Soybean Production Manual

Good Agronomic Practices for Soybean Production in Northern Ghana

Michael Kermah, Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, Ansong Ofosu

May 2022
Acknowledgements
The Sustainable Soyabean Production in Northern Ghana
(SSPiNG) Project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for
Development Cooperation (NORAD) and implemented by the
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ghana in
partnership with YARA Ghana, the Ghana Ministry of Food
and Agriculture (MoFA) and FKRA (Norway).

This booklet is produced for the training of public and private

Agricultural Extension Agents, other field agents and
soyabean farmers. The contents are based on the knowledge
and experiences of the authors augmented with information
taken from a variety of sources, notably the soyabean
production manuals of CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research
Institute, N2Africa Project and IITA, and are all sources duly
acknowledged. The content are therefore the views of the
authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of
NORAD, IITA and the other project implementing partner
organizations. The user should make his/her own appraisal as
to the appropriateness of the information in the booklet.

Contributions from current and former SSPiNG project staff

including Joseph K. Kansaki, Samuel Asinvim, David Darkoh,
Selase K. Dotse, Vincent M. Afreh, Issahaq Suleman, and
Theresa Ampadu-Boakye are firmly acknowledged.

Some of the photographs in this booklet, for instance on

pests, diseases, and agro-chemicals were taken from multiple
internet sources and each is duly credited. Other photographs,
such as on intercropping, dibbling method of sowing, land
preparation and others are courtesy of Dr. Michael Kermah
and credited accordingly.
Introduction – GAPs to increase soyabean yield 1
Contents
Acknowledgements ........................................................................ 1
Introduction ...................................................................................... 3
Model 1: Achieving optimum plant population .......................... 6
1.1 Site selection ................................................................... 7
1.2 Adequate land preparation ............................................ 8
1.2.1 Ploughing ...............................................................8
1.2.2 Harrowing ...............................................................9
1.2.4 Minimum/zero tillage .............................................11
1.3 Seed selection............................................................... 15
1.4 Germination test ........................................................... 15
1.5 Appropriate sowing technique .................................... 17
1.5.1 Dibbling ................................................................18
1.5.2 Drilling: .................................................................19
1.5.3 Intercropping.........................................................19
1.6 Field guarding after sowing ......................................... 21
Model 2: Harnessing the power of improved inputs ............... 22
2.1 Appropriate variety ....................................................... 23
2.2 Certified seeds .............................................................. 24
2.3 Rhizobium inoculant ..................................................... 26
2.4 Legume fertilizer ........................................................... 30
2.4.1 YaraLegume .........................................................32
2.4.2 Triple Superphosphate (TSP) ...............................33
2.4.3 Croplift Bio (Liquid fertilizer) ..................................35
Module 3: Adequate crop stress management ....................... 38
3.1 Sources of crop stress ...................................................... 39
3.1.1 Weeds ..................................................................40
3.1.2 Pests ....................................................................45
3.1.3 Diseases ...............................................................50
Module 4: Proper harvest planning........................................... 56
4.1 Harvest timing..................................................................... 57
4.2 Harvesting methods........................................................... 57
4.3 Post-harvest handling .................................................. 58
4.4 Residue management .................................................. 59

Introduction – GAPs to increase soyabean yield 2

Introduction
▪ Soyabean is both a cash and food security crop with
demand for grains more than the supply.
▪ Unfortunately, farmers are unable to utilize this
opportunity to increase their incomes due to low grain
yields (about 870 kg/ha or 350 kg/acre or less).
▪ The goal of every soyabean farmer is to increase grain
yield for increased income.
▪ Farmers can increase their yield up to 2,000 kg/ha or
800 kg/acre (= eight 100 kg bags/acre) or more – note
that the potential yield for the main varieties ranges
from 2,400 – 3,500 kg/ha (1,100 – 1,400 kg/acre).
▪ It becomes demoralizing for farmers when they are
unable to achieve such goals.
▪ Some farmers only plant the soyabean and do not do
anything else in terms of applying improved inputs or
management, and still expect to achieve higher yields.

Usually, what most farmers do is just:

▪ Plough without harrowing or levelling to make the
soil ready for best sowing technique.
▪ Sow without following the recommended time of
sowing.
▪ Sow without following any proper pattern or best
available sowing technique.
▪ Expect higher yields with no certified seeds used for
sowing, low plant population, no inoculant or legume
fertilizer applied.
▪ Untimely weeding without any proper plan or no
weeding at all.
▪ Harvest without proper plan or timing of harvest and
post-harvest handling.
▪

Introduction – GAPs to increase soyabean yield 3

To increase yields and income, soyabean farmers need to do
things differently – embrace new technologies and/or proven
or improved agronomic practices.

So, what can farmers do differently to increase yields?

Farmers must consider the following factors/practices:

1. Ensure early planting, between mid-June to

mid-July depending on the regularization of
rainfall.
2. Use non-shattering soyabean varieties to avoid
grain loss at harvest.
3. Ensure that the recommended plant population
is achieved – 400,000 plants/ha or about
162,000 plants/acre at harvest.
4. Use recommended inputs – certified seeds,
inoculant and Yara legume fertilizer at
recommended rates.
5. Ensure timely application of inputs and
appropriate methods to apply.
6. Manage crop stress adequately – timely and
thorough weeding, effective pests, and diseases
control.
7. Adequately plan your harvest, do it on time to
avoid shattering and grain loss.
8. Do not grow soyabean over multiple seasons on
the same field.

Introduction – GAPs to increase soyabean yield 4

 9. \ Soybean can fix up to 40 kg or more of nitrogen per
acre (or around 1 bag of nitrogen fertilizer) from the
air into the soil to improve the fertility.
10. Therefore, it is best to rotate soyabean with maize
or cereals/crops that need more nitrogen to grow
well and produce higher yields.
11. Rotating soyabean with maize is also vital to avoid
pests and diseases build up or to break their
cycles.

▪ Majority of soyabean farmers, especially the

smallholders, need more knowledge on such
GAPs/productivity enhancing technologies or proven
practices to enable them to achieve their goal of
increasing soyabean grain yields for increased income.
▪12. . purpose of this manual, therefore, is to provide
The
such knowledge/information or share experiences on
proven/emerging technologies and/or agronomic
practices that can be adopted by farmers to enable them
to increase their soyabean grain yields.
▪ The manual is structured into four Modules based on
the productivity enhancing technologies/practices/factors
that help to intensify and increase soyabean yields.

