Pod numbers

I'm getting some interesting results from pod number counts across populations. Pod numbers, and more precisely seed numbers, along with seed size make up the equation that determines seed yield. The following numbers are examples of what I have seen so far in locations where our recommended seeding rates were different than those rates that were utilized by the producer.


Location 1

Producer

Seeding Rate: 140,000
Plant Stand: 116,800
Pods per 10' sample: 1,648
Pods per plant: 49


University

Seeding Rate: 120,000
Plant Stand: 91,200
Pods per 10' sample: 1,428
Pods per plant: 55


Location 2

Producer

Seeding Rate: 150,000
Plant Stand: 114,800
Pods per 10' sample: 1,540
Pods per plant: 47


University

Seeding Rate: 120,000
Plant Stand: 96,840
Pods per 10' sample: 1,720
Pods per plant: 62


Location 3

Producer

Seeding Rate: 169,000
Plant Stand: 122,700
Pods per 10' sample: 1406
Pods per plant: 40


University 1

Seeding Rate: 140,000
Plant Stand: 112,740
Pods per 10' sample: 1300
Pods per plant: 40

University 2

Seeding Rate: 140,000
Plant Stand: 99,900
Pods per 10' sample: 1164
Pods per plant: 41

Again, pod numbers are only part of the equation that goes into making yield. It will be very interesting to see the results from seed weights and of course yield. This will help us to further our knowledge as to how and why soybean plants compensate for lower plant populations and what the limiting factors are for yield.