Effect of Planting Date On MG VII Soybean Following Barley and Wheat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of planting date on maturity group (MG) VII soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] following barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The research was conducted at Clemson University, Edisto Research and Education Center (REC) located near Blackville, South Carolina from 2008 to 2010. Wheat and barley were planted in the fall of 2008 and 2009. Soybean was planted every week for five weeks following barley and wheat harvest in 2009 and 2010. During soybean vegetation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and leaf area index (LAI) were used to evaluate the crop growth. Generally, yield potential can be improved if soybeans are planted after barley, which are usually harvested earlier than wheat crop. Early planting dates increased plant NDVI, LAI, time from planting to reproductive (R) stages, and grain yields.