Module 1 – Achieving optimum plant population

Module 2 – Harnessing the power of improved inputs
Module 3 – Adequate crop stress management
Module 4 – Proper harvest planning

Introduction – GAPs to increase soyabean yield 5

 Module 1
Model 1: Achieving optimum plant
population

Learning ▪ Show in a sequential manner, the various

objective factors or proven practices that combine
to facilitate achieving optimum or
recommended soyabean plant population
for increased grain yield.

Learning ▪ Key factors/proven practices that can

outcomes help farmers achieve optimum plant
population identified sequentially.
▪ Enhanced knowledge of key factors or
proven practices that can contribute to
achieving optimum soyabean plant
population.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 6

Factors or proven practices that can help to achieve
the recommended soyabean plant population
When the required plant
population is achieved,
the soyabean plants can
form a closed canopy as
seen in the picture. This
essentially helps to
suppress weeds growth
and help to increase yield
per unit area and
ultimately yield per acre or hectare.
Several factors or proven practices play crucial roles in helping
to achieve optimum/recommended soyabean plant population
per hectare or acre by enhancing good germination and
survival of plants as required, to increase grain yield.
These factors/practices include but not limited to the following:
• Proper site selection
• Adequate land preparation
• Use of improved/certified seeds
• Germination test to determine viability of seeds
• Use of appropriate sowing technique
• Field guarding after sowing

1.1 Site selection

▪ Land for soyabean production should have a well-
drained soil, preferably sandy-loam soil.
▪ The soil should have no hardpan to enhance water
percolation and prevent flooding during heavy downpour
as well as to allow easy penetration by the plant roots.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 7

 ▪ If possible, use a flat land or a land with a gentle slope
to avoid erosion of topsoil.
▪ If the land selected has a steep slope, then create
ridges across the slope (if ridging is a normal practice)
to prevent surface runoff.

1.2 Adequate land preparation

Land for soyabean production can be prepared in various
ways based on multiple factors including:
• farmer’s preference,
• farmer’s available resources,
• access to mechanization services,
• site/soil conditions.

1.2.1 Ploughing
▪ Clear weeds or other vegetation on the land, either
manually or using agro
chemicals (e.g., total
weed killers like
glyphosate) at least a
week before ploughing.
▪ Ploughing can be done
2 to 3 weeks before
planting using a tractor or
bullock depending on
which one the farmer can access or afford.
▪ The ploughing depth should be about 20 – 30 cm and
should be done when the soil moisture is relatively low
to reduce soil compact and formation of a hardpan.
▪ Do not burn the crop residues left on the field from the
previous season. Rather, plough them into the soil to
help with moisture retention and organic matter build up.
Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 8
 ▪ If the land has a slope, ploughing should be done
across the slope.
▪ Ploughing is essential as it helps to loosen the soil,
bring up nutrients from deeper soil layers and burry
weeds. Loosening the soil is important for:
• enhanced air circulation which is vital for soil
micro-organisms that help to decompose organic
materials to release nutrients for uptake by
soyabean plants,
• improving water infiltration, and penetration of
plant roots into deeper layers to take up nutrients
for better growth.
▪ Please, note that ploughing usually leaves the soil
surface uneven (with soil clods/lumps and
furrows/trenches/gutters).
▪ Therefore, it is necessary to harrow/level the soil
surface either mechanically or manually before sowing
to enhance seed germination.

1.2.2 Harrowing
▪ Harrowing should be
done about one week
before planting to level
the soil surface after
ploughing, break up lumps
of soil and provide a good
soil tilth to enhance seed
germination.
▪ It is mostly done
mechanically, but if this is not possible, the farmer can
use hand hoe to level the soil surface and make it even
and ready for sowing.
Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 9
 ▪ Please, allow some days (up to a week) after ploughing
for the soil to dry before harrowing to obtain a level
surface.
▪ Harrowing/leveling of soil surface for sowing helps to:
• break soil clods that form on the surface after
ploughing and can prevent the seeds from
germinating.
• prevent water from collecting in holes/furrows left
after ploughing which can make seeds rot or
germinated seeds die for being soaked in water.
• further destroy weeds and loosen the topsoil for
the young roots of seedlings to develop well and
the young plants to grow better.

1.2.3 Ridging
▪ Ridging can be done with
tractor, bullocks or using hoes
about one week before
sowing.
▪ It is vital for shallow soils or
soils with a hardpan that
could easily get flooded. In
such cases, ridging allows
water to collect in the furrows
between the ridges and helps
to improve drainage and keep
the plants safe.
▪ Ridging increases the depth
of the topsoil which allows the
roots of plants to have more
soil room to exploit nutrients and water for better growth.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 10

 ▪ Ensure that the distance
between the apex (tips) of
any two ridges is 50 – 60 cm
in accordance with the
recommended row spacing.
▪ If this is not possible, the
farmer can sow on both
edges of the ridge, in which
case the ridges should be
made wide with the distance
between the edges being 50 cm.
▪ Ridging with tractor/bullocks does not automatically give
the required spacing since the discs are not usually
adjustable. So, it is necessary for the farmer to do some
adjustments after mechanical ridging to achieve the
require row spacing.
▪ The ridges should be as high as practicable to improve
water infiltration.

1.2.4 Minimum/zero tillage

▪ Some farmers prefer to prepare their lands with
minimum or no soil disturbance, especially those that
are engaged in conservation agriculture.
▪ With this tillage practice, the vegetation on the land is
not cleared. Instead, planting holes are made, and the
seeds are sown directly.
▪ The farmer then takes care of the vegetation by
spraying herbicides (usually a total weed killer)
immediately after sowing to kill the weeds and allow the
seeds to germinate and grow without competing with
weeds.
Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 11
 ▪ This type of land preparation is most suited to land/soil
with the following conditions:
• areas susceptible to drought and high soil
temperatures.
• land with steep slopes and those prone to
erosion to prevent water loss through ruff off.
▪ soils with low water holding capacity to allow water
conservation.
▪ Glyphosate is a good example of such non-selective or
total weed killing herbicides. Below are some examples
of non-selective herbicides with glyphosate as active
ingredient and can be used for total weeds control when
practicing minimum or zero tillage:

Please, do not spray any of these herbicides after the

soyabean seeds have germinated to prevent them from being
destroyed together with the weeds.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 12

