Field Monitor News

Due to favorable conditions during in the 2009 growing season, soybean seeds in some areas may be larger than average. What does this mean for growers planning for the 2010 planting season?

Germination and Growth

Small and large seeds of the same variety have the same genetic material; therefore, the same yield potential. While seed size is influenced partially by genetics, the environment during seed fill plays a larger role.

Under most conditions, seed size does not affect germination and emergence. In some extreme situations, differences may be observed, but they are rare. For example, large seed may be able to survive a longer period of time prior to emergence under adverse conditions due to a larger reserve of energy.

However, the larger reserve of energy can also be detrimental, as the increased size of the cotyledons requires more energy to be pulled above the ground. Additionally, larger seeds, which require more moisture for germination, could suffer from extremely dry soil moisture conditions.

Given that these are extremes and do not normally occur, the optimum seeding depth for the majority of soybean seeds and environmental conditions is 1 to 1.5 inches. For more about Large Soybean Seed click here.