By Blake Jackson
Soybean seed quality, defined by germination, health, and size, is crucial for successful crop establishment. While seed size and variety influence initial seedling development, seed size alone doesn't consistently predict yield, emergence, or vigor the seed lot's ability to perform under challenging conditions like drought or flooding.
Environmental stresses during seed development, as well as soybean seed pathogens, can significantly reduce seed vigor and germination, potentially hindering seedling growth.
Planting poor-quality seed in unfavorable soil conditions further elevates the risk of reduced stand establishment.
The 2024 growing season presented challenges to soybean seed quality across the United States, including Pennsylvania. Above-average temperatures and drought in the Midwest impacted seed fill and size.
In regions affected by Hurricane Helene's remnants, significant late-season rainfall promoted seed diseases and pre-harvest sprouting in soybeans, issues also observed in some areas of Pennsylvania. These weather events underscore the vulnerability of seed quality to environmental factors.
Commercially available soybean seed undergoes rigorous cleaning and conditioning processes to mitigate quality issues. This includes removing impurities, size grading, and utilizing gravity tables and optical sensors to select healthy seeds.
While these processes effectively remove many pathogen-affected seeds, complete elimination, especially in areas with high disease prevalence like those impacted by late-season rains in Pennsylvania, may not be entirely achievable.
To prepare for planting, Pennsylvania growers should prioritize checking the soybean seed tag for the germination percentage, ideally around 90%.
Given the widespread weather challenges in US soybean-growing regions in 2024, including Pennsylvania, origin information on the seed tag can be helpful; seeds from regions unaffected by these specific issues might exhibit better quality.
If planting conditions in Pennsylvania are less than ideal, conducting a seed germination test is advisable. For a more comprehensive assessment, a cold test or an accelerated aging test can provide insights into seed vigor and potential field performance.
If a germination test isn't feasible and there are concerns about seed quality (e.g., germination below 85%), increasing the seeding rate by approximately 10% can help compensate for potentially lower emergence rates in Pennsylvania fields.
Paying close attention to seed tags and considering seed testing are prudent steps for Pennsylvania soybean farmers this planting season.
Photo Credit: istock-urpspoteko
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Soybeans