1) GLYKING - Glyphosate 400 g/L SL
A non-selective herbicide for the
control of grasses/broadleaf weeds
and annual and perennial weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 100-200 ml per 16L knapsack
▪ 0.4L/acre (about half bottle per
acre) and 1L/ha

2) RIDOUT - Glyphosate 400 g/L SL

A non-selective herbicide for the control of
grasses/broadleaf weeds and annual and
perennial weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 100-200 ml per 16L knapsack
▪ 0.4L/acre (about half bottle per acre)
and 1L/ha

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 13

3) Sunphosate - Glyphosate 360 g/L SL
A non-selective herbicide for the control of
annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf
weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 150-200 ml per 16L knapsack
▪ 1-2L/acre (i.e., 1-2 bottles per acre) and
2.5-5L/ha

4) Ridover - Glyphosate Ammonium 80 g, 75.7% SG

A non-selective soluble granular
herbicide for the control of annual and
perennial grasses and broadleaf weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 80-100 g per 16L knapsack
▪ 324-405 g/acre and 800-1,000 g/ha

Herbicides application method

Fill the Knapsack with half the required amount of water. Add
the recommended amount of herbicide and mix thoroughly. Top
up the tank with water to the required level and shake well to
ensure thorough mixture and then spray.
Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 14
1.3 Seed selection
▪ Only use certified seeds from
certified agro-dealers for sowing.
▪ If you receive the seeds from a
nucleus farmer/aggregator, please
verify that they are certified seeds
and originally sourced from a
certified seeds dealer.
▪ If required, conduct seed treatment
by applying fungicides.
▪ Clean the seeds by removing
damaged/broken seeds, debris,
pest or disease infested and
irregularly shaped seeds.

1.4 Germination test

Conduct germination test between 10 – 14 days before
sowing to determine if the seeds are good enough for sowing.
Germination test can be conducted in a variety of ways. Few
examples have been described below:

1) Seedbed method
▪ Prepare a small seedbed and water it to make it moist
but not wet or soaked.
▪ Make one 100 holes in the seedbed.
▪ Select one 100 seeds randomly from the seed pack and
sow one seed in each hole.
▪ Count the number of seeds that have emerged by one
week time.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 15

2) Bowl method
▪ Fill a large bowl with soil and moisten the soil.
▪ Make one 100 holes in the seedbed.
▪ Select one 100 seeds randomly from the seed pack and
sow one seed in each hole.
▪ Count the number of seeds that have emerged by one
week time.

Germination test can be conducted using other methods as

well, and the number of seeds to be used for the test can be
100 or 1,000.

Below is a guide on the required number of seeds that should

be sown based on the outcome of the germination test.
Germination test result Number of seeds to be
(Number of seeds that emerged) sown per hole or stand

85 or more 2
80 – 84 2–3
70 – 79 3 or more
60 – 70 4 or more

Below 60 Discard. Best to get new

seeds for sowing

Irrespective of the sowing method, if birds/rodents may be a

problem, and the field cannot be guarded after sowing, then
sow at 3 seeds per hole or stand and thin to 2 healthy plants
two weeks after sowing.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 16

1.5 Appropriate sowing technique
▪ Soyabean, being a legume crop rely more on nitrogen in
the air for growth.
▪ Soyabean roots do not spread much widely in the soil
like other crops such as maize.
▪ Therefore, soyabean can be planted close together
because close planting does not result in intense
competition for nutrients like maize and other crops.
▪ At an early stage of growth, especially before
nodulation, soyabean rely on soil nitrogen. Therefore, if
the soil is deficient in nitrogen, it is important that a
starter dose (a small amount of nitrogen, about 10 – 15
kg N/ha or 4 – 6 kg N/acre) can be applied to stimulate
growth until nodulation.

Do not broadcast your soyabean seeds and do not

practice random planting as any of these will not help to
achieve the recommended plant population.

Practice Row Planting

▪ This will allow the recommended spacing of 50 cm
between rows (roughly the length of two footprints)
and 10 cm between plants within the rows (roughly
the length from the base of your thumb to the top of
your index finger) to be applied and to achieve the
required plant population.
▪ Planting in rows makes weeding relatively easier and
harvesting and other management practices efficient
(as less time is required) compared with random and
broadcasting sowing methods.
▪
▪

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 17

 ▪ Ensure there is good soil moisture prior to sowing,
usually after a good rainfall but soil should not be
soaked with water as the seeds will rot and not
germinate.
▪ Do not plant too early before the rains are well
established as a prolonged dry spell after planting may
cause the plants to die.
▪ The best planting time for soyabean is between mid-
June to mid-July with the rains likely well established.
▪ Avoid deeper sowing (recommended depth = 3 cm;
not deeper than 5 cm) as this may result in loss of
seed vigor and poor germination or failure to germinate.

Below are some good examples of row planting techniques

1.5.1 Dibbling (the use of dibber, hoe, cutlass, planter):

▪ On each row, make 2 adjacent holes about 5 cm apart
and 3 cm deep as below.
▪ Each pair of adjacent holes should be 10 cm part from
within the row. Sow 2 seeds in one hole. The other
hole is for fertilizer and will be discussed in later section.

▪ This sowing technique can be performed mechanically

with a multipurpose planter, which can put both the
seeds and fertilizer simultaneously.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 18

 ▪ Remember, the number of seeds to put in one hole
depends on the results of your germination test (please
refer accordingly).

1.5.2 Drilling:
▪ On each row, make a furrow using a dibber with a flat
edge of about 5 cm width.
▪ Sow the seeds at one side of the furrow with 2 seeds
per stand and 10 cm between plant stands within the
row and cover after sowing. The opposite side of the
furrow is meant for the drilling of the fertilizer at sowing
(see details under fertilizer application).
▪ Do not step on the covered seeds after sowing to allow
seeds to emerge.
▪ Again, remember the number of seeds to put per stand
depends on the results of your germination test.
▪ This method requires the land to be well prepared –
ploughed to properly loosen the topsoil and
harrowed/leveled (or double ploughed) to provide an
even surface for sowing.

