Evaluating the Impact of Soybean Seed Size on Yield and Emergence

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By Dairyland Seed Agronomy Team

Years of agronomic research confirm that soybean seed vigor, not physical size, is the critical factor for establishing a uniform stand and maximizing yield potential. Multiple university trials, including studies from Purdue University and a multi-year analysis by the University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University, consistently demonstrate that seed size has no statistically significant effect on final soybean yield when compared at common seeding rates.  While seed size does not drive yield, it can influence speed of emergence in specific environments. The most important factor is seed vigor, defined as the seed’s ability to produce rapid, uniform emergence and healthy seedlings across a range of field conditions.

Key Takeaway: The primary driver of stand establishment and yield is seed vigor and uniformity, not seed size. Management should focus on sourcing high-vigor seed, optimizing planter setup, and ensuring proper calibration for accurate plantability. Small seeds are often more resistant to mechanical damage, but regardless of size, high-quality seed treatments and sound planting practices are essential. The most common planter errors with small seeds involve using the wrong seed disk and failing to reduce vacuum pressure. Ultimately, a strategy centered on vigor and uniformity, supported by proper mechanical and agronomic practices, is the most reliable path to maximizing soybean yield potential.

Click the link to learn more in our Crop Bulletin: Evaluating the Impact of Soybean Seed Size on Yield and Emergence.