Evaluation of Soybean Variety Performance in KY

Benefit to Kentucky Soybean Growers Many University of Kentucky agriculture research projects/programs benefit Kentucky’s growers. The UK Soybean Variety Testing Program is unique in that it exists almost exclusively for Kentucky’s soybean growers and its goal is to maximize production profitability by means of proper variety selection. Annual unbiased evaluation of soybean variety performance is essential. Variety selection is recognized as the simplest and most cost-effective way to maximize productivity and profitability. It is also recognized as a sustainable practice for maximizing grain yields. The Soybean Variety Testing program also helps producers stay up-to-date with the newest biotechnology traits. The bulletin provides information on yield, seed oil and protein content at harvest, herbicide technology traits, genetic and disease resistance traits, maturity dates, plant height and lodging. Growers can use this information to select varieties that meet the agronomic requirements of their farming operations. This project will also collaborate with other states / companies to support the development of an online, open access multi-state soybean variety performance database. The program also has a history of collaborating with other UK researchers to address issues facing Kentucky’s soybean producers and will continue to do so. Research Methods: Seven soybean variety trials will be conducted at 6 locations across the soybean production regions of Kentucky. In addition to six standard trials, a Metribuzin herbicide tolerance trial will be conducted at one location to determine variety injury response to metribuzin herbicide (an older chemistry that is expected to be an important option for future soybean production). Three maturity class trials (Early – maturity group 3.9 or less) (Medium – maturity group 4.0 - 4.6) (Late – maturity group 4.7 or greater) will be conducted at each location. The experimental design will be a randomized complete block with three replications per entry. Data will be analyzed for each trial using analysis of variance and a combined analysis will be conducted across locations and years. Trials will be planted starting in mid-April (weather pending). 20-foot-long plots will be planted, six-row wide with 15 inches between the rows. 4 to 5 live seeds are planted per foot of row, 1.5 inch deep. All plots are chemically and mechanically end-trimmed to 16 feet approximately 3 weeks after planting. The trials are exposed to rain-fed conditions. Soil samples are collected for SCN tests and fertility tests prior to planting. Pre-plant, emergence, post-emergence herbicide programs will be developed for each test site for weed management. All varieties are treated as conventional. Maturity date and plant height data will be collected at the Fayette County location. Lodging scores will be collected at all locations during harvest. If possible, disease ratings will be taken for any pathogen that is prevalent in the area. Samples for seed composition will be collected at one location (3 reps sampled) during harvest. Whole seed samples will be thoroughly cleaned, and protein and oil concentrations will be measured using NIR spectrophotometry. Results will be released online as soon as the trials for each maturity class are harvested. A final report/bulletin will be released online and in print as soon as all trials and seed compositional analysis are complete. shared with other institutions to help build an open access multi-state soybean variety performance database. Results will also be shared with other researchers to help develop predictive models for soybean yield & seed quality and will provide inputs for breeders to develop varieties better adapted to Kentucky environments.