Do not step on the planting holes after sowing to allow seeds to

germinate without obstruction

1.5.3 Intercropping
In areas such as the Upper East Region, some farmers usually
intercrop soyabean with maize or other cereals.
The cereal is usually planted as the main crop for household
food security with the soyabean added to sell for income.
In such cases, the farmers commonly plant 6 or more soyabean
seeds in one hole between two maize plants on the same row.
Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 19
This practice is called an additive intercropping – an
intercropping system where the main crop is planted at its
recommended sole crop density and the intercrop (second
crop) added at a certain proportion of its sole cropping density.
To improve the efficiency and complementary use of growth
resources (radiation, soil water, nutrients, etc.) for increased
yield of both crops, the following additive intercropping sowing
technique shown in the picture can be used:
▪ The planting rows
should be spaced 75
cm apart.
▪ Use a short duration
maize variety.
▪ Make 4 holes (if maize
is spaced 50 cm within
the row) or 2 holes (if
maize is spaced 25 cm
within the row)
between 2 maize
plants on the same row and sow 2 soyabean seeds per
hole. This will mean that the soyabean within-row
planting holes are spaced 10 cm apart.
▪ Make sure the soyabean holes are evenly spaced
between the 2 maize plants. Do not put all 8 soyabean
seeds in one hole.
With this intercropping method, the taller maize may shade the
soyabean to some extent. However, there is more
complementary and efficient use of resources. For example, the
soyabean fixes its own nitrogen from the air and allow the
maize to utilize the nitrogen in the soil for growth – so there is:
▪ reduced competition for nutrients,
▪ reduced competition for soil water due to different root
systems between soyabean and the cereal, and
Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 20
 ▪ efficient use of radiation because of differing canopy
architecture.
▪ increased efficiency in land use and yield per unit area.
Alternatively, you can intercrop soyabean by planting maize as
a monocrop and then between every two maize rows, you plant
a row of soyabean. This is also an additive system as the
recommended maize population is not reduced and soyabean
is integrated as a second crop.

In areas where farmers plant on ridges, as in the Upper East

Region, maize can be planted in the middle of the ridges as a
monocrop at its recommended population and then soyabean
can integrated as a second crop by planting on the edges or on
the sides of the ridges.

1.6 Field guarding after sowing

▪ There are several animals (e.g., birds, rodents) that
usually disturb the germination of seeds.
▪ Therefore, after sowing, the field should be guarded to
protect the seeds and ensure good germination.
▪ Guarding of the field can be done in multiple ways:
• The farmer or someone appointed need to watch
over the field to scare away birds and rodents and
prevent them from digging up the seeds or eating
them when they emerge from the soil.
• The farmer can put up some scare crows to steer
away birds and rodents or free roaming livestock
from stepping on the seeds sown.
▪ The field guarding should be done until germination is
completed, and the resulting seedlings have attained at
least 2 – 4 leaves.

Achieving recommended soyabean plant population 21

 Module 2
Model 2: Harnessing the power of
improved inputs

Learning ▪ Showcase a host of recommended inputs

objectives that can help to increase soyabean grain
yield.

Learning ▪ Increased awareness of some

outcomes recommended inputs to increase
soyabean yield.
▪ Full understanding of the application
rates, times, and methods of each of the
recommended inputs.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 22

Introduction
▪ A host of improved inputs are available that farmers
can use to assist them increase their soyabean yields.
▪ Each of these inputs can be used alone or combined to
better enhance the prospect of increasing soyabean
grain yield.
▪ These include the following:
• Improved variety
• Certified seeds
• Rhizobia inoculant
• Legume fertilizer
A variety of soyabean yield enhancing fertilizers
such as:
o YaraLegume fertilizer
o Triple Superphosphate (TSP)
o YaraVita Croplift Bio (Liquid fertilizer)

2.1 Appropriate variety

▪ Before buying certified seeds for planting, a farmer
should first decide on which variety to use.
▪ Generally, a farmer must always choose a variety with
the following attributes:
• high yielding,
• resistant to pod shattering,
• early – medium maturing to fit into the relatively
short duration of the cropping season in
northern Ghana,
• resistant to drought, and tolerant to
pests/diseases.
▪ In addition, a farmer may also consider the type of
contract or market he/she is targeting to sell his/her
soyabean grains when deciding on which variety to use
Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 23
 for planting – e.g., if the farmer is targeting/has a
contract to sell the grains to a processor for oil, then a
variety with seeds high in oil should be used. But the
variety must conform to the traits indicated above.
Below are some improved varieties recommended by the
SSPiNG project

Name of Maturity Potential Pod Pest and

variety (days) yield shattering diseases
Jenguma 110–115 2.8 t/ha Resistant, Tolerant
up to 3%
11 bags/acre shattering
Afayak 110–115 2.4 t/ha Resistant, Tolerant
up to 8%
10 bags/acre shattering
Favor 115–120 3.5 t/ha Resistant, Tolerant
up to 5%
14 bags/acre shattering

2.2 Certified seeds

▪ It is important to always use
certified seeds from a certified
agro-dealer. Such seeds mostly
give better germination for high
plant population and higher
grain yields.

▪ Always verify that the seeds

were from a season prior to the
present one or not kept in storage for more than 12

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 24

 months as such seeds are likely to lose their vigor, not
germinate or give low yield.

▪ In case you cannot have access to certified seeds for

planting, you may use the first or second saved seeds
from a certified seed for planting. Please do not go
beyond the use of the second saved seeds.
▪ However, we highly recommend the use of certified
seeds for planting every season because:
• soyabean seeds tend to lose their viability and
vigor when poorly stored leading to poor
germination and low yields.
• the ability of seeds saved from previous harvest to
give higher yields when re-used for planting
generally tend to decline season after season.

▪ Seed rate: About 45 – 50 kg of soyabean seeds are

required to plant one hectare and 18 – 20 kg to plant one
acre. These are targeted at achieving the optimum
population of 400,000 plants or more per hectare and
about 162,000 plants or more per acre.

