The time of harvesting soybeans for hay and seed
1925
Willard, C.J.
Yields of soybean at different periods of maturity were obtained by harvesting each week eight 16-foot rows of soybeans on uniform land. The greatest dry weight yield obtainable at one cutting is secured by cutting when one-fourth the leaves appear yellow. It is not practical to cut for hay at this stage because of difficulty in curing. The maximum green weight is reached one to two weeks earlier than the maximum dry weight. The weight of leaves increases until the beans are well formed, remains nearly constant for about three weeks, and then decreases rapidly. The percentage of leaves in the hay decreases steadily from blooming time to full maturity. When the beans are well formed the hay contains about 60% of leaves and about 50% when the beans appear half grown. The weight of stems reaches a maximum when the beans are well formed and remains constant thereafter. The percentage of stems in the hay decreases until half the leaves have dropped, then increases sharply. The yield of seed increases slowly at first, then very rapidly for one or two weeks, then more slowly until maturity. About 40% of the mature crop is seed. In practice, soybeans should be cut for hay from the time the beans are well formed until the beans are half grown. These conclusions apply to soybeans of the determinate high-seed-producing type such as Manchu, Midwest, Ito San, and Mammoth. It is probable that they apply in general to vining varieties such as Wilson, Arlington, and Virginia, but this has not been determined.
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