maturity 1.4, was either seeded in 30 in. wide rows with a planter or in 7.5 in. wide rows with a drill on June 8th 2017.  The seed was untreated.  Plots were seeded at either 75k, 105k, 135k, 170k, or 205k pure live seeds (PLS) ac^-1.  A total of 8 replications were completed for the 30 inch row beans versus the 7.5 inch row drilled beans at these different seeding rates. The 90% germination value from the seed tag was used to calculate PLS.

Results: 

For this particular study there was a very significant yield difference between 30 inch row and drilled beans by 6 bushels.  The drilled beans had a 6 bushel average advantage over the row beans across 8 replications. It’s important to note that soybean yield response to seeding rate and row spacing combinations are highly variable and that results from multiple site-years and your own on-farm testing should be taken into consideration when choosing an appropriate seeding method.

Acknowledgement:

Authors: Thandi Nleya and Graig Reicks

Trial funded by South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council