▪ Usually, 40 – 45 kg/ha or 16 – 18 kg/acre is adequate

with manual or hand sowing. But 50 kg/ha or 20 kg/acre
can be targeted when drilling by hand or sowing with
manual or mechanical planters. Examples of these
planters are shown below.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 25

2.3 Rhizobium inoculant
Introduction (Facts/important notes)
▪ Rhizobium inoculants are
commercially produced
rhizobia applied to legume
seeds before sowing to
enhance nodulation, nitrogen
fixation and better yield.
There are several quality
inoculants available for use
on soyabean – e.g., NoduMax-Plus and SariFix.
▪ It is important to inoculate
soyabean seeds because the
rhizobia that normally make
soyabean to form nodules and fix
nitrogen are naturally found in low
amounts in most soils in the
savanna areas.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 26

 ▪ Most essentially, on newly cleared lands or lands that
have not been cultivated to soyabean before, the
amount of the right rhizobia for soyabean is more likely
to be even less or lacking. Hence, a farmer should
always apply inoculant when growing soyabean on
such lands/soils.
▪ To ensure that adequate amounts of the required
rhizobia is available in the soil, it is necessary to
inoculate soyabean seeds. This will enable the plants to
form more nodules, fix more nitrogen, produce more
biomass/residues, and give you higher grain yield.
▪ When the soyabean fixes more nitrogen, it uses part for
its own growth and leaves some in the soil to improve
the fertility which will then benefit a subsequent crop
like maize grown in rotation with the soyabean.
▪ Always check that the inoculant is the right one for
soyabean before buying because some inoculants may
not work on soyabean as each legume needs a specific
rhizobium to infect its roots to be able to form nodules.
▪ The inoculant packet always shows the legume types it
should be applied to, so always check it.
▪ Also check the specific rate to be applied because it
differs for each inoculant as manufacturers use different
formulations and carriers in developing inoculant.
▪ Ensure that the inoculated seeds do not get in contact
with fertilizers when sowing.

Application rate and method

Due to the different formulations/carriers used in developing
inoculants, the method and rate of application also differs for
each inoculant. Always check the instructions that come with
the inoculant for the right method and rate.
Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 27
 Both NoduMax-Plus and SariFix inoculants have similar
application rates and method which is described below.

Application rate:
▪ 10 g per kg of soyabean seeds OR 100 g (one sachet)
per 10 kg of seeds.
▪ This means that for one acre, two (2) of the 100 g
sachets of inoculant are needed for inoculation.

Application method (See the pictorial steps below):

1. Measure and place 10 kg of soyabean seeds in a
container large enough to accommodate all the seeds.
2. For NoduMax-Plus, dissolve the gum Arabic enclosed
with the inoculant packet in 200 ml of warm water
(about half of the small mineral water bottle) if
preparing it for 10 kg seeds. Add the gum Arabic
solution to the seeds, mix until all seeds are uniformly
covered.
For Sarifix, moisten the seeds with about 30 ml of
clean water (roughly 6 water bottle-cap).
3. Add 100 g (one sachet) of inoculant to the seeds
already covered in gum Arabic solution or moistened
and mix thoroughly until all the seeds are uniformly
covered and/or coated with the inoculant.
4. Avoid exposure of the inoculated seeds to sunlight by
covering with a paper, cloth, etc. Exposure to sunlight
will kill the rhizobia bacteria.
5. Place the inoculated seeds under a shade to allow
them to coolly dry for about 15-30 minutes (note that
the time depends on the quantity of seeds inoculated)
for sowing.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 28

 6. Ensure that you sow the inoculated seeds as soon as
possible, particularly about 30 – 60 minutes after
inoculation.
7. In an extreme case where you cannot sow immediately,
ensure that you sow the seeds on the same day they
are inoculated.
8. Inoculant application rate can be adjusted accordingly
based on the quantity of seeds to be inoculated.

Handling and storage of inoculant

▪ Keep the inoculant package sealed until you are ready
to use.
▪ Store the inoculant in a cool, dark, and dry place away
from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture.
▪ Do not store the inoculant in a freezer as this will kill the
rhizobium bacteria. However, you can store the
inoculant in a fridge.
▪ Always follow the recommended storage instructions
included in the inoculant package.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 29

2.4 Legume fertilizer
Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 30
The general perception is that soyabean does not require any
fertilizer. This is not entirely correct.
▪ Soyabean does not require a nitrogen fertilizer because
as a legume plant, it is able to fix nitrogen from the air
into its root/soil through a process called ‘biological
nitrogen fixation’.
▪ When the soyabean fixes the nitrogen, it uses some for
its own growth to produce higher yield and leaves some
of the nitrogen in the soil to improve the fertility.
▪ However, if the soil is deficient of nitrogen, that is it has
a very low amount of nitrogen, then a small amount of
nitrogen is needed at the infant or early stage of the
crop before it begins to fix its own nitrogen. This is
called a starter nitrogen.
▪ The starter nitrogen amount should normally be a
maximum of 15 kg N/ha or 6 kg N/acre.

Apart from nitrogen, requires phosphorus, potassium and other

nutrients for better growth and yield. However:
▪ Soyabean require more phosphorus than the other soil
nutrients.
▪ These nutrients including the phosphorus cannot be
fixed by soyabean, so they have to be supplied through
application of recommended fertilizers.
▪ Some recommended fertilizers, also recommended by
the SSPiNG project include the following:
• YaraLegume fertilizer
• Triple Superphosphate (TSP)
• YaraVita Croplift Bio (Liquid fertilizer)

Benefits of applying legume fertilizers

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 31
 ▪ Rapid growth and development of the soyabean plants.
▪ Reduction in flower abortion or loss of flowers.
▪ Increased number of pods per plant and pod filling (3-4
seeds per pod).
▪ Larger grain or seed size and increased grain weight.
▪ Increased grain yield.
▪ Improved grain quality.
▪ Increased economic returns.

2.4.1 YaraLegume

▪ This is a legume fertilizer produced and marketed by

Yara Ghana.
▪ There are two types:
1) YaraLegume (YL):
(0:18:13 + 6CaO + 2S + 3MgO + 0.075B)
This fertilizer blend has phosphorus (18% P2O5)
and potassium (13% K2O) as the main active
ingredients. It also contains 6% calcium, 2%
sulphur, 3% magnesium and some boron to further
support the growth of soyabean plants.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 32

 2) New YaraLegume (NYL):
(4:18:13 + 6CaO + 2S + 3MgO + 0.075B)
The New YaraLegume has the same active
ingredients as the YaraLegume described above.
However, this new blend also has a 4% nitrogen as
a starter dose to trigger rapid growth of the young
soyabean plants until they can form nodules and fix
their own nitrogen.

2.4.2 Triple Superphosphate (TSP)

(0:46:0 + 15Ca)
▪ This is a phosphate-based
fertilizer with a high
concentration of
phosphorus and suitable
for soyabean for enhanced
growth and yield.
▪ It also has a 15 % calcium
to provide additional nutrition for the soyabean crop.

