THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS commercial soybean testing program was started in 1969 as a result of requests by seedsmen that their private varieties be tested. There were 129 conventional and 717 roundup resistant varieties from 72 seed companies tested in 2004. This total included 295 varieties entered as 'Producer Nominated' varieties, fees for the Producer Nominated varieties were paid by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board.

The purpose of this commercial soybean testing program is to provide unbiased, objective, and accurate testing of all varieties entered. The tests are conducted on as uniform a soil as is available in the testing area. Small plots are used to reduce the chance of soil and climatic variations occurring between one variety plot and another.

The results of these tests should help you judge the merits of varieties in comparison with other private and public varieties. Because your soils and management may differ from those of the test location, you may wish to plant variety strips of the higher-performing varieties on your farm. The results printed in this circular should help you decide which varieties to try.

TEST PROGRAM

Selection of entries. Seed companies in Illinois and surrounding states were invited to enter soybean varieties, brands, or blends in the 2004 Illinois soybean performance trials. Entrants were required to enter all nonirrigated, 30-inch-row-width trials on a regional basis. To finance the testing program, a fee of $80 per location was charged for each variety entered by the seed company. Most of these varieties, brands, or blends are commercially available, but some experimental varieties were also entered. A total of 3,841 entries were tested in 2004.

Number and location of tests. In 2004, tests were conducted at 13 locations in the state. These sites represent the major soils and maturity zones of the state.

Nonirrigated, 30-inch-row-width trials, conventional and roundup resistant, were conducted on a regional basis. The regions are as follows:

Region 1 - Erie, Mt. Morris and DeKalb

Region 2 - Monmouth, Goodfield and Dwight

Region 3 - Perry, New Berlin and Urbana

Region 4 - Brownstown and Belleville

Region 5 - Carbondale and Dixon Springs

Seven-inch-row-width conventional and roundup resistant trials were conducted at Urbana.

Field plot design. Entries of each test were replicated three times in a randomized complete block or alpha lattice design. The 30-inch-row trial plots consisted of four rows, each 21 feet long. The center two rows of each plot were harvested to measure yield. The 7-inch-row trial plots consisted of eight rows, each 21 feet long. The center six rows were harvested to measure yield.

Fertility and weed control. All test locations were at a high level of fertility. Herbicides were used at all test locations for weed control. Weed control for the roundup resistant trials consisted of post-emergence applications of Roundup as needed, no pre-emergence herbicide was used. Plots were also weeded by hand if needed.

Method of planting and harvesting. The 30-inch-row variety trials were planted with a modified bean planter, 30-inch-row trials were seeded at a rate of 166,000 seeds/acre. A custom-built, cone type, narrow-row drill was used to plant the 7-inch-row trial at Urbana, this 7-inch-row trial was seeded at a rate of 216,000 seeds/acre. Harvesting was done with a small-plot combine. No allowances were made for beans that may have been lost as a result of combining or shattering.

Soybean Cyst Nematode. Soil samples were taken from variety plots at each location in August and evaluated for cyst populations. Threshold numbers of cysts per 100cc of soil are as follows:

Low 1-5

Medium 6-25

High >25

Yield. Soybean yield was measured in bushels (60 pounds) per acre at a moisture content of 13 percent. An electronic moisture monitor was used on the combine for all moisture readings.

Maturity. Maturity was stated as the date when approximately 95 percent of the pods were ripe.

Lodging. The amount of lodging was rated at harvest time. The following scale was used:

1 - Almost all plants erect

2 - All plants leaning slightly or a few plants down

3 - All plants leaning moderately (45^o), or 25 to 50 percent of the plants down

4 - All plants leaning considerably, or 50 to 80 percent of the plants down

5 - Almost all plants down

Height. Height was measured shortly before harvest as the average length of plants from the ground to the tip of the main stem.

Shattering. The percentage of open pods was estimated at harvest time. The following scale was used:

1 - No shattering

2 - 1 to 10% of pods open

3 - 10 to 25% of pods open

4 - 25 to 50% of pods open

5 - Over 50% 0f pods open

Shattering was not significant at any location.

