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In a recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, researchers tested whether modern high-yielding soybeans benefit from nitrogen fertilizer, with results suggesting additions are largely unnecessary. The findings are published in the journal Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management.

Soybeans form a natural partnership with bacteria that colonize the plant's roots. In exchange for sugars, the bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the plant can use, supplying much of the nitrogen needed for growth and grain development.

It has historically been accepted that this supply, along with nitrogen from the soil, meets the plant's nitrogen needs, but ever-increasing yield potential raises the question about whether this is still the case, say researchers in the Department of Crop Sciences and Illinois Extension; both units are part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at Illinois.

High-yielding soybeans raise questions about nitrogen fertilizer needs

Soybean is a high-protein crop, and protein does not come cheap. Nitrogen is a key component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. As soybean yields increase, the plant needs to produce more protein, which in turn requires more nitrogen. Therefore, some researchers and farmers believe adding nitrogen fertilizer helps the plant meet this increased demand.

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