Crops

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Soybeans

Published:

August 21, 2024

Key Takeaways:

Soybeans are resilient, they can grow in different climates and don’t require extensive pre-planting preparations.
Soya plants prefer well-drained soil and relatively high humidity. They should be sown no deeper than 1.5 inches (4 cm), and the standard rows’ width is 30 inches (76 cm).
Soya requires a reduced amount of nitrogen fertilizers, but phosphorus and sulfur may still be needed.

Regardless of the size of your farm, soybeans can be an excellent investment. The soya plant is a fairly undemanding crop, one which can give high yields for relatively low investments. Better yet, global demand for soybean crops continues to rise every year, with the market expected to nearly double in size across the next decade. If anything, signs point to soya becoming one of the staple crops of the 21st century.

Cropler is here to support your fields with smart agricultural tools. So, let's talk about what it takes to grow soybeans from seed, and see the best yields from your harvest.

Soybean Basics

Overall difficulty: Easy
Temperature range: 72°F (22°C) to 95°F (35°C)
pH range: 6.0-7.5
Watering: 20 in (510 mm) to 26 in (660 mm)
Humidity: 60-75%
Fertilizer: May need phosphorus or sulfur
Planting: May-July
Density: 100,000 plants per acre
Growth time: 100-130 days
Storage temperature: 35°F (1.6°C) to 60°F (4.4°C)

Keep in mind that due to the wide range of climates soya beans can grow in, the specifics may vary depending on your location.

Environmental Conditions Needed to Cultivate Soybeans

The growing conditions for soybeans are fairly simple, and they don't require a lot of care once planted. The key is the right timing and appropriate environment, and then they will largely thrive on their own.

Climate. Soya beans are remarkably hardy and can grow in a wide range of temperatures. They can thrive in a growing season as cool as 72°F (22°C) and as warm as 95°F (35°C). Because of this, they can be grown anywhere from cooler climates like North America to tropical and subtropical regions. As long as there's a reasonably warm summer, and enough water to keep them hydrated, they should grow with little trouble. Soya plants can even theoretically be grown in colder conditions, although their development will be slowed. Soybeans will be harmed by frost, so harvest must come before winter.
Soil and Nutrients. Another positive aspect of cultivating soybeans is that, as legumes, they are capable of obtaining nitrogen from the atmosphere. This means that the need for nitrogen fertilizers is greatly reduced. Soybeans can be an excellent rotational crop, followed by nitrogen-hungry crops like winter wheat, which will appreciate the nutritious soil left behind by the soya. The soil should ideally be loamy and rich in organic matter because soybeans benefit from bacteria in the ground. The optimal soil pH is 6.0-7.5, and high acidity (pH 4.5 or lower) can be toxic. For these reasons, artificial fertilizers should be avoided, as they can increase soil acidity and kill the bacteria that soybeans need to thrive. Look for natural fertilizers which will add phosphorus and sulfur, as needed.
Water and Humidity. Soybeans have shallow roots, so they must be planted in soil that is capable of retaining water near the surface. Avoid sand, gravel, or shallow soils. However, the soil should still be well-drained, so the plants do not drown. Over the course of its growing season, your soybean crop will need between 20 inches (510 mm) and 26 inches (660 mm) of water. Whether this comes from rain or irrigation should not make a substantial difference. Be particularly concerned about water levels in August, which can be dry. If the seeds are filling and enlarging, drought will harm their development. Humidity should be relatively high as well, anywhere from 60-75%. Consider 40% the bare minimum for an optimal harvest. Soya beans can grow in lower humidity, but the beans will be brittle and more prone to cracking during harvest, especially when using mechanical harvesting methods.

How to Plant Soybeans

Pre-Planting. Preparation to cultivate soybeans is minimal as well. The method of tilling does not matter, and soya beans can even be planted with cheaper no-till methods without any substantial impact on their yield. Likewise, there's no strict requirement on how wide their rows should be. 30 inches (76 cm) is considered standard, although some have seen greater success with closer rows. Treating the seeds with pesticides and fungicides is recommended.
Timing. Soybean crops can tolerate a wide range of planting timeframes. In North America, they can be planted any time between May and July, although late May to early June is most common. In particularly cool regions, April planting may even be possible. As mentioned above, temperatures are a factor here. The colder the summers, the earlier soybeans should be planted to ensure they are fully grown before frost becomes a threat.
Planting Methods. Soybean plants can thrive regardless of the tilling method. Many farms prefer no-till options, as they are less labor-intensive. Seeds should be planted relatively close together, at most 6 inches (15 cm) apart, so that their canopies can form a barrier against pests. The seeds should be planted shallowly, no deeper than 1.5 inches (4 cm). The optimal planting density will be around 100,000 plants per acre. After sowing, they should be lightly covered with soil and thoroughly moistened—but not soaked—with warm water. It's recommended to sow around 25% more seeds than the number of plants you expect to grow, to account for seed survival rates.
Companion Plants. Since soybean crops can fix nitrogen, they pair well with almost any plant that demands high levels of this nutrient. Crops such as corn, potatoes, cucumbers, and tomatoes are all popular options. However, almost any nitrogen-hungry plant could be used here, based on your needs and market.
Growth Times. Typically, soya plants require between 100-130 days to fully mature. Day length is an important factor here. Longer days will delay flowering and lead to higher plants with more nodes. On the other hand, shorter days speed up flowering, especially among late-maturing soya species.
Soybean Pests and Diseases. Nearly all pod-feeding pests can be a threat, especially grasshoppers, stink bugs, and bean leaf beetles. If these get into your crops, you'll see shriveled, discolored, or undersized plants. Integrated pest management techniques are typically best, although conventional pesticides may be called for if more than 10-15% of pods are damaged by pests. Disease is less of a concern. While there are many diseases that can potentially affect soy crops, they typically do not damage crop yields substantially unless multiple diseases attack at once.

Harvesting and Storage

Soybeans are ready to harvest once the leaves turn brown and fall off, revealing the matured pods. As long as the beans receive proper humidity, as mentioned above, they can be harvested with combines without issue.

Once harvested, they should be stored in low humidity, below 15%, to prevent mold growth. Storage temperatures of 35°F-40°F (1.6°C-4.4°C) in the winter and 40°F-60°F (4.4°C-15.5°C) in the summer are recommended.

When you have questions, we'll help you find the answers you need to take control of your fields and the harvest you care about. Contact Cropler to discover more about our products and the ways we help you proactively protect your operations from the effects of crop diseases. Discover More

Optimizing Your Soya Yields With Technology

While growing soybeans from seed is easier than with many crops, they are still sensitive to heat, moisture, and pests. For best results, you need a way to monitor your fields on a daily basis, which is exactly what Cropler can provide!

Cropler’s system brings modern, smart surveillance to fields around the world! Our agri-cameras are entirely solar-powered and rated to withstand a wide variety of environmental conditions. These cameras feed visuals and data straight into a cloud-based web platform, which allows you to see and track the condition of your field day-by-day, year-by-year, from anywhere.

Click here to learn more about how Cropler works, and how it can substantially increase your crop yields. Or contact us directly, and we’ll answer all your questions.