Back-to-Back Soybean Management

Do you have any fields going back to soybean this year? Below are management factors to consider for planting back-to-back soybeans.

Soybean Seed Selection

Many soybean diseases survive on the residue and can readily infect the new soybean crop. It is critical to select a soybean with strong tolerance to the diseases the field has a history of, including:

• white mold,
• frogeye leaf spot,
• sudden death syndrome, and
• seedling diseases like phytophthora.

Also, select a variety with SCN resistance, like PI88788 or Peking. The below photo shows two different soybean varieties and their drastic differences in SDS tolerance.

📸: BASF employee/Featuring two different soybean varieties and their drastic differences in SDS tolerance.

Weed Management

Planting continuous soybeans increases the risk of herbicide-resistant weeds. Utilize a pre- and post-herbicide program with multiple modes of action. Be prepared to scout your fields to stay ahead of any issues that may arise, not only with weeds but also with disease and insects.

Seed Treatment

To manage seedling diseases like phytophthora and pythium, consider using a seed treatment with multiple modes of action like Obvius^® Plus Seed Treatment. To help manage SDS and SCN, consider ILEVO^® Seed Treatment.

Fertility

1. First, apply lime if needed to maximize the amount of plant available nutrients in the soil.
2. Next, calculate fertilizer requirements. Phosphorus is especially crucial in continuous soybeans. Over 80% of the phosphorus a soybean plant takes up is stored in the grain and is therefore removed from the field at harvest. Potassium is also crucial for vigorous growth. The plant takes up 3.5 lbs. of K2O per acre per day over 50 days, starting at the beginning pod.

Fungicide Application

Back-to-back beans increase the likelihood of economic yield loss from disease. Manage disease risk with a fungicide application of Revytek^® Fungicide or Priaxor^® Fungicide at the beginning of pod set (R3). This will also help with plant health and stress mitigation.

For more information, please reach out to your BASF representative.

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