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From seed to harvest
Agronomists describe soybean development with V (vegetative) and R (reproductive) stages. Knowing them helps you time scouting, fungicides and harvest.
The seed
A soybean seed must absorb about half its weight in water to germinate. The first 24–48 hours after planting are the most sensitive: an ice-cold rain during this window can injure the seed (imbibitional chilling).
- Plant into fit soil near or above 50 °F and warming.
- Typical depth: 1–1.5 inches, slightly deeper only to reach moisture.
Emergence
The hypocotyl hooks upward and pulls the cotyledons through the soil (VE). When the unifoliate leaves unroll, the plant is at VC. Crusted soil can stop emergence cold — this is where seed vigor and seedbed matter most.
- Count stands 2–3 weeks after planting.
- Cotyledons feed the seedling for its first week or so.
Vegetative growth
Each fully developed trifoliate leaf adds a V stage. Nodes are where pods will form, so a healthy plant now means more yield sites later. Root nodules start fixing nitrogen with Bradyrhizobium bacteria.
- Scout for weeds early — the critical weed-free period starts soon after emergence.
- Iron deficiency chlorosis shows up as yellow leaves with green veins on high-pH soils.
Flowering
R1 is one open flower anywhere on the main stem; R2 is an open flower at one of the top two nodes. Shortening nights trigger flowering, which is why maturity group is tied to latitude. Most varieties keep growing new nodes while they flower.
- White mold infects through flowers in cool, humid canopies.
- Scouting for leaf diseases ramps up from here.
Pod set
R3 is a 3/16-inch pod at one of the top four nodes; R4 is a ¾-inch pod there. Stress now — drought, hail, disease — reduces pod number, the biggest driver of yield.
- R3 is the common timing for foliar fungicide decisions.
- Watch stink bugs and defoliators in the South.
Seed fill
At R5 seeds begin to swell; by R6 green seeds fill the pod cavity. The plant moves nutrients from leaves into seed — this is when canopy health pays off in seed size.
- SDS leaf symptoms often appear around R3–R6.
- Water demand peaks during pod and seed fill.
Harvest
R7 is one pod with mature color; at R8, 95% of pods are mature. Leaves drop and seeds dry down quickly in good weather — often to harvest moisture within about 5–10 days after R8.
- Target about 13% moisture; very dry beans shatter and lose weight.
- Fall is the best time to soil sample for SCN.
What's inside a 60-lb bushel?
When a bushel is crushed, it yields roughly 11 lb of oil and about 47 lb of high-protein meal, with the rest in hulls and moisture. Meal feeds poultry, pigs, cattle and fish; oil becomes cooking oil, biodiesel and renewable diesel, and industrial products.
Approximate, varies with seed composition and processing.
Animal feed
Soybean meal is a leading protein source for livestock and aquaculture.
Oil & fuel
Cooking oil, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Food
Tofu, soy milk, edamame, miso and soy sauce.
Industry
Inks, foams, lubricants and bio-based materials.
Every stage starts with the right seed.
Find varieties matched to your region and priorities.