When should soybeans be planted?

Soybeans require sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizer. The growth cycle can be divided into germination stage, seedling stage, branching stage, flowering stage, pod setting stage, filling stage and maturity stage. Soybean is a light-loving crop that requires sufficient sunlight to ensure photosynthesis, especially during the flowering and pod-setting stages. So when should soybeans be planted?

When should soybeans be planted?

The sowing time of soybeans varies according to the planting season and region, and is mainly divided into spring sowing, summer sowing, autumn sowing and winter sowing:

1. Spring sowing soybeans

Spring-sown soybeans are usually sown from late April to early May and are suitable for planting under conditions of suitable spring temperatures and good soil moisture. In Northeast China, the sowing time of spring soybeans generally starts at the end of April and lasts until early May.

2. Summer soybeans

Summer-sown soybeans are generally sown in mid-June and are suitable for planting under conditions of high summer temperatures and abundant rainfall. The summer soybean type in the Huanghuaihai region is sown in June after the wheat harvest and matures in September to early October.

3. Autumn sowing soybeans

The sowing time for autumn-sown soybeans is around mid-to-late August, and the harvest is in November.

4. Winter soybean planting

In some areas with high temperatures and no frost all year round, winter soybeans are also planted. The planting time is November and the harvest is in March or April of the following year.

Soybean sowing precautions

1. Temperature control

Soybeans prefer warm environments and cannot tolerate low temperatures. When sowing in spring, you need to ensure that the soil temperature reaches at least 15°C. Too low a temperature may cause seeds to rot and affect the uniformity of germination. In many areas, there is a saying that "plant melons and beans around Qingming Festival", which means that it should be planted after the temperature rises to a suitable level for sowing. Sowing too early may result in planting failure due to failure to meet germination conditions.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

Although soybeans do not require high soil fertility, in order to obtain higher yields, fertile, organic-rich and well-breathed soil is necessary. When planting soybeans after wheat is harvested, the wheat straw can be crushed and returned to the field. Applying organic fertilizer and tilling with a rotary tiller can help improve soil fertility. When sowing, seed fertilizer should be separated. Diammonium phosphate is usually used as seed fertilizer, with a dosage of about 25 kg, and the sowing depth is controlled at about 10 cm. If the distance between seeds and fertilizer is too close, the dosage should be reduced to about 8 kilograms per mu.

3. Rhizobium seed dressing

Select high-quality seeds and use rhizobium agents to treat the seeds before sowing to promote soybean growth. One acre of soybean seeds can be mixed with 500 grams of rhizobium agent. After mixing, place the seeds in a cool place to dry before sowing, avoiding direct sunlight. Soybean seeds can also be mixed with micro-fertilizers such as ammonium molybdate and borax, or coated with seed dressing agents.

4. Herbicide use

After soybean sowing, pre-emergence herbicides can be applied, such as 250 ml of 50% sethoxydim emulsifiable concentrate per acre. Note that it is not advisable to use herbicides with long residual periods, such as bensulfuron, chlorpyrifos, and clomazone, on subsequent crops. After soybean seedlings emerge, you can use 80 ml/mu of quizalofop-PhD or 30 ml/mu of 10.8% high-efficiency cypermethrin emulsifiable concentrate.

5. Loosening the soil

If conditions permit, inter-row cultivation and loosening of the soil can improve soil permeability, help retain moisture and remove weeds. Intertillage can also promote the formation of early rhizobia in soybean seedlings. Frequent intertillage can help the roots penetrate deep into the soil and enhance drought resistance.

In short, the sowing time of soybeans needs to be determined according to your region and climatic conditions to ensure that soybeans can grow in the most suitable environment.