Monitor Your Soybean Fields at Every Step

Real-time photos from your soybean fields

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Soybean: Key Facts

Height

8 to 80 inches (20 cm to 2 m)

Yield per acre

53 bushels per acre (3564 kg per hectare) on average

Pollination

Most varieties are self-pollinating; some require insects like bees for pollination

Roots

Taproot system with a short primary root of 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) and lateral roots going 5-6.5 feet (1.5-2 m) deep.

Irrigation needs

20-26 inches (51-66 cm)

Geography

Grows best in China, India, the US, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Ukraine (Europe's largest soybean producer).

Climate

Temperate climate with moderate temperatures and well-distributed rainfall.

Season

May-July

Growth cycle duration

70-250 days

Soil

Well-drained loam or sandy loam soils.

6.0-7.0

Growth temperature

72°F (22°C) to 86°F (30°C)

Storage temperature

35°F (1.6°C) to 60°F (4.4°C)

Common types

Yellow soybeans: The biggest and the most widely grown group; commonly used for soybean oil and processed products like tofu, soymilk, and miso.
Green soybeans (edamame): Early-harvested beans commonly used as snacks and for soy flour production.
Black soybeans: Typically used for making simmered soybeans, sauces, dips, soups, and fermented foods.
Red and brown soybeans: Less common, usually used for traditional Asian dishes and specific fermented products.
Clear hilum soybeans: Varieties with a less pigmented or transparent hilum (the mark where the seed was attached to the pod). While seed color can vary, their light hilum doesn’t leave dark spots during processing, making them preferred for light-colored foods like soy milk or tofu.

Soybean Phenophases and Signs to Look Out For

Seed germination

When the seed absorbs at least 50% of its weight in water, the primary root (radicle) starts growing, and the seed begins sprouting, pulling cotyledons up through the soil.

Common threats and diseases: Seedling diseases like Fusarium and Pythium; pests like seed corn maggot and wireworms.

Signs to watch: Delayed or uneven emergence, rotting seeds.

Emergence (VE)

The cotyledons emerge and become visible above the soil surface.

Common threats and diseases: Soil-borne diseases; pests (cutworms, wireworms).

Signs to watch: Poor or uneven emergence, soil crusting.

First node (V1)

In the Fehr and Caviness method of determining the vegetative growth stage, this step means the leaves at unifoliolate nodes have fully developed. Rhizobium bacteria start forming root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia (nitrogen fixation), which is necessary for better yield.

Common threats and diseases: Damping-off diseases, pests like cutworms and root maggots.

Signs to watch: Stunted growth, yellowing or wilting leaves.

Second node (V2)

The plant has two fully developed trifoliolates. Lateral roots are growing, and nitrogen fixation becomes more active.

Common threats and diseases: Weeds

Signs to watch: Weed competition, early signs of nutrient deficiencies.

Third node (V3)

The plant has three fully developed trifoliolates.

Common threats and diseases: Fungal diseases; pests (aphids, spider mites).

Signs to watch: Signs of nutrient deficiencies or pest damage.

Nth node (Vn)

The plant continues to develop additional nodes and leaves. Typically, between V4 and V6, flower buds start developing.

Common threats and diseases: Fungal diseases, pests like aphids and spider mites.

Signs to watch: Proper leaf and node development; monitor for any signs of nutrient deficiencies or pest damage.

The process of tracking vegetative stages depends on the chosen method:

In the hybrid method, you count the number of open trifoliolates on the main stem, and that number corresponds with the number of the stage.
In the Fehr and Caviness method, more commonly used in farming, you count certain leaf nodes. The node is counted when the leaf at the node directly above it is fully open.

Beginning bloom (R1)

Flowering begins on the main stem, between the 3rd and the 6th nodes. The stage is considered started when there is at least one open flower on the main stem.

Common threats and diseases: Pests and diseases affecting flowers; white mold.

Signs to watch: Flower damage, white mold on flowers.

Full bloom (R2)

White or purple flowers open on the uppermost nodes, and flowering on the branches starts.

Common threats and diseases: Flower diseases; pests (Japanese beetles).

Signs to watch: Flower drop or pest damage.

Beginning pod (R3)

The pod is visible at one of the top four nodes with fully developed leaves on the main stem. The plant can still develop new flowers and buds.

Common threats and diseases: Pod diseases, pests.

Signs to watch: Pod discoloration, presence of white mold.

Full pod (R4)

This stage is characterized by rapid pod growth and peaking nitrogen uptake. While there are multiple pods of different sizes at this point, consider monitoring the ones on the uppermost four nodes for more accurate stage assessment.

Common threats and diseases: Pod diseases, pests.

Signs to watch: Deformities or signs of disease.

Beginning seed (R5)

Common threats and diseases: Pests, white mold, SDS (sudden death syndrome).

Signs to watch: Seed damage, white mold, signs of SDS (scattered yellow to brown spots between veins; curled leaves).

Full seed (R6)

Seeds in the pod have reached full size—and begin to mature into beans—at one of the top four nodes on the main stem.

Common threats and diseases: Pests (rodents); fungal infections.

Signs to watch: Signs of pest damage, fungal infections.

Beginning maturity (R7)

This stage is identified when at least one mature-colored pod (tan or brown) is found on the main stem.

Common threats and diseases: Premature pod shattering; late-season diseases.

Signs to watch: Premature pod shattering.

Full maturity (R8)

All pods have reached full maturity and their mature color. However, the ideal harvesting time depends not only on color but also on moisture levels.

Common threats and diseases: Pest infestations.

Signs to watch: Signs of pest damage.

Harvesting*

The optimal time to harvest soybean is when the moisture content is about 13%, which ensures efficient storage, but it can also start at 20% to reduce seed damage. Harvesting should start when the pods are fully matured, but before significant shattering occurs.

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Common types

Red soybeans

Yellow soybeans

Green soybeans

Black soybeans

Clear hilum soybeans

Always data-based: Explore our clients’ results

Canada

Detecting diseases in soybean fields

Soybean, 25 July 2024

Soybean, 10 August 2024

Soybean, 20 August 2024

Cropler’s camera recorded small, weakly seen foci of soybean leaf lesions, looking like purple cercosporosis, septoriosis, or another disease. Over time, as observations continued, it became clear that the disease was progressing rapidly.
Each day, the number of affected leaves increased, and the lesions became more extensive and visible.

Outcome: Due to daily real-time photo monitoring, farmers were able to analyze the situation and make smart agricultural decisions based on real hard plant data.