What causes soybean plants to produce many empty pods?

Soybean cultivation holds a very important place in China, because most of the country's grain and oil comes from soybeans. Soybeans also have strong adaptability, so they can be grown all over the country. However, some farmers have reported that their soybeans produced a lot of empty pods. Why is that? Since there are many causes of empty pods in soybeans, the editors at Qinong Net have put together a brief summary. Let's take a look below.

Causes of empty pods in soybeans

1. Variety problems

Although soybeans have strong adaptability, that does not mean they can still grow well and produce high yields in unsuitable environments. So the most basic cause of empty pods in soybeans is choosing the wrong variety. Secondly, if a late-maturing variety is planted late, this will cause a large number of empty pods to appear, because by the time harvest season arrives it simply has not matured yet, and due to the season it will not mature any further. So we must pay attention to variety selection.

2. Timing problems

Soybeans have a suitable time window for planting. Generally, if they are planted during the optimal growing period, combined with later management, then basically no empty pods will appear. The correct planting time is generally from June to August, and the best is to plant early-maturing varieties in June, so that they can avoid the high-temperature period.

3. Continuous cropping on the same field

When planting soybeans, you cannot practice continuous cropping on the same field. That is to say, if you plant soybeans this year, then you cannot plant them again next year; you must switch to another plot of land for planting, because each time you plant, the trace elements in the soil suitable for soybean growth decrease, causing soybeans to be unable to grow normally. In addition, planting crops such as melons and fruits and then using that land for soybeans can also cause empty pods.

4. Improper fertilizer and water management

If soybeans still produce empty pods when all other planting conditions are normal, then the biggest cause is improper fertilizer and water management and unscientific fertilization, such as applying too much urea, applying too little potassium fertilizer, or applying other necessary trace fertilizers improperly. This very easily causes nutritional deficiency in soybeans, so empty pods are hardly surprising. Secondly, there is excessive water, failure to drain in time, or the soil no longer having enough water for soybean growth but still not being watered, or not being watered in time. This can also produce empty pods.

5. Weather effects

The effect of weather on empty pods in soybeans is mainly shown in three aspects. The first is high temperature with little rain, the second is high temperature with heavy rain, and the third is low temperature with heavy rain. If the temperature reaches above 38 degrees, soybeans may stop flowering, or stop growing, or may even be scorched to death. Secondly, if rainfall is too heavy, the soil becomes compacted, and drainage is poor, empty pods can also appear, or the plants may even wither and die.

Prevention and control methods

Actually, the methods for preventing and controlling empty pods in soybeans are very simple. First, choose a soybean variety suitable for local planting. Second, pay attention to crop rotation and choose a good planting plot. Then, match the fertilizers well and fertilize reasonably, without over-applying nitrogen fertilizer. Also, drain water in time and loosen the soil for aeration. Finally, prepare in advance for drought and flood disasters, and carry out timely and effective management of the soybeans in the field.