Soybeans | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: November 15, 2022

Assessing Options for Italian Ryegrass Control Prior to Soybean Planting

Italian ryegrass is a winter annual weed that often needs to be managed prior to soybean planting. In Maryland, populations of Italian ryegrass have been confirmed to be resistant to group 1 (Axial, Select) and group 2 (Harmony, PowerFlex) herbicides, but recent populations have appeared to develop resistance to glyphosate (Figure 1). With limited herbicide options, preplant control of Italian ryegrass will be challenging for growers.

Updated: November 14, 2022

Soybean Fungicide Trials, 2021

2021 soybean fungicide trial results

Updated: November 14, 2022

Assessing Herbicide Options for Preplant Weed Control in Soybean

Starting clean, or weed-free, is a critical component of any weed management program. In 2022, growers experienced either a lack of or higher cost of glyphosate-based herbicides that are typically used to control weeds prior to planting soybean. In a study sponsored by the Maryland Soybean board and conducted at the University of Maryland’s Central Maryland and Wye Research and Education Centers, different glyphosate-based and non-glyphosate based herbicide treatments were evaluated for their ability to provide effective preplant weed control (Table 1). These treatments included both single and sequential herbicide applications.

Preplant application results using liberty and gramoxone.

Updated: September 29, 2022

Agronomy News-September 2022

Agronomy News-September 2022, Volume 13, Issue 6. Topics in this issue are Minimizing Combine Weed-Seed Movement, SARE Farmer Grants, 2022 Maryland Cash Rental Rates, Scouting for Podworms, Tar Spot Disease Confirmed in Maryland, Disease in Soybean, Delmarva Woodland Stewards, Maryland Farming Success Training Course, Grain Market Report, Weather Outlook, and Regional Crop Reports.

Updated: September 26, 2022

Scouting For Podworms

It's time to start scouting for podworms (Helicoverpa zea) in double-crop soybeans. There have been reports of high numbers of small and young pod worms and soybean loopers in double-crop soybean on the Delmarva. Podworms prefer fields that are flowering, open canopy, and stressed and have been recently sprayed with a non-selective insecticide. Their population can be spotty, so one field can be high while the field next to it is low, so the only way to know what is happening in a particular field is to sample it. You can sample for podworms using either a sweep net or drop cloth.

Figure 1. Yellow colored podworm feeding in soybean. Image: Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Exension Slide Series, Bugwood.org

Updated: August 18, 2022

What do the Numbers Really Mean? Interpreting Variety Trial Results (FS-1119)

These variety trial reports contain statistical information that is critical for proper interpretation of the data. However, without basic understanding of statistics, growers and end-users of the variety trial reports may misinterpret the data and draw invalid conclusions. This fact sheet addresses basic statistical concepts and how to apply them to properly interpret variety trial data. Authors: Andrew A. Kness and Nicole M. Fiorellino; Title: What do the Numbers Really Mean? Interpreting Variety Trial Results (FS-1119)

Updated: August 9, 2022

Agronomy News-August 2022

Agronomy News-August 2022, Volume 13, Issue 4. Topics in this issue are Small Grain Variety Trials, Palmer Amaranth Control in Organic Systems, Possible Changes to Atrazine Use, Japanese Stiltgrass Identification and Control, Sampling for Nematodes in Soybeans, Sprayer and Pesticide Twilight Meeting, Broiler Grower Settlements, New Rules for Processing Food Wastes and Residuals, Webinar: Solar On The Farm, Pasture and Grazing Workshops, Grain Market Report, Weather Outlook, and Regional Crop Reports.

Updated: July 22, 2022

Farmer-saved Seed: What is Legal? What is Not? (FS-1064)

Most wheat and soybean seed sold in Maryland is protected by either U.S. Patent Law or the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA). These protections severely limit the age-old practice of “farmer-saved seed” or prohibit it entirely, depending upon the protection the owner of the variety secures. The following will discuss the implications of Patent Law and PVPA on farmer-saved seed of wheat and soybeans. Authors: Dale Morris, Robert Kratochvil, and Paul Goeringer; Title: Farmer-saved Seed: What is Legal? What is Not? (FS-1064)

Updated: July 20, 2022

Legal Liability of Saving Seeds in an Era of Expiring Patents (FS-1000)

2014 marked the expiration of Monsanto’s patent on the first generation Roundup Ready© technology. But, this expiration does not mean that farmers using seed from first generation Roundup Ready© technology will be able to save harvested seed for planting a subsequent crop. Many seed companies utilizing this technology may consider other federal law protections afforded them. One such protection would be the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA). Another protection would be the use of contracts. A company also may look at utilizing patent law to limit seed saving. You will need to consider each one of these to determine if saving the seed is allowed. Author: Paul Goeringer; Title: Legal Liability of Saving Seeds in an Era of Expiring Patents (FS-1000)

Updated: July 13, 2022

Trend-Adjusted Yield Option Introduced for Crop Insurance (FS-970)

Actual Production History (APH) is a 4- to 10-year yield average used to calculate each producer’s production guarantee. Producers with 10 years of yield history are penalized under APH because yields have increased over time, and APH yields can lag behind their most recent yields. Therefore producers with only 4 years of yield history can actually have higher average yields. Authors: Paul Goeringer and Lori Lynch; Title: Trend-Adjusted Yield Option Introduced for Crop Insurance (FS-970)