To achieve high-yielding soybeans, growers need to produce and fill as many pods as possible. But yield really begins with the number of nodes and the subsequent number of flowers set.

Flowering is a crucial part of soybean growth and development. Its beginning marks the first of the reproductive stages and serves as the foundation for pod development and eventual yield. However, abiotic stressors such as drought or high temperatures during this pivotal point in the growing season can take a toll on flowers, causing them to abort and resulting in lower soybean yields.

Secure a strong bloom

Mitigating abiotic stressors like drought and heat is critical for protecting flowers and securing a strong bloom. By taking stress-reducing measures, soybean growers can limit bloom abortion and ensure that more flowers will survive to develop into pods for greater yield potential. Some common stress mitigation strategies include addressing soybean fertility needs, planting at optimal soil temperatures, using high-quality seed and managing pest pressure.

Additionally, an application of a biological foliar product, like SmartFoil^® from Agrauxine by Lesaffre, can also help protect the flower power of soybeans and secure yield. SmartFoil is comprised of plant-balancing metabolites produced from nutrient-rich organic molecules fermented by yeast.

For best results, bloom-protecting biologicals should be applied ahead of flowering to reduce the effects of stress at flowering and amplify metabolic response at the genomic, cellular and physiological levels during this critical stage of development. Easily tank-mixed with other products, SmartFoil also fits perfectly into product application programs for both organic and conventional farming.

Overall, SmartFoil works to secure a strong bloom by reducing abiotic stress and preserves flowering by reducing flower abortions. The result is not only a crop that better withstands nature’s wrath, but also an increased pod count and, ultimately, greater yield potential.