It is impossible to obtain an exact measure of performance when conducting any test of plant material. Harvesting efficiency may vary, soils may not be uniform, and many other conditions may produce variability. Results of repeated tests are more reliable than those of a single year or a single-strip test. When one variety consistently out yields another at several test locations and over several years of testing, the chances are good that this difference is real and should be considered in selecting a variety. However, yield is not the only indicator. You should also consider maturity, lodging, plant height and shattering.

As an aid in comparing soybean varieties, brands, and blends within a single trial, certain statistical tests have been devised. One of these tests, the least significant difference (L.S.D.), when used in the manner suggested by Carmer and Swanson¹ is quite simple to apply and is more appropriate than most other tests. When two varieties are compared and the difference between them is greater than the tabulated L.S.D. value, the varieties are judged to be "significantly different."

The L.S.D. is a number expressed in bushels per acre and presented following the average yield for each location. An L.S.D. level of 25% is shown. Find the highest yielding soybean variety within the regional table or single location table of interest, subtract the 25% L.S.D. value from the highest yielding variety, every variety with a greater yield than the resulting number is 'statistically the same' as the highest yielding variety. Consider the merits of the varieties in this group when making varietal selections.

In a study of the frequencies of occurrence of three types of statistical errors and their relative seriousness, Carmer² found strong arguments for an optimal significance level in the range = 0.20 to 0.40, where is the Type I statistical error rate for comparisons between means that are really equal. Herein, a value of = 0.25 is used in computing the L.S.D. 25-percent level shown in the tables.

To make the best use of the information presented in this circular and to avoid any misunderstanding or misrepresentation of it, the reader should consider an additional caution about comparing varieties. Readers who compare varieties in different trials or row spacings should be extremely careful, because no statistical tests are presented for that purpose. Readers should note that the difference between a single varieties performance at one location or row spacing and its performance at another is caused primarily by environmental effects and random variability. Furthermore, the difference between the performance of variety A in one trial or row spacing and the performance of variety B in another trial or row spacing is the result not only of environmental effects and random variability, but of genetic effects as well.

¹Carmer, S.G. and M.R. Swanson. "An Evaluation of Ten Pairwise Multiple Comparison Procedures by Monte Carlo Methods." Journal of American Statistical Association 68:66-74. 1973.

²Carmer, S.G. "Optimal Significance Levels for Application of the Least Significant Difference in Crop Performance Trials." Crop Science 16:95-99, 1976.

2004 TEST FIELDS

Erie

Location: Slaymaker farm, Whiteside county, west of Rock Falls, northwestern Illinois.

Soil Type: Beaucoup silty clay loam.

Cooperator: Robert Slaymaker.

Planting Date: May 4.

Harvest Date: September 30 & October 6.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post- FirstRate, Select

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring field cultivate.

S.C.N.: low.

Mt. Morris

Location: Nelson farm, Ogle county, North of Mt. Morris, north central Illinois.

Cooperator: Rick Nelson.

Soil type: Muscatine silt loam.

Planting Date: May 4.

Harvest Date: October 6.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post-FirstRate, Select.

Roundup Trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring field cultivate.

S.C.N.: medium.

DeKalb

Location: University of Illinois, Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center, DeKalb County, southwest of DeKalb.

Soil type: Flanagan silt loam.

Cooperators: Lyle Paul, research director; Dave Lindgren, farm foreman.

Planting date: May 5.

Harvest dates: October 7.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post-Basagran.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall plow, spring mulch finisher.

S.C.N.: medium.

Monmouth

Location: University of Illinois, Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, Warren County, northwest of Monmouth.

Soil type: Muscatine silt loam.

Cooperators: Eric Adee, agronomist; Martin Johnson, farm foreman.

Planting date: May 6.

Harvest dates: September 21 & October 5.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary & Canopy XL. Post- Fusion, FirstRate, Resource.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring field cultivate.

S.C.N.: low.

Goodfield

Location: Wurmnest farm, Woodford county, north of Goodfield, central Illinois.

Cooperator: Mike Wurmnest.

Soil Type: Ipava silt loam.

Planting date: May 6.

Harvest date: September 20 &29.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post-FirstRate, Select.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring soil finisher.

S.C.N. medium.

Dwight

Location: Grundy County, Hoffman Farm.

Soil type: Reddick silty clay loam.

Cooperator: Allen Hoffman.

Planting date: May 5.

