Shattering Soybeans Reported

Stress conditions this summer are showing up in soybeans as those stressed areas in fields are shattering. Pods are breaking open releasing seeds to fall on the soil. Those fields that handled the stress significantly well are not shattering.

 

It is important to scout your fields and determine your plan of action. Most fields have green soybeans mixed with shattering soybeans so the decision is not easy.  Do you wait or take some discount.

 

Four to five soybeans per square foot spread uniformly across a field equal a bushel per acre loss.  I would use four with seed size under 3,200 seeds per pound variety and five with seed size greater than 3,200 seeds per pound. Sample several areas of the field and determine how much loss you are having.

 

I was in fields near Plattsburg last week which were severely drought stressed and there was considerable yield loss. Reports of other fields showing losses are coming into the Extension office again where the plants were drought damaged.

 

For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446-3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.