The importance of fertilization in soybeans – starters, phosphorus and nitrogen
In this guide, you will be able to review several starter fertilizer trials in soybeans over several years.
Click here to access the information on fertilization in soybeans
Starters
It is recognized that the probability of maximizing soybean yields increases with early planting. This practice strongly encourages the use of a starter that promotes a quicker start of the plant under less hot soil conditions than a late seeding. A starter containing phosphorus and some nitrogen is beneficial because these two nutrients promote the early development of the roots which in turn stimulates the development of the nodules and the fixation of nitrogen.
Nitrogen in the starter for soybeans
Nitrogen in the starter promotes root development, not to take over the nodules, nor hinder their development, on the contrary. The faster the root system develops, the faster the leaves can become photosynthesized thanks to the contribution of fertilizing elements. Well-developed leaves that can therefore provide sugar to the nodules that in turn provide nitrogen to the plant and so on. Yields are maximized when the nodules are able to supply nitrogen quickly and in greater quantity to the plant.
