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Interpretive Summaries:
2002 - Evaluating Site-specific Soybean Management within the Mississippi Soybean Verification Program (SMART – Soybean Management through Application of Research and Technology
2001 - Evaluating Site-Specific Soybean Management within the Mississippi Soybean Verification Program (SMART – Soybean Management through Application of Research and Technology)
2000 - Variability of Soil Chemical and Physical Properties and Their Influence on Soybean Yield in Mississippi
Evaluating Site-specific Soybean Management within the Mississippi Soybean Verification Program (SMART – Soybean Management through Application of Research and Technology), 2002
Mississippi’s verification program—Soybean Management by Application of Research and Technology (SMART)—consisted of 30 producer fields in 2002. This program utilizes research-based technology and on farm experiences to aid in improving production efficiency and overall farm profitability. A global positioning system (GPS) was used to identify problem areas for site-specific management. All field boundaries were mapped using a GPS equipped Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping program to calculate exact planted and harvested acres. These maps were used to generate evenly distributed soil sample points within the field. The GIS maps were also used in planning for crop inputs such as fertilizer, seed, and chemicals. Topographic contour maps were developed in selected fields using a RTK (Real Time Kenematics) GPS unit. These data were used in identifying high and low elevation areas within fields.
Elevation in the field areas was correlated with stressed areas during the growing season. In an above-average rainfall year, higher elevations exhibit less stress than lower elevations. The exact opposite has been observed in below average rainfall years. Over the past couple of seasons we observed some differences in growth and development that were not easily explained. However, when elevation was measured, the problem was identified as drainage. This could be compounded due to planting method, soil texture, soil tilth, and stage of growth. Based on preliminary research, management practices need to be refined to maintain profitability. Practices such as: evaluation of new materials, timely application of insecticides/fungicides, low use rates, and method of application and volume are examples of a few management practices that are currently being used in the Mississippi verification program. Voids exist in the evaluation of new management options and Mississippi’s verification program is currently the only avenue for evaluation. MS-08F
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