Soil property differences among high‐ and average‐yielding soya bean areas in Arkansas, USA

Abstract

AbstractSoya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] yields >6719 kg/ha (100 bu/ac) have only recently and infrequently been achieved. Quantifying soil property differences between high‐ and average‐yielding areas can help to further identify non‐plant‐related properties contributing to soya bean yield potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of region and soil depth on soil property differences between high‐ and average‐yielding areas. In each of the seven regions of the ‘Grow for the Green’ yield contest in Arkansas, prior to or just after harvest in 2014 and 2015, soil samples were collected from the top 20 cm of one contest high‐yield (HY) area that was in close proximity to an average‐yield (AY) area. Across all regions and both years, soya bean yields differed (P < 0.05) between yield areas, averaging 4701 and 5498 kg/ha in AY and HY areas, respectively. Averaged across soil depth and years, numerous soil properties differed (P < 0.05) between HY and AY areas within at least one of seven regions. Total soil C content was at least 20.2% greater in the HY than in the AY area in three of seven regions. Extractable soil P content was, on average, 19.4 kg/ha greater in HY than in AY areas in three of the seven regions. Results from this study have the potential to help producers better understand soil properties that contribute to or hinder achieving ultra‐high (>6719 kg/ha) soya bean yields.