Harvest dates: September 22 & October 5.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post-FirstRate, Select.

Roundup trial : Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring field cultivate.

S.C.N.: medium.

Perry

Location: Pike County, Rod Webel Farm, west central Illinois.

Soil type: Rozetta silt loam.

Cooperators: Mike Vose, farm foreman.

Planting date: May 3.

Harvest dates: September 13 & 28.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post-FirstRate, Select.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring field cultivate.

S.C.N.: low.

New Berlin

Location: King farm, Sangamon county, north of New Berlin, Central Illinois.

Cooperator: Ike King.

Soil type: Sable silty clay loam.

Planting date: May 7.

Harvest date: September 14 & 27.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post-FirstRate, Select.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring field cultivate.

S.C.N. low.

Urbana

Location: University of Illinois, Crop Sciences Research & Education Center, Champaign County, east central Illinois.

Soil type: Flanagan silt loam.

Cooperators: Robert Dunker, farm manager; Mike Kleiss, farm foreman.

Planting dates: May 7.

Harvest dates: September 10, 13, 23, October 3.

Herbicide: Pre-Boundary, Post-FirstRate, Select, Basagran.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall deep rip, spring field cultivate.

S.C.N.: low.

Brownstown

Location: University of Illinois, Brownstown Agronomy Research Center, Fayette County, south central Illinois.

Soil type: Cisne silt loam.

Cooperators: Lindell Deal, field worker.

Planting date: May 11.

Harvest dates: September 22 & 30.

Herbicide: Pre- Canopy XL & Dual II Mag. Post-FirstRate, Select.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall disk, spring combination tillage tool.

S.C.N.: low.

Belleville

Location: Southern Illinois University Research Center, east of Belleville, St. Clair County.

Soil type: Ebbert silt loam.

Cooperators: Dr. Ed Varsa, research director; Ron Krausz, field manager.

Planting date: May 21.

Harvest date: September 29 & October 11 & 17.

Herbicide: PPI- Triscept+Treflan+Authority.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: fall chisel, spring disk & cultimulcher.

S.C.N.: low.

Carbondale

Location: Oval Myers farm, North of Carbondale, Jackson County, extreme southern Illinois.

Soil type: Weir silt loam.

Cooperators: Dr. Ed Varsa, research director; Paul Pinnon, field manager.

Planting date: May 12.

Harvest dates: September 20 & October 1.

Herbicide: Pre- Canopy XL & Dual II Mag. Post-FirstRate.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: spring disk & field cultivate.

S.C.N.: medium.

Dixon Springs

Location: University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Pope County, extreme southern Illinois.

Soil type: Belknap silt loam.

Cooperators: Steve Ebelhar, research director; Carl Hart, research specialist.

Planting date: May 20.

Harvest dates: September 21 & October 4 & 22.

Herbicide: Pre- Canopy XL & Dual II Mag. Post-FirstRate, Poast Plus.

Roundup trial: Post- Roundup.

Tillage: spring disk (twice).

S.C.N.: medium.

GROWING SEASON RAINFALL, 2004

SOURCES OF SEED

Atlas, Mycogen Seeds, 9330 Zionsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268 (800-692-6436)

Agrinetics, Agrinetics Inc, 1764 Winward Ave, Naperville, IL 60563 (630-355-1054)

AgSource, AgSource Seeds Inc, 1800 L Ave, Nevada, IA 50201 (515-971-5907)

AgVenture, AgVenture Seeds, 1763 E 200 N Rd, Hoopeston, IL 60942 (217-375 4335)

Asgrow, Monsanto, 800 N Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63167 (800-833-5252)

Baker, Baker Seed Co, 610 W. Seminary St, West Salem, IL 62476 (618-456-8851)

Beck's, Beck's Superior Hybrids, 6767 E 276^th St, Atlanta, IN 46031 (800-937-2325)

Bergmann-Taylor, Bergmann-Taylor Inc, 10073 Ellis Rd, St Jacob, IL 62281 (618-644-5522)

Bio Gene, Bio Gene Seeds, 5491 Tri-County Hwy, Sardinia, OH 45171 (888-862-3276)

Bo-Jac, Bo-Jac Seed Co, 245 1500^th Ave, Mt. Pulaski, IL 62548 (217-792-5001)

