Fertilizer application rates and recommendation for soybeans

Soybean is a high-protein crop. The grain contains 33-42% protein and 17-20% fat. When growing soybeans, optimal nutrition from the beginning of development to the end of the growing season is of great importance.

The need for nutrients is determined by the biological characteristics of soybeans. At the beginning of the growing season, it develops slowly. From the emergence of seedlings to flowering, it needs few nutrients: 18% nitrogen, 15% phosphorus and 25% potassium. As the flowering phase approaches, the crop’s requirements for nutritional conditions increase. In the period from flowering to the mass filling of beans, soybeans have the greatest need for nutrients: it absorbs them by 65% of the total yield. During the growing season, the nitrogen content in soybean plants almost does not change, and the phosphorus content gradually increases. The highest potassium content is observed during the flowering period. Compared to other crops, soybean takes out a lot of nitrogen with the harvest. For the formation of 1 ton of grain and the corresponding mass of straw, 70-75 kg of nitrogen, 18-20 kg of phosphorus, and 20-25 kg of potassium are removed from the soil.

Soybeans, like peas, satisfy 50-60% of their nitrogen needs as a result of its fixation from the atmosphere. Nitrogen fixation begins 3-4 weeks after sowing and continues until the seeds mature. However, at the first stages of growth and development, plants are not able to fully provide themselves with nitrogen. Therefore (especially in cold, protracted springs) the crop needs additional nitrogen nutrition. That is why it has such a positive reaction to the introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Soybeans develop slowly at the beginning of the growing season, the root system is still weak, and foliar fertilization with mixtures of microelements is of particular importance for the formation of the future harvest. The technology of soybean nutrition is based on foliar treatment in critical stages of growth, when there is the greatest need for nutrients.

For soybeans, the most important trace elements are boron, molybdenum, magnesium, zinc and copper.

Fertilizers containing boron: Wonder Leaf Mono B 11 (B-11%), or Wonder Leaf Mono B 120 (B-9%), or Wonder Leaf Pink (B-20%) improve the supply of nitrogen to the plant (yield increase from boron application – 2-4 c/ha). It significantly affects carbohydrate and protein metabolism and other biochemical processes in plants. Due to its lack, the transition of carbohydrates and starch from leaves to other organs is disrupted, resulting in the inhibition of photosynthesis, the root system is not sufficiently supplied with carbohydrates, which impairs its development. Boron plays an important role in the development of reproductive organs. It almost does not move from the lower part of the plant to the point of growth, that is, it cannot be reused. This microelement increases drought resistance and salt resistance of plants. Boron deficiency is aggravated by excessive application of potash fertilizers and lime. Hormonal starvation is accompanied by a disturbance of carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

Wonder Leaf Mono Mo 3 (Mo-3%) is an integral part of nitrate reductase enzymes which are involved in the reduction of nitrates to ammonia in the cells of roots and leaves. If this element is lacking, a lot of nitrates accumulate in plant tissues, their recovery is delayed, resulting in disruption of nitrogen metabolism, so after applying nitrate fertilizers, the plants’ need for molybdenum is much higher than after the use of ammonia fertilizers. In addition, under the influence of molybdenum, ammonia is more intensively absorbed by the plant for the formation of amino acids and proteins.

Molybdenum participates in redox reactions and plays an important role in the transfer of electrons from the substrate that is oxidized to the substance that is reduced. Also, this element is involved in carbohydrate exchange and phosphorous metabolism, synthesis of vitamins and chlorophyll, improves plant nutrition with calcium, iron absorption. Especially effective is the use of molybdenum on acidic soils.

Magnesium in Wonder Leaf MgS 16-32 (MgO-16, SO3-32, Mn-0.007 w/w %) is part of the main pigment of green leaves – chlorophyll. Magnesium supports the structure of ribosomes by binding RNA and protein. The large and small ribosomal subunits interact together only in the presence of magnesium which is also required for the formation of polysomes and activation of amino acids. Therefore, with a lack of magnesium, and even more so in its absence, protein synthesis does not occur. Magnesium is an activator of many enzymes. Its important feature is that it binds the enzyme to the substrate by the type of chelate bond (pincer -like bond between an organic substance and a cation). Thus, by attaching to the pyrophosphate group, magnesium binds ATP with the corresponding enzymes. In this regard, all reactions involving the transfer of a phosphate group (most synthesis reactions, as well as many reactions of energy exchange) require the presence of magnesium. This element activates such enzymes as DNA and RNA polymerases , adenosine triphosphatase, glutamate synthetase ; enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a carboxyl group – carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions; enzymes of glycolysis and Krebs cycle, lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation. In a number of cases, the effect of magnesium on enzymes is that it interacts with reaction products, disturbing the balance towards their formation. Magnesium can also inactivate a number of inhibitors of enzymatic reactions.

