Soy beans

              NHIT IT$GCO COLLE}E OF AGIIICULTURE ,'ii.JD iiECH.iilIC ;i]TTS
:iND .|GRICULTUR.,L E(P,llltilvifi'n,S'lirTION
Press Bulletin 180
SOY BE|NS
Some dlfficu-lty has been encountered in the X.iesi-l-la Valley as well as in sonae other localities in the production of soy beans. The first irrportant feature in the
producti-on of this crolr is good seed, and considerable cli-ffieulty is encountered, in
securing it. The seed therefore should be tested by placing ln a pan a damp soil in
a warn place to determine hour much will gerud-nate. If less than 806 good seed is
found, either better seed should be secured or a larger arnount in .proportion to the quality should be planted.
The seed bed should be in the best condition for the spr.outs of soy heans are
very tender and any obstacles such as lui.rps, stones or crust on the surface of the
ground will roaterially irnpede the groeth. Seed. should be ptanted fron one inch ro one
and one-half j.nches deep in the heavier soils and 2 to 2 i/Z inches deep in sandy soil
Irrigation vsater should be air.:r1ied before plant,ing so that a crrst wili not form afier
the seed has been ,olanted. This is i':itportairt.
Soy beans may be planted in rons 2 L/2 to J feet apart or nray be drilled or
broadcasted. Planting in rows and cultivating lvill give the best returns in seed,
but for feeding purposes, the entj.re ground ma;r be covered. lfhen planting in roi,'rs
about 60 pouhds per acre will give good results. If planted bnoacleast, considerahrle
morer about ilO pounds should be sovun. The roots of soy beans arc not deep, usually
not nore than 30 inches so that frequent shallow irrigatlons are preferred t,o heavy irrigations and at longer intervals. This is usuall)'tnre j_f the crop j_s planted
on the sandi-er soi1s.
It y*i1-1 be found exceedingl;r beneficial to cuJtlvate the soy beans when they are planted in ro*.s. This should be done tr,ro or three tj_nres during lhe earty part of the
-groryang seasonr both to break any cmst that nray forvn and to k-ep out vrelas. It id1l
be found nost beneficial to cultivate as soon as the soir is drl' enough after tion. irriga-
The s.oy bean plant ls a legrrn:e and ls therefore a nitrogen gatherer for the soi1. If properly handled it should leave the soil in better condition than before. ?his
_is particularly trte of sertdy soil which is generally sof,reyrhat deficient in nitrogen.
The crop usualJ-y does well on the lighter soils as conpared with the heavier soi1i.
Soy beans mature in fron 90 to ll5 days. They nay be plantcd any tine after
the clanger of the last killing frost is passed. The crop on the mesa 1and at tire
College vras planted on i'{ay e5tfr. $lightly more than 30 Lushets of seed to the acre
ruere produced on this soil where the seeding wiis ai:out 60 pounds to the acre in rorr,rs J feet apart.
Rabbits and, gophers are particularly fond of the young beans and if there j-s
danger frorn these pests, it irill be vre}l to plant cnough for yor,.rself snd the pests
e1so.
A li'rited anount of seed 1s cn hand anrl will be Clstributcd j.n srali cluantities at narket prices.
Rex E, ';'{il-Iard,
Soil Physlcist