Soybean harvest can be delayed due to extreme weather events like heavy rainfall. Delayed harvest results in soybean seed losses, which reduces farmer profits. Harvest aids are commercially available products that are applied to plants with the purpose of desiccating the foliage so that harvest can occur earlier. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of harvest aid on soybean seed yield, protein and oil yield, green stem incidence, and harvest timing. Harvest aid applied at R7 (one mature-colored pod present anywhere on the main stem) soybean growth stage rarely reduced seed yield and did not reduce protein and oil yield. Harvest aid applied at R6.5 reduced seed, protein, and oil yield. Harvest aid applied at both soybean growth stages reduced green stem incidence and allowed for earlier harvest. Our results show that harvest aids applied at the right time can lead to earlier soybean harvest with minimal adverse effects on seed, protein, and oil yield.
- Agricultural Systems
- Crop Management