Fertilizer Recommendations For Soybean

This guide provides recommendations for fertilizer use and lime application to optimize the profitability of soybean production in Nebraska.

Soybean production in Nebraska has expanded to 5.6 million ac/yr. During the past 30 years, the mean yield increase has been 0.49 bu/ac/yr for irrigated and 0.38 bu/ac/yr for rainfed production. The 2018 mean yield is 66 bu/ac for irrigated and 51 bu/ac for rainfed soybean. In general, the fertilizer requirements for soybean are less than for corn, sorghum, and wheat. Soybean yield increases in Nebraska are observed mostly with fertilizer phosphorus. In eastern and central Nebraska, lime application is required to optimize yield potential on some soils. Along the Platte River, in western Nebraska, and for calcareous soil in northeastern Nebraska, lime-induced iron deficiency chlorosis is often a concern. Soil tests occasionally indicate a need for potassium or zinc fertilizers.