Soybean Cultivar Response to Subsurface Drainage and Subirrigation in Northeast Missouri

Abstract

Management of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] on claypan soils with drainage (DO) or drainage plus subirrigation (DSI) may depend on correct cultivar selection. Field research in 2007 and 2008 evaluated effect of cultivar (Kruger 382, Morsoy 3636, Asgrow 3602, Pioneer 93M96 and NKS37‐N4) and DO or DSI at 20‐ and 40‐ft drain tile spacings on soybean response. Kruger 382 yield increased 7 bu/acre with DSI on a 20‐ft spacing compared to DO, but yields were similar between DO and DSI systems for other cultivars. Using DSI and DO, Kruger 382, Morsoy 3636, and Asgrow 3602 increased yields 15 to 46% (7 to 17 bu/acre) compared to the non‐drained control. However, Pioneer 93M96 or NKS37‐N4 yields were not affected by DO or DSI. Oil concentration of Morsoy 3636 and Asgrow 3602 decreased up to 0.3 percentage points with DO at a 20‐ft spacing, but drainage had no effect on oil concentration of Kruger 382, Pioneer 93M96, or NKS37‐N4. It was important to match high yielding cultivars with appropriate drainage water management systems.

Soybean Yield Variability of Drainage and Subirrigation Systems in a Claypan Soil

“…Computer simulation research indicated the optimal spacing for a claypan soil similar to the soil series in this research in southern Illinois for subirrigation should be 6.1 m (Mostaghimi et al, 1985); however, no research had evaluated crop response due to the installation costs in the 1980's. Plot size was 18 to 24 by 46 m during most years unless cultivars or management systems were evaluated and plot size was summarized in Nelson et al (2012) or .…”

“…Lateral water movement did not affect adjacent plots (visual observations). Sub-sub-plots included five cultivars in 2007 and 2008 (Nelson et al, 2012) and five fungicide/insecticide management systems in 2009 and 2010 (table 1). A representative randomization of DSI at 6.1 m for replication 1 is available in figure 1 for the sub-sub-plots.…”

“…All plots were maintained weed-free. Specific fungicide and insecticide amounts and timings are available (Nelson et al, , 2012. Chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-ylphosphorothioate) was applied in 2005 and 2012 for control of two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae), while lambda-cyhalothrin [1a(S*),3a(Z)]-(±)-cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] was typically applied to control soybean aphids (Aphis glycines Matsumura) at threshold populations.…”

“…Tile lines and distances from the tile lines were manually marked at 3.1 m intervals prior to harvest. Previous research has evaluated mean yields and production characteristics (Nelson et al, , 2012; however, this research evaluates the spatial differences in crop production and growth characteristics for all of the year-cultivar-management systems at 3.1-m distances from the subsurface tile lines.…”

“…A synergistic increase (4.8 Mg ha -1 ) in corn grain yields was reported when overhead irrigation was used in conjunction with subsurface tile drainage in southern Illinois (Walker et al, 1982;Sipp et al, 1986). However, other research has recently evaluated the impact of subsurface drainage systems used in conjunction with subirrigation (DSI) in claypan soils (Nelson et al, , 2012. A DSI system utilizes subsurface tile drainage to remove water in the soil profile during spring and fall to allow aeration of the soil and timely field operations, regulate water flow during winter (controlled drainage) (Frankenberger et al, 2006) and improve water quality (Nash et al, 2015a, b), and provide irrigation water to the crop during dry periods of the growing season (Belcher and D'Itri, 1995;Skaggs, 1999).…”