Comparative Harvest Efficiency of Soybeans between Cropping Systems Affected by First Pod Height and Plant Length

Journal Title: UNKNOWN - Year 2019, Vol 5, Issue 1

Abstract

Today, the demand for soybean for feed industry and food production in Germany is met by imports from South and North America. Soybean cultivation in Germany, although challenging, will be of interest in the future due to an increasing demand for non-genetically modified (NGM) soybeans. To meet this rising demand for NGM soybeans and to increase resource use efficiency there is a need to reduce soybean harvest losses arising from harvesting with combine harvester. The height of the first pod can be a major factor affecting harvest losses, especially when it is not possible to maintain a sufficiently low cutting height. From 2011 to 2013, six soybean varieties were cultivated using two cropping systems (conventional ‘CON’ and organic ‘ORG’) at the Osnabru ̈ck University of Applied Sciences in a randomized block design with four replications to investigate the effect of first pod height and plant length on harvest losses and the effect of the cropping system on these parameters. Before harvesting with an experimental harvester, 1.5 m2 per plot were harvested manually as a reference. First pod height, number of pods per plant and plant length were determined on 10 plants per plot. Over the three years of the study, the first pod height (10.4 cm) and plant length (81.4 cm) were on average higher under conventional conditions compared to organic cultivation (7.3 cm; 60.9 cm). On average, lower harvest losses (25.6% vs. 39.2%) and higher grain yields (20.8 dt ha−1 vs. 16.9 dt ha−1) were also observed under conventional cultivation. Varieties differed significantly in grain yield, first pod height and plant length. A high first pod height was related to a longer plant length and lower harvest losses at both sites. However, a high first pod height and a high plant length did not lead to higher grain yields on any of the plots. These results indicate that harvest efficiency can be improved by choosing varieties with long plant lengths if it is not possible to maintain a low cutting height when harvesting with a combine harvester.

Authors and Affiliations

Mareike Beiküfner, Bianka Hüsing, Dieter Trautz, Insa Kühling

Keywords

Related Articles

Novel Plant Protection Regulation: New Perspectives for Organic Production

So called ’active substances’ (A.S.) which are allowed in Organic Production are regularly criticized for different reasons. Previously, although permitted in Organic Farming some substances were not approved under EU ge...

Strategies towards Evaluation beyond Scientific Impact. Pathways not only for Agricultural Research

Various research fields, like organic agricultural research, are dedicated to solving real-world problems and contributing to sustainable development. Therefore, systems research and the application of interdisciplinary...

Management Options for Organic Winter Wheat Production under Climate Change

An effective adaptive strategy for reducing climate change risks and increasing agro-system resiliency is broadening cropping system diversity, heightening the flexibility of cultivation and tillage methods. Climate chan...

Weeds in Organic Fertility-Building Leys: Aspects of Species Richness and Weed Management

Legume-based leys (perennial sod crops) are an important component of fertility management in organic rotations in many parts of Europe. Despite their importance, however, relatively little is known about how these leys...

Evolutionary Effects on Morphology and Agronomic Performance of Three Winter Wheat Composite Cross Populations Maintained for Six Years under Organic and Conventional Conditions

Three winter wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.) composite cross populations (CCPs) that had been maintained in repeated parallel populations under organic and conventional conditions from the F5 to the F10 were compar...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP550399
  • DOI 10.12924/of2019.05010003
  • Views 101
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Mareike Beiküfner, Bianka Hüsing, Dieter Trautz, Insa Kühling (2019). Comparative Harvest Efficiency of Soybeans between Cropping Systems Affected by First Pod Height and Plant Length. UNKNOWN, 5(1), 3-13. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-550399