How to manage soybeans during the seed-filling stage? A detailed explanation of the latest management key points
In soybean production, the soybean seed-filling stage is a relatively important period and has a fairly large impact on yield. At this time, growth is in a vigorous phase, the seeds gradually swell, and it is the period when soybeans accumulate the most dry matter. So how should soybeans be managed during the seed-filling stage? Let us find out together.
1. Foliar fertilization
After soybeans enter the seed-filling stage, vegetative growth basically stops, while reproductive growth is in a vigorous phase. At this time, a large amount of nutrients in the plant are transported to the seeds to promote seed swelling, and this is the period when the most dry matter is accumulated. At this stage, soybeans have a relatively large demand for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Before this, most of these nutrients were obtained by the roots from the soil, but the conversion of nutrients in the soil is relatively weak, which also leads to a mismatch between the soybean's nutrient demand and the soil's fertilizer supply capacity. This makes it prone to premature senescence due to insufficient nutrients, becoming a major factor limiting high soybean yields. Therefore, during the soybean seed-filling stage, the method of foliar fertilization can be adopted to effectively ease the contradiction between soybean fertilizer demand and fertilizer supply, and accelerate the accumulation, transformation, and transport of assimilates. For each mu, 0.3-0.5 kg of urea and 70-100 g of potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be mixed with 30 kg of water and sprayed on the leaves, which gives a relatively good effect. According to growth conditions, spray appropriately 2-3 times.
2. Reasonable irrigation
When soybeans are swelling, in addition to needing nutrients, they also need sufficient water. The seed-filling stage happens to come after the peak rainfall period, so there is relatively little rain, and the soil moisture is often insufficient, resulting in the “autumn drought” phenomenon. This has a relatively large impact on soybean swelling, so at this time timely irrigation to replenish water can promote seed swelling and improve yield and quality.
3. Weeding
During the soybean seed-filling stage, weeding work should be strengthened. Weeds will compete with soybean seeds for water and fertilizer during swelling, and will inhibit the reproductive growth of soybeans. Therefore, weeding must be done frequently. At this time, the crop is in the maturity stage, so pesticides should not be sprayed, so as to prevent the chemicals from entering the seeds and harming human health. Therefore, it is recommended to pull out field weeds manually.
4. Pest control
This is also a period of high incidence of soybean pod borers and bean pod borers. They bore into the pods, continuously feed on the seeds, and eat the pods empty, causing yield decline and also spreading diseases. Therefore, pest control measures should be strengthened, and pests should be controlled promptly once found.
The above is an introduction to the key management points for the soybean seed-filling stage. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.