Soybeans - Raw Seed (lb)

Glycine max provides warm-season nitrogen fixation in periods when cool-season peas, vetches, and clovers are not the best fit. Soybeans grow most vigorously after the soil has warmed, producing an upright summer canopy that can reach approximately 3 feet. They are useful for occupying open ground between crops, adding legume biomass, and introducing a different rooting pattern into a warm-season rotation.

Plant soybeans in full sun with adequate moisture and good drainage. They can be grown alone or combined with faster-covering species such as buckwheat. In a mixture, balance the seeding rates so companion plants do not shade the young soybeans before they are established. Under favorable conditions, a well-nodulated soybean stand can contribute substantial nitrogen, but actual fixation varies with soil conditions, plant growth, inoculation, and the timing of termination.

This is raw, uninoculated seed. Treat it with soybean-specific inoculant immediately before planting, particularly where soybeans have not recently been grown. Successful inoculation allows compatible Rhizobium bacteria to form nodules on the roots and support nitrogen fixation. For green manure or forage, terminate while stems remain manageable and before mature seed develops. If maximizing nitrogen contribution is the goal, allow the plants to establish strong vegetative growth before termination.

• Scientific Name: Glycine max
• Growth Cycle: Warm-season annual legume
• Application Rate: 2–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft or 40–90 lb per acre
• Inoculant: Strongly recommended for effective nodulation and nitrogen fixation, especially where soybeans have not recently been grown. Use Soybean Inoculant (treats 300 lb) and plant promptly after treating the seed.
• Plant Height: Approximately 36 inches
• Days to Maturity: Approximately 60–75 days
• Site Preference: Warm conditions, full sun, adequate moisture, and well-drained soil
• Uses: Nitrogen fixation, warm-season green manure, biomass, forage, hay, silage, and mixed cover crop plantings
• Management: Terminate before mature seed develops and while stems are still practical to mow or incorporate