Virginia Soybean Performance Tests 2018

This publication is available in a PDF file format only.

The purpose of this publication is to provide performance data of the many soybean varieties offered for sale in Virginia. These data should be of benefit to producers and agribusinesses in making selections of varieties for their use. It is realized that not all varieties that are offered for sale in Virginia are included in these tests. There is no implication that varieties not included are inferior in any way, but only that they have not been tested.

The past year was one characterized by excessive rainfall throughout the season in most regions of Virginia, but every site experienced 2- to 4-week dry spell in late-June through July. Due to multiple rainfall events, especially in August and September, total incident radiation (sunlight) was low. Although average temperatures were not excessive, a much warmer than average fall (plus high rainfall) resulted in greater seed disease than usual; hence, very poor seed quality in the full-season early maturing varieties. Additionally, excessive rainfall events kept seed moisture high after maturity, preventing timely harvest and contributing to poor seed quality. Purple seed stain due to Cercospora kikuchii infection was also quite high in some locations. The lack of sunlight and probably excessive rainfall leading to shallow roots led to good yet lower yields than expected.

Archived Virginia Soybean Performance Test information can be accessed from:  http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/newsletter-archive/soybean-performance-test/index.html