COLUMBUS – Ohio State University evaluated 190 soybean varieties at five test sites around the state this year. Of the seed varieties tested 153 were Roundup Ready and 37 were normal varieties.
Depending on test site, results include:
* Yield ranged from a low of 44.8 bushels per acre to a high of 79.1 bushels per acre.
* Relative maturity ranged from 2.3 to 4.4, while plant height was 22 inches to 47 inches.
* Lodging ranged from none to all plants on the ground and hard to pick up with a floating cutterbar.
* Seed size varied from 1800 to 3700 seeds per pound.
* The percent oil and protein varied from 18.2 to 22.9 for oil and 37.8 to 45.7 for protein.
* The partial tolerance to Phytophthora root rot varied from 3.2 to 8.0.
Test results are available at county extension offices and on the Internet at http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf.
When selecting varieties to grow in 2002, using the OSU variety test report, be sure to select varieties having the following characteristics:
* A range of maturities to spread out the harvest season. Early varieties in narrow rows perform as well as late varieties.
* Test plot yields should be greater than average for the test.
* Lodging always reduces yield. Varieties should have low lodging scores (1 or 2). Reducing the seeding rate of lodging susceptible varieties will reduce lodging without affecting yield.
* Select varieties with a Phytophthora partial resistance score of less than 5 to reduce the loss of yield from that disease. Selecting varieties with one or more Phytophthora resistance genes (Rps 1b, 1c, 1k, or 3a) will also help reduce yield loss.
* Varieties with a Sclerotonia rating “M” will have much less yield loss to Sclerotonia white mold than varieties without the M rating if conditions are favorable for that disease.
* All seed should be treated with fungicides to improve plant stand and root system health, regardless of variety, crop rotation, tillage, planting date, or seeding rate.
