The Influence of Space and Arrangement on the Production of Soybean Plants1

Abstract

The results for four years of varying rates of seeding of Cayuga soybeans as influenced both by the spacing within the row and the width between the rows lead to the following general conclusions. The specific conclusions directly applicable to early-maturing soybean varieties as represented by Cayuga were presented above as the experimental results were discussed. 1. The nearer the arrangement of plants on a given area approaches a uniform distribution, the greater will be the yield. Other things being equal, the narrower the distance between rows until the distance between rows equals the space between plants in the row, the greater the yield. 2. Within wide ranges the number of plants per square foot of area has little effect on net increases. There is nothing to be gained by seeding beyond a given optimum. 3. The soybean plant, like many others, has the ability to make wide adjustments to space. 4. Optimum rates and spacings for soybeans should be determined not only for the various soybean-producing areas but also for the varieties to be grown. Large-growing, late-maturing varieties would hardly be expected to require the same rate or spacing for optimum yields that small-growing, early-maturing varieties require. 5. A variety of soybeans has an optimum number of plants per unit area for the maximum net increase. For Cayuga this rate is 6 plants per square foot.