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Precipitation affects protein and oil in soybeansMarch 01, 2010
Posted by:
Kevin Ryan, Regional Sales Agronomist
Rainfall is just one of the factors that can affect protein and oil content in soybeans. Other factors that will affect protein and oil content are the soybean varieties genetic potential, environmental conditions or stresses (both temperature and moisture) and general farming practices.
You may have noticed increased soybean yields this year due to increased moisture levels in your area. Temperatures may also have been cooler than normal, which would also decrease the effect of environmental stress. Good growing conditions and the lack of environmental stresses increased soybean yields due to the increase in the number of seeds produced by the plant and an increase in seed size. Anything that decreases stress during the seed fill stage will increase yield from the number of seeds produced per plant and an increase in soybean seed size. You can expect an increase in both protein and oil content under these conditions.
A key point to remember is with any increase in yield, protein and oil content from favorable environmental conditions, any adverse environmental conditions can also decrease the same physiological factors affecting yield and therefore protein and oil content.
Each soybean variety has an estimated protein and oil content based on its genetics. Although environmental conditions that affect yield can also affect protein and oil content, most growers today are being paid on soybean bushels delivered to the elevator. There may be contracts available in some locations that pay a premium for protein or oil content. If those contracts are available you should look for varieties that would meet those requirements. Selection of the highest yielding varieties will always be in your best interest.
