Sowing Dates and Seeding Rates Affect Soybean Grain Composition

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The effect of agronomic practices in soybean grain composition lacks information. In addition, the importance of protein and oil contents in soybean grains is increasing due to the industry demand for grain quality. It is well known that soybean grain weight can change according to environmental conditions, like different sowing dates, however, the consequences in grain composition need to be better understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition, oil and protein yield of soybean grains, in response to different sowing dates (early, mid, and late), seeding rates (15, 25, 35, and 45 seeds m−2), and two growing seasons. Late sowing reduced grain oil content, soybean oil yield, and protein yield. The increase in seeding rate from 15 to 45 seeds m−2 increased grain protein content from 33.8% to 35.1%, oil yield increased 10% and protein yield, 17%. The results of this study show that in the management of soybean crops the sowing date and seeding rate can change grain composition. This information demonstrates that agronomic practices should be considered by growers and breeders when considering soybean grain quality.