Sharing Experiences! 2-Year Farm Learning On Soybeans Farming!

Basic Protocols in planting Soybeans in Philippine setting:
1. Prepare the field thoroughly and apply pesticide (for ants and cutter worms) and fungicide (to address fungal attack or damping off) on furrows before planting;
2. Treat seeds with Rhizobium and seed activating formula (Anaa) to ensure robust sprouts and uniform germination;
3. As soon as the sprouts have shed off their cotyledon, spray foliar fertilizer (AMO Foliar or similar formula). This must be repeated repeated at least every 7 days prior to flowering;
4. On or before the 15th day from emergence, apply a mix of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer (in our experience, a mixture of Guano with Triple 16 or Triple 14 is effective with the Guano ensuring slow release of the inorganic granules. Two bags of Guano or Dried Chicken Dung and 2 bags of Inorganic Fertilizer are applied.)
5. Monitor leaves for signs of insect bites which if present should be addressed by spraying insecticide (Carbaryl);
6. All foliar and insecticide spray must be avoided during the flowering stage so as not to affect pollianation (while Soybeans are self-pollinating), there are pollinators which may be helpful;
7. Monitor weeds in between rows which could be addressed by using a mix of Interline and Basagran. This should be applied using a conical spout to avoid hitting the growing Soybeans;
8. Before reaching 30 days, last application of Organic and Inorganic fertilizer is done with one bag of Guano, one bag of 18-46-0 and one bag of 0-0-60;
9. As soon as the flowers turn to young buds, spraying of Foliar or Insecticide could resume until the pods are fully developed;
10. Monitor the maturity of the bean pods as there maybe some hills which would mature earlier than the others. It is advisable that selective harvesting is made to prevent losses from pods which would pop the beans when they are over mature.
Let me emphasize that these protocols worked for us but it may not be perfect for other areas with distinct climatic and environmental factors.
I hope these protocols which we have established over the last two years would help other farmers.

#farmingisendlesslearning!
#farmingneedspatience!