Application rate (YaraLegume and TSP)

Legume Rate Rate Applying with
fertilizer (kg/ha) (kg/acre) water bottle cap
YaraLegume 250 100 (2 bags) 1 cap for every 4
holes or stands
TSP 100 40 (1 bag) 1 cap for every 10
holes or stands

Application time:
▪ Whether YaraLegume or TSP, the fertilizer should be
applied at sowing (recommended).
Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 33
 ▪ If for any reason the fertilizer cannot be applied at
sowing, ensure that it is applied within two weeks
after sowing and NOT later than that.

Application methods

a) Drilling method:
▪ With this method, the fertilizer is applied at sowing.
▪ The method requires the land to be well prepared –
ploughed to properly loosen the topsoil and
harrowed/leveled to provide an even surface.

▪ At planting, make a furrow using a dibber with a flat

edge of about 5 cm width.
▪ Sow the seeds at one side of the furrow and cover
seeds (please refer to sowing techniques) and then
drill the fertilizer at the other side of the furrow
opposite the side where the seeds were sown.
▪ Cover the fertilizer after application to avoid nutrient
losses.

b) Band placement method:

▪ This method also requires the land to be well
prepared – ploughed and harrowed/leveled.
▪ The method can be used to apply fertilizer both at
sowing and after the seeds have germinated.
▪ If applying at sowing,

• make 2 adjacent holes about 5 cm apart and 3

cm deep (refer to the picture under sowing
technique).

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 34

 • Sow the seeds in one hole and place the
fertilizer in the other hole and cover after
application to avoid nutrient losses.

▪ If applying after germination, place the fertilizer 5 cm

away from the base of the plant in a 3-5 cm deep
trench and cover after application to avoid nutrient
losses.

Do not Broadcast your Fertilizer as this will Encourage

Weed Growth to Compete with the Soyabean Plants

2.4.3 Croplift Bio (Liquid fertilizer)

This is produced and marketed by Yara Ghana. The product
contains:
▪ sticking agents to
adhere it to the leaves,
▪ wetting agents to
spread the product
over the leaf surface,
▪ uptake agents to
enhance nutrient
uptake by the
soyabean plants.
▪ The product can be
mixed with other chemicals (insecticides, herbicides,
weedicides, etc) in one tank when applying.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 35

Application rate:
▪ 2 liters per acre and 5 liters per hectare

Application time:
▪ Apply 1 liter/acre (1 bottle) or 2.5 liters/ha when the
soyabean plants attain 4-6 leaves (about 3-4 weeks
after sowing). Repeat this application 10 – 14 days
after the first application.

Application method
• Measure 1 standard milk tin of product into a half filled
16-liters volume of Knapsack.
• Top up the already filled Knapsack with water up to the
16-liter mark to uniformly mix and shake thoroughly.
• Proceed to spray the leaves of your soyabean plants.

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 36

 YaraLegume
fertilizer

TSP

CropLift Bio

Harnessing the power of improved inputs to increase soyabean yield 37

 Module 3
Module 3: Adequate crop stress
management

Learning ▪ Know when soyabean plants are

objectives stressed.
▪ Identify the major sources or factors that
cause stress in soyabean.
▪ Understand damages caused by each
source/factor of crop stress.
▪ Understand the management measures
for the various crop stress factors.

Learning ▪ Enhanced understanding of weeds

outcomes management practices.
▪ Enhanced ability to identify the major
pests and diseases of soyabean and
their control/management measures.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 38

When is a crop stressed?
A crop is stressed when an external factor/condition causes it
to suffer and grow poorly and ultimately decreases the yield.
Crop stress can result in low yields or even a total crop failure.

Impact of crop stress

If crop stress is not sufficiently managed, it can lead to:
• Reduced number of soyabean plants per acre or
hectare as it could affect the survival of the plants. In
the end, optimum plant population cannot be achieved.
• Stunted plant growth.
• Limited production of biomass.
• Poor nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
• Low number of pods per plant.
• Poor pod filling leading to low number of seeds or
grains per pod.
• Small seed or grain weight/size.

3.1 Sources of crop stress

Crop stress emanates from multiple external factors or
conditions, which can be living organisms or non-living things.
Prominent among these include:

Pests Diseases Weeds

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 39

 Poor weather
Poor soil conditions
conditions
drought,
lack of water, flooding, etc.
nutrients, etc.
Poor crop
management

3.1.1 Weeds
▪ Weeds compete with the soyabean plants for nutrients,
water and light, depriving the plants of these essential
growth elements and decreasing the yield.
▪ Weeds serve as host for some diseases and pests that
attack soyabean plants.
▪ Weed seeds/residues can be mixed with soyabean
grains and reduce the quality.
▪ Timely and thorough weeding is important for better
growth, canopy closure, better weed suppression and
higher yield.
▪ The number of weeding depends on the time and
severity of weed infestation.

Manual weed control

▪ Hand weeding (with hoe) is preferred though labor
intensive.
▪ Generally, 2–3 weeding should be done for better
growth of soyabean.
▪ First weeding should be done at 2–3 weeks after
planting and second weeding at 4–6 weeks after
planting based on level of weed infestation.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 40

 ▪ If a pre-emergence chemical is applied to control
weeds, then one hand weeding at 5–6 weeks after
planting should be done.
▪ The second weeding must be done before flowering to
prevent loss of flowers.
▪ Avoid weeding immediately after rainfall to prevent
weed seeds transport in the field.

Chemical weed control

▪ Weeds can also be controlled with herbicides /
weedicides.
▪ The choice of herbicide depends on the predominant
weed species in the field and the availability of
herbicides.
▪ Chemical weed control can be performed at pre-
emergence stage (before the soyabean seeds
germinate, usually, same or next day after sowing) or
at post-emergence stage.
▪ A post-emergence herbicide can be applied when the
soyabean plants are at about 4–6 leaf growth stage or
as early as weed infestation warrants it.

Recommended herbicides that can be used for chemical weed

management in soyabean

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 41

1) PENDIPAX -
Pendimethalin 400g/L EC
A selective pre-emergence herbicide for
the control of both grasses and
broadleaf weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 120-200 ml per 16L knapsack
▪ 810 ml-1.2L/acre and 2-3L/ha

2) STOMP -
Pendimethalin 445g/L CS
A pre-emergence herbicide for the control
of both grasses and broadleaf weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 100-200 ml per 16L knapsack
▪ 810 ml-1.2L/acre and 2-3L/ha

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 42

3) AGRISTOMP -
Pendimethalin 456g/L CS
A pre-emergence herbicide for the
control of both grasses and broadleaf
weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 100-200 ml per 16L knapsack
▪ 810 ml-1.2L/acre and 2-3L/ha

4) TARGET -
Imazethapyr 240g/L SL
A selective pre- and early post-emergence
(around 25 days after planting) herbicide for
control of grasses and broadleaf weeds.

