INITIATING SOYBEAN IRRIGATION
Much has been written about when to start irrigating soybeans in relation to reproductive stage. Much of this discussion stems from early research with scheduling irrigation for May (full-season and not doublecrop) plantings of MGs 5 through 7 soybean varieties [Conventional Soybean Production System (CSPS)]. This research was conducted during the 1980s throughout the southeastern USA. The vast majority of the results proved that irrigating soybeans before beginning bloom did not increase yields above the level achieved from starting irrigation at beginning bloom.
Soybeans are now planted in March and April, and the varieties are predominantly MGs 3 and 4 [Early soybean production system (ESPS)]. The reproductive period for these plantings begins in early to mid-May vs. early July and later in the CSPS. Thus, the decision about when to start soybean irrigation should be based on this early development in ESPS plantings.
In research where tensiometers and weather data were used to schedule irrigation, beginning irrigation of late March and early April plantings of MG 3 and MG 4 varieties rarely occurred before the beginning of pod development (R3), which occurs after May 20. Atmospheric water demand was low before this stage, soil water was plentiful, and rainfall was frequent and oftentimes replenished the soil profile. There was just never the need to irrigate before this time. Yields from these plantings grown under this irrigation regime were in the mid-70s to low 80s bu/acre.
There has been conjecture that early-season irrigation of these early plantings will promote more rapid vegetative growth and taller plants, but this is not necessarily so. In fact, soybean growth during the first 30 days of development is relatively slow. Irrigating will not change this. Soybean plants just need time for nitrogen fixation to reach high levels, and time for enough leaf area to develop to support future rapid growth. Even plantings that will not be irrigated have adequate soil moisture and mild weather that will promote all the growth the plant can achieve during vegetative development in ESPS plantings.
In doublecrop plantings that are planted in early June and later, the above discussion does not apply. In fact, irrigation of these plantings may be necessary just to achieve a stand. Also, irrigation of doublecrop soybeans during vegetative development may promote more rapid canopy development, which becomes increasingly important in a shorter season with hotter days, warmer nights, higher atmospheric water demand, and less time each day for plant growth and development.
(Delta Farm Press, V. 62, No. 22, June 3, 2005)
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