Wonder Leaf Mono Zn 8 (Zn-8 % chelate) affects the total content of carbohydrates, starch and protein substances. It plays a major role in redox reactions of respiration, regulation of ATP synthesis, auxin and RNA metabolism.

Zinc has a positive effect on the heat resistance of plants and the formation of seeds in dry conditions, and also contributes to the accumulation of organic acids in flowers, which act as protective substances. In addition, this element increases the resistance of plants to cold.

The lack of zinc disrupts protein synthesis and its content in plants decreases. This is explained by the fact that due to its lack, amides and amino acids, that is, soluble nitrogen compounds, accumulate in plants. High rates of phosphorus and lime, low soil temperature prevent zinc assimilation.

In order to avoid zinc deficiency in soybeans, we recommend using Wonder Leaf Blue fertilizer. Application rate – 2-3 kg/ha.

Wonder Leaf Mono Cu 6 (Cu-6% chelate) is a part of oxidizing enzymes (polyphenol oxidase , ascorbin oxidase , lactase, dehydrogenase), which are of great importance in the oxidizing processes occurring in plants. This element increases the intensity of plant respiration.

An insufficient amount of copper in plants reduces the activity of synthesis processes and leads to the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, amino acids and other decomposition products of complex organic substances. The element also plays an important role in the processes of photosynthesis: it gives chlorophyll greater stability. A characteristic feature of copper is that it increases the resistance of plants to fungal and bacterial diseases. With a lack of this element, the growth of generative organs is inhibited, the intensity of photosynthesis decreases. Lack of copper occurs due to soil calcification, high soil and air temperatures.

The most critical phases in the development of soybeans are the three-leaflet phase ( VVSN 13-14), budding ( VVSN 51-59) and the formation of beans ( VVSN 71-79). When applying foliar fertilization in the first two phases, you can influence the formation of the crop, and when applying foliar fertilization during the phase of formation and pouring of beans, you can improve the quality of the grain, i.e. increase the amount of protein and oil.

The first important stage in the development of soybeans is phase of 3-4 trifoliate leaves ( VVSN 13-14). Application during this period of foliar feeding with complexes of macro- and microelements in a form accessible to plants:

• Crystalline:

1. Wonder Leaf Blue (N:P:K-10:53:10 + Zn-2 chelate , w/w %);
2. Wonder Leaf Red (N:P:K-10:20:30 + B-2, w/w %);
3. Wonder Leaf Yellow (N:P:K-21:21:21 + chelates : Cu-0.5, Mn-0.5, Zn-0.5, w/w %);
4. Wonder Leaf Violet (N:P:K-30:10:10 + SO3-15, Mo-0.5, w/w %).

• Liquid:

1. Wonder Leaf Wonder Macro (N:P:K-10:10:10 + MgO-0.5, amino acids-3, organic acids-1, w/w %).

The introduction of biostimulants based on amino acids, phytohormones, steroids and vitamins will make it possible to optimize the main physiological processes, stimulate photosynthesis and the development of root system, increase the use of nutrients from the soil by the plants, Wonder Leaf Amino 43 (amino acids of vegetable origin-43%, w/w %) and Wonder Leaf Green (amino acids of plant origin – 15% + ME formula developed for the dicotyledonous group, w/w %) will help.

In order to activate the activity of nodular bacteria, it is worth noting that the introduction of molybdenum Wonder Leaf Mono Mo 3 (Mo-3%), which accelerates the assimilation of nitrogen, is an effective method of increasing soybean productivity at this stage, since the rudiments of the side shoots and inflorescences are laid. All these processes take place more intensively when the plant is able to absorb the maximum amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Due to the influence of various negative factors, the assimilation slows down, however, the influence of biotic and abiotic factors can be reduced by timely introduction of microelement complexes on the leaf.

During the period of budding and flowering (VVSN 51-69), the symbiotic activity of soybean crops reaches its maximum. Plants are provided with nitrogen as much as possible, but at this time it is necessary to apply Wonder boron Leaf Mono B 11 (B-11%), or Wonder Leaf Mono B 120 (B-9%), or Wonder Leaf Pink (B-20%) to stimulate pollination and development of reproductive organs.

At the late stages of reproductive development, in the phase of bean formation (VVSN 71-79), in connection with the beginning of the outflow of nutrients from the leaves to the seeds, soybean sharply reduces the activity of the root system. Foliar fertilization during this period extends the life of the photosynthetic apparatus, contributes to the accumulation of biomass and, as a result, increases yields.