Brown, Brown Seed Enterprises Inc, 289 Co Rd 550 N, Neoga, IL 62447 (888-895-2335)

Crow`s, Crow's Hybrid Corn Co, 612 E Dunlap, Kentland, IN 47951 (800-331-7201)

Dairyland, Dairyland Seed Co. Inc, PO Box 958, West Bend, WI 53095 (800-236-0163)

DeKalb, Monsanto, 800 N Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63167 (800-833-5252)

Delta Grow, Delta Grow Seed, P.O. Box 219, England, AR 72046 (501-842-2572)

Delta King, Delta King Seed Co, PO Box 970, McCrory, AR 72101 (870-731-2992)

Delta & Pine Land, Delta & Pine Land, 1301 E 50^th St, Lubbock, TX 79404 (806-740-1600)

DeRaedt, DeRaedt Seed Corp, 10 N 971 Tower Rd, Hampshire, IL 60140 (847-464-5553)

Diener, Diener Seeds, 371 N Diener Rd, Reynolds, IN 47980 (800-545-8611)

Excel, Excel Brand, 116 E State, Camp Point, IL 62320 (800-593-7708)

Excel, Illinois Pride Genetics, 21614 N State Hwy 130, Hidalgo, IL 62432 (618-793-2220)

Excel, Miller Bros Frm & Frt,2001 Niemansville Trail, Walshville, IL 62091 (217-456-9311)

Farm Advantage, Farm Advantage, 1275 Hwy 69, Belmond IA 50421 (641-444-3344)

Fontanelle, Fontanelle Hybrids, 10981 8^th St, Fontanelle, NE 68044 (402-721-1410)

FS Hisoy, Growmark Inc, 1701 Towanda Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701 (309-557-6399)

Garst, Garst Seed Co, 2369 330^th St, Box 500 Slater, IA 50244 (800-831-6630)

Gateway, Gateway Seed Co, 5517 Van Buren Rd, Nashville, IL 62263 (618-327-8000)

GMA, GMA Seed Company, 2 Myrica Way, Old Lyme, CT 06371 (860-434-7599)

Golden Harvest, Sommer Bros Seed Co, PO Box 248, Pekin, IL 61555 (800-747-2127)

Golden Harvest, Golden Seed Co LLC, 27525 135^th Ave N, Cordova, IL 61242 (800-421-1169)

Golden Harvest, Garwood Seed Co,1929 N 2050 E Rd,Stonington,IL 62567 (800-500-3715)

Golden Harvest, Thorp Seed Co, RR 3, PO Box 257, Clinton, IL 61727 (800-648-2676)

Great Heart, Great Heart Seed, 220 W Washington, Paris, IL 61944 (217-465-4132)

Great Lakes, Great Lakes Hybrids, 9915 W M-21, Ovid, MI 48866 (800-257-7333)

Helena, Helena Brand Seed,11711 N Penn. St, Suite 270, Carmel, IN 46032 (317-815-6370)

Henkel, Henkel Seeds Inc, 107 Cedar Grove, Mendota, IL 61342 (815-539-9317)

Hoblit, Hoblit Seed Co, PO Box 487, Atlanta, IL 61723 (217-648-2392)

Hoffman, Hoffman Seed House, PO Box 66, 200 E 4^th St, Hoffman, IL 62250 (618-495-2617)

Horizon, Horizon Genetics LLC, PO Box 31, Mason City, IL 62664 (800-533-2879)

Hubner, Hubner Seed Co. Inc, 10280 W SR 28, West Lebanon, IN 47991 (765-893-4428)

Hughes, Hughes Seed Farms, 206 N Hughes Rd, Woodstock, IL 60098 (815-338-1141)

IPAP, Identity Preserved Ag Prod, 9531 W 78th St, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3894 (952-941-0031)

Kaltenberg, Kaltenberg Seed Farms, PO Box 278, Waunakee, WI 53597 (608-849-5021)

Kitchen, Kitchen Seed Co, PO Box 286, Arthur, IL 61911 (217-543-3476)

Kruger, Kruger Seed Co, 33938 160^th Ave, Dike, IA 50624 (800-772-2721)

Latham, Latham Seed Co, 131 180^th St, Alexander, IA 50420-8028 (641-692-3258)

Lewis, Lewis Hