Sowing date, genotype choice, and water environment control soybean yields in central Argentina

Abstract

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is one of the most important crops worldwide, and Argentina is the third largest global grain producer and the worlds´ largest meal exporter. Under the continuous challenge of increasing crop yields, especially in the central temperate region of the country, there is a growing need to optimize management in relation to the environment that each specific farm and paddock presents. Understanding the impact of available technologies and management options can help optimize crop design. Here, we identify and quantify the effect of the most relevant variables affecting soybean yield by analyzing a database that includes 53 field trials with four common commercial genotypes, reporting 50 management and environmental variables. Linear mixed‐effect models revealed that two management decisions (genotype and sowing date selection) and three environmental variables (rainfall during the reproductive crop period from R1 to R7, soil type [Hapludoll vs. Argiudoll], and water table presence above or below 2 m of depth from the surface) helped explain ∼40% of total yield variability, which ranged from 1,675 to 7,226 kg ha−1 and averaged 5,133 kg ha−1. Water table presence generated higher and more stable yields particularly in coarse‐textured Hapludolls and under low‐rainfall conditions. Results highlight specific management and environmental conditions that affect soybean crop yields in the region, pointing to effective pathways toward yield gap reductions.

Use of sludge from pulp mills in extensive crops: An assessment at a semi‐commercial scale in central South America

“…Double cropped soybean at the Moscoso‐Molina site, yielded 1,995 kg ha –1 and was in the range of estimated actual yield for the region (2,000 kg ha −1 ) but below the values of water‐limited yield (3,400 kg ha −1 ) and potential yield (5,700 kg ha −1 ) (Rizzo et al., 2021). These results are in agreement with the low water regime that occurred in this season (Rizzo et al., 2022), and these water limitations may have masked the residual effect of the treatments (Calviño & Sadras, 1999; Vitantonio‐Mazzini et al., 2021). A more limiting environment was experienced by the double‐cropped maize at the Rosello‐Dalmás site, where only 390 mm of rainfall occurred during the crop cycle, reaching an average yield of 10% of the potential values reported for the region (Hayashi & Water, 2021).…”

Sowing date affects soybean biological nitrogen fixation

“…Yield of MGs IV and V responded differently to changes in sowing date. Earlier reports for this region showed constant maximum yields until a threshold date when yields start to decline (Vitantonio-Mazzini et al, 2021), and our results for MG V matched with the previous ones. In some production systems where sowing date is delayed adapting cultivar choices to lower maturity group has a less detrimental effect on yield (Egli & Bruening, 2000;Sciarresi et al, 2020).…”

“…Earlier sowing dates lengthen the duration of vegetative, flowering, and pod-set stages, and in most cases help avoid cooler temperatures during the seed-filling period. In mostly all environments, delaying sowing date during the earlier range of possible sowing dates has no effects on yield until a particular threshold date when yields start declining (De Bruin & Pedersen, 2008;Edreira et al, 2017;Gaspar & Conley, 2015;Madias et al, 2021;Marburger et al, 2016;Mourtzinis et al, 2017;Rattalino Di Mauro et al, 2018;Vitantonio-Mazzini et al, 2021). Soybean yield is positively correlated with canopy N uptake (Balboa et al, 2018;Gaspar et al, 2017;Rotundo et al, 2014;Salvagiotti et al, 2008;Santachiara et al, 2017;Tamagno et al, 2017).…”

Season-specific management strategies for rainfed soybean in the South American Pampas based on a seasonal precipitation forecast

“…In rainfed soybean cropping systems in the South American Pampas, the most important yield-limiting factor is the total rainfall and its distribution during the cropping season (Calviño and Sadras, 1999;Rizzo et al, 2021). Prior to the sowing date, which is one of the most yield-determining agronomic management decisions (Rattalino Edreira et al, 2017;Vitantonio-Mazzini et al, 2021), skillful probabilistic seasonal climate forecasts can provide information about expected rainfall in the growing season. Although several studies have documented the effect of the ENSO in the soybean yields in the South American Pampas (Araneda-Cabrera et al, 2021;Monzon et al, 2007), there is a lack of knowledge about the ability of probabilistic seasonal forecasts to support farmers management decisions and to optimize the agronomic management practices for each season (Bert et al, 2007).…”