Application rate:
• 30-60 ml per 16L knapsack

• 140-300 ml/acre and 350-730 ml/ha

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 43

5) AGIL 100 EC
A post-emergence herbicide for control
of grasses/narrow leaf weeds.

Application rate:
▪ 60-80 ml per 16L knapsack
▪ 200-490 ml/acre and
500 ml - 1.2L/ha

6) SUPREMO -
Imazethapyr 240g/L SL
A post-emergence herbicide for control of
grasses and broadleaf weeds.

Application rate:
• 30-60 ml per 16L knapsack
• 140-300 ml/acre and 350-750 ml/ha

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 44

7) WEEDBLOCK -
Imazethapyr 37.5g/L ME
An early post-emergence
herbicide for control of grasses
and broadleaf weeds (2-4 leaf
stage).

Application rate:
• 150 ml per 16L knapsack
• 800 ml/acre and 2L/ha

Herbicides application method

Fill the Knapsack with half the required amount of water. Add
the recommended amount of chemical and mix thoroughly.
Top up the tank with water to the required level, shake well to
ensure thorough and even mixture and then proceed to spray.

3.1.2 Pests
▪ Pests attack plants at different stages of growth –
seeds, young plants, flowering, podding and pod-filling
stages. Control should be targeted at these stages.
▪ Most importantly, pests and diseases must be
controlled between flowering, podding and pod-filling
stages for better grain yield.
▪ Pay more attention to the pod-sucking bugs/insects as
those directly reduce soyabean grain yield and quality.
▪ Leaf eating pests should be controlled but they do not
need much attention as pod-sucking ones since they
do not directly reduce grain yield and quality.
Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 45
Identification of some common soyabean pests
1) Soyabean
▪ These pests feed on the
soyabean seeds in the
pods when they are still
developing.
▪ They penetrate the pods,
suck nutrients and fluids
and eventually cause the
seeds to be shriveled.

2) Soyabean aphids ▪ These pests are normally

found on the undersides of
soyabean leaves and
stems.
▪ They suck fluids and
nutrients, and cause the
plants to be stunted, abort
flowers and ultimately
reduce pod and grain yield.

3) Silverleaf whitefly
▪ This is one of the most
common pests of
soyabean that reproduces
faster under hot and dry
weather conditions.
▪ They suck fluids and
nutrients from soyabean
plants and cause serious
yield reduction.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 46

 5) Pod bug
These pests suck the pods
of soyabean, causing poor
pod filling and reduced
grain yield.

6) Bean leaf beetle ▪ These pests vary in color

ranging from yellow,
green, tan or red with a
small triangle behind the
head.
▪ They cause much
damage on young
soyabean plants by
causing defoliation.

7) Ants
▪ Ants do not directly attack
soyabean plants like the
other pests.
▪ However, in the process
of building their nests or
mounds, soils brought to
the surface by colonies of
ants can:

o bury smaller soyabean plants.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 47

 o affect the roots of soyabean plants, cause loss of
soil moisture around the root zone and deprive the
plants of the needed water and eventually
negatively impact on the survival of soyabean
plants.
o These can lead to low plant population and
contribute to yield reduction.
▪ These ant colonies can be controlled with chemicals such
as Furadan and Dursban.

Pest management measures

▪ Use clean or certified seeds for sowing.
▪ Use soyabean varieties resistant to pests.
▪ Practice adequate land preparation – ploughing and
harrowing to kill weeds that could serve as hosts for
pests.
▪ Practice crop rotation to break pest cycles.
▪ Use recommended insecticides to control pests.
• Usually, one or two sprayings of these
insecticides is adequate to control pests.
• However, the level of pest infestation will
determine the number of sprayings that will be
needed.
• When to first spray soyabean plants depends
on the time pest infestation is noticed and the
level of infestation – but usually first at flowering
and then another spraying may be enough
based on pest incidence – normally 21 days
after the first spraying.
• Spraying should be done early in the morning
or late in the afternoon.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 48

Below are some recommended insecticides that can be used
to control pests in soyabean.

1) Dimeking 2) Lambdaking
Dimethoate 400g/L EC Lambda Cyhalothrin
25g/L EC
• 70-80 ml/16L • 50-70 ml/16L
knapsack knapsack
• 700 ml/ha • 600-700 ml/ha
• 280 ml/acre • 240-280 ml/acre

Target pests: Target pests:

Aphids, Thrips, Aphids, Beetles,
Grasshoppers Thrips, etc.

3) Colam 4) K-OPTIMAL
Lambda-Cyhalothrin Lambda Cyhalothrine 15 g/L
+Thiamethoxam 141G/L ZC +Acetamipride 20 g/L EC

• 15-30 ml/16L • 40 ml/16L

knapsack knapsack
• 200 ml/ha • 1L/ha
• 80 ml/acre • 0.40L/acre

Target pests: Target pests:

Sucking and Aphids, Bugs,
chewing insects Whiteflies, etc.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 49

Ema Star PAWA
Emamectin Benzoate 48 g/Lt 25 g Lamba-cyhalothrin/L
+ Acetamiprid 64 g/Lt

• 20-30 ml/16L • 35-50 ml/16L

knapsack knapsack
• 250-500 ml/ha • 500-800 ml/ha
• 100-200 ml/acre • 200-324 ml/acre

Target pests Target pests

Aphids, Aphids, Whiteflies,
Whiteflies, etc. Bugs, Stem borers

3.1.3 Diseases
Identification of soyabean diseases
There are several diseases that can affect soyabean plants at
different stages of growth and reduce the yield. These may
either be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.

Below are some of the common diseases that can affect

soyabean:

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 50

Viral diseases

Soyabean mosaic Soyabean vein necrosis

Bean pod mottle

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 51

Bacterial diseases

Bacterial pustule Bacterial blight

Soyabean leaf rust Soyabean tan spot

Fungal diseases

Frog eye leaf spot Soyabean rust

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 52

 Soyabean stem rot Fusarium root
rot

Control measures for soyabean diseases

▪ Use clean or quality/certified seeds for sowing.
▪ Treat seeds with fungicide (e.g., Captan, Apron Plus or
Thiram) at the rate of one sachet per 8 kg seeds to
control soil-borne pathogens or fungal diseases before
planting.
▪ Use soyabean varieties
resistant to diseases.
▪ For viral diseases, uproot
and bury the infected plants.
▪ Practice adequate land
preparation – ploughing and
harrowing or double
ploughing or apply fungicide
to contaminated soils to
destroy pathogens.
▪ Practice crop rotation to
break the cycles of diseases

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 53

3.1.4 Protective equipment for chemical usage

Face protection
▪ For eyes, wear goggles and
protective glasses
▪ Wear mask for nose and
lungs protection

Hands and arm protection

Wear arm guards and gloves

Feet and legs

Wear boots with
protective soles such as
Wellington boots

Whole body
Wear the above PPEs including a
protective clothing to cover whole body.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 54

Safe use of chemicals
▪ Seek advice from an Agricultural Extension Agent if
you are not sure of what chemical to use.
▪ Always read the instructions on the chemical container
to fully understand the precautionary or safety
measures before use.
▪ Always keep record of the type, date and name of
chemical used.
▪ Do not taste or smell pesticides as they are toxic and
avoid contact while spraying.
▪ Do not mix different chemicals together to spray.
▪ Do not drink or eat while mixing or when spraying any
chemical.
▪ Always use a stick to stir when mixing chemicals. Do
not use your hand to stir.
▪ Do not use knapsack sprayers that leak.
▪ Use high pressure nozzles to apply pesticides (this
ensures release of smaller droplets targeted at pests)
and low-pressure nozzles to apply herbicides (for
release of larger droplets targeted at weeds).
▪ Always spray along the direction of the wind to avoid
droplets of the chemical drifting towards you.
▪ Safely dispose of any empty chemical containers by
piercing and then burying them.

Adequate crop stress management for increased soyabean yield 55

 Module 4
Module 4: Proper harvest planning

Learning ▪ Identify the best time for harvesting of

objectives soyabean to avoid yield loss.
▪ Understand the different harvesting
methods and benefits.

Learning ▪ Enhanced understanding of the best time

outcomes to harvest soyabean to avoid shattering
and yield losses.
▪ Increased awareness of the different
harvesting methods and the associated
benefits.

Proper harvest planning for increased soyabean yield 56

4.1 Harvest timing
▪ Most of the recommended soyabean varieties are
medium maturing, taking between 110 – 120 days
(i.e., 3-4 months) after planting to mature.
▪ Harvesting must be properly timed to avoid pod
shattering and yield losses.
▪ Do not harvest too early. This may lead to immature
and poor-quality grain, reduced yield and increased
possibility of pest/disease attack during storage.
▪ Do not harvest too late as well to avoid problems of
pests and diseases, too dry and cracked grains, etc.
▪ Soyabean pods are ready for harvest when about
85% or more of the pods have turned brown for a
non-shattering variety. This is about when 9 out of 10
pods turn brown.
▪ For a shattering variety, harvest when 80% of the
pods (that is 8 out of 10 pods) have turned brown.
▪ It is best to harvest when the grains contain between
13 – 15% moisture.
You can test the readiness of the pods for harvest by shaking
them. If you hear the seeds / grains making rattling noise
within the pods, then they are ready for harvest. At this stage,
any further delay in harvesting may result in pod shattering.

4.2 Harvesting methods

▪ Always harvest soyabean under dry weather
conditions for better grain quality.
▪ Soyabean should be harvested by using hoes,
sickle or machete, etc. to cut the plants at soil level.
This method allows the roots of the soyabean plants to
be left in the soil so that they can decompose and add

Proper harvest planning for increased soyabean yield 57

 nitrogen and organic matter to the soil to improve its
fertility. Recommended.
▪ It is not advisable to harvest soyabean by
uprooting the whole plants. This harvesting method
removes the roots from the soil and decrease the
amount of residual nitrogen that can be added to the
soil to improve fertility. It also decreases the organic
matter build up in the soil.
▪ Harvest either early in the morning or in the late
afternoon to avoid yield losses through pod shattering.

4.3 Post-harvest handling

▪ After harvesting, heap the soyabean plants on a
tarpaulin to dry in the sun for up to 10 days before
threshing. It is important to turn over the heap at a
regular interval for faster, proper, and uniform drying.
▪ Always protect the pods being dried from possible
rainfall, dust, and other contaminants.
▪ Thresh mechanically using a thresher or manually by
beating the dry pods with sticks.
▪ After threshing, clean the grains by removing weed
seeds, debris, and other foreign materials. This helps
to ensure quality grains to meet recommended quality
standards and for better grain price.
▪ Dry the grains to a commercial moisture content of
12–13% for storage lasting up to one year. If you
intend to store for more than a year, dry the grains to a
moisture content of around 10%.
▪ U can test the grains to determine if they are
adequately dry for storage by biting. If the grain breaks
or cracks, it is dry enough but if it bends or sticks
between your teeth, the grains are not dry enough.

Proper harvest planning for increased soyabean yield 58

 ▪ Store the well dried grains in clean and
uncontaminated bags.
▪ Do not use recycled fertilizer or chemical bags to store
soyabean grains.
▪ Store the soybean grains in a cool, dry and ventilated
room or hut.
▪ Place the bagged soyabean grains on a wooden board
such that the bags do not lie or touch the ground.
▪ Jute bags are usually preferable because they do not
conserve heat and allow soyabean grains to be stored
for a longer time.
▪ Ensure that the storage room is well ventilated.

4.4 Residue management

▪ Do not burn the soyabean residues after harvesting.
▪ Leave all the residues (including falling leaves, stover
after threshing, roots, etc.) in the field.
▪ Make sure to spread the residues uniformly across the
field. These will decompose and add nitrogen to the
soil to improve the fertility to enhance the yield of crops
like maize that will succeed the soyabean in rotation.
▪ Retaining the residues in the field is also important for
organic matter build up for moisture retention and
longer-term soil fertility maintenance – especially
nitrogen and carbon stocks.
▪ Residues of plants that were infected with diseases
and pests should be removed from the field and either
deeply buried or burned.

Proper harvest planning for increased soyabean yield 59

Proper harvest planning for increased soyabean yield 60