Optimal Selection of Soybean Varieties: Why at Least 30% of the Crop Structure Should Include Ultra-Early and Early-Maturing Varieties
This is reported by AgroReview
The analysis of soybean cultivation results in 2025 allows for the identification of several important recommendations that will help farmers reduce risks and increase production efficiency in the upcoming seasons. One of the key pieces of advice from experts is to structure the crops in such a way that at least 30% of the area is occupied by ultra-early and early-maturing soybean varieties. This approach enables an earlier harvest and minimizes losses associated with autumn rainfall.
Advantages of Variety Diversity and Optimizing Sowing
As noted by Lyudmyla Pohorila, a candidate of agricultural sciences at the Institute of Forage and Agriculture of Podillia NAAN, medium-maturing and late-maturing varieties should only be sown if there is stable access to drying facilities and sufficient technical readiness for prompt harvesting. This is especially important in years with increased humidity, when varieties with higher tolerance to fusarium, bacterial diseases, and sclerotinia provide better seed quality, even if the yield is lower.
It is also important to adhere to agronomic recommendations regarding extended sowing periods within acceptable limits. This helps avoid simultaneous ripening over large areas and evenly distribute the load on harvesting equipment, contributing to more efficient harvesting.
Risks of Prolonged Rain and Seed Quality
In the event of the first signs of prolonged rain, experts advise starting the harvest even with increased grain moisture, provided that the drying system is properly adjusted. Otherwise, delays in harvesting often lead to significantly greater losses than the costs of post-harvest processing.
“The seeds from the 2025 harvest require mandatory laboratory analysis. Using infected or weakened seeds can lead to sparse emergence and problems at the start of the growing season. It is essential to sow only the healthiest, treated seeds with high sowing qualities.”
Effective use of quality multi-component fungicidal seed treatments can reduce fusarium damage by more than 10%. The 2025 season once again proved that climatic conditions are becoming increasingly contrasting, and investments in modern varieties, equipment, and drying and storage technologies are essential for stable soybean production.