2006 Research Summaries

The following projects were funded during 2006-2007.

The Pennsylvania Soybean Board has invested a total of $25,676 in checkoff funds in five research projects for the current fiscal year which ends Sept. 30, 2007.

Here is a summary of the funded projects.

• $4,240 to Dr. Dave Johnson, an associate professor in the Penn State Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, is scientist-in-charge of PSU’s Southeast Research and Extension Center, to explore the possibility that, under normal Pennsylvania conditions, earlier maturing soybean varieties, planted early, could achieve much of the crop’s yield potential prior to the arrival of rust spores later in the season.

Johnson said that many growers in Pennsylvania are interested in both earlier planting and earlier harvest of soybeans and he proposed a two-year project to evaluate early maturing soybeans (0.5 to 1.0 maturity groups) planted earlier than normal and to compare their performance to full season beans. He also wants to determine if weather — temperature and moisture in particular —at various stages of soybean growth affects performance of varieties of different maturity group.

• $9,380 to Dr. Erick DeWolf and colleagues to continue an assessment of the impact of white mold on soybean yield and particularly how row spacing and the “microclimate” within the canopy might affect the spread of fungal diseases such as soybean rust.

• $6,000 to Dr. Greg Roth, PSU agronomist, to direct the annual soybean variety testing program to provide growers with the data on the performance of many soybean varieties on Pennsylvania soils and in Pennsylvania climate. In 2005, there were a total of 111 Roundup Ready full season entries in the two test sites – Lancaster and Centre counties — and yields were “very high.” Also, the tests for 2006 will include two experimental high protein food grade lines from Iowa State University.

• $1,056 to Dr. Douglas Archibald, PSU ag chemist, to continue to evaluate the soybean varieties in the performance trials for oil and protein content. In 2004 and 2005, Archibald and his associates avaluated and reported the oil and protein content of a total of 335 soybean specimens. Those two main nutritional quality parameters are important to buyers of soybeans, bith for food and for feed. The results of the variety trails and of Archibald’s ewvaluations may be found at http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/soyvarietytests,cfm.

• $5,000 to Glen Cauffman and Joseph Perez to continue their evaluation on the Penn State campus of the performance of vegetable and soy-based biodegradable hydraulic fluids. The project involves more than 100 tractors, vehicles and other equipment. Perez, an hydraulic specialist who worked with Caterpillar Tractor for 20 years, said thus far. “all indications are, no problems.”

Three other projects were tabled for future consideration.