Author
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Cooper, Richard |
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Submitted to: International Crop Science Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Average soybean yield in the U. S. is 2600 kg/ha, but in maximum yield research 7000 kg/ha have been obtained. These data indicate the potential for increased food production from soybeans. It is suggested similar data could be obtained for other food crops if the concept of maximum yield research is applied. The objective of maximum yield research is to remove all controllable yield limiting factors, regardless of cost or practicality, to maximize the yield potential of the crop. Once a genotype/production system is developed that maximizes the yield potential of a given crop, input adjustments can be made to develop a practical and economical production system. It is suggested that researchers use the high yield check (identified under maximum yield conditions) approach to their evaluation of cultivar and production inputs, rather than the traditional, low yield check approach. A major disadvantage of using a low yield check is that the researcher never knows whether the lack of a yield increase from a given input is due to the input itself or whether some other yield limiting factor is preventing a yield increase from that input. The high yield check approach is a far more sensitive system. When a necessary input for maximum yield is decreased or removed, yields will be significantly decreased. Results from maximum yield research on soybeans have systematically identified water, lodging, row spacing, seeding rate and most recently, delayed flowering under normal spring temperatures in the Midwest U.S., as major yield limiting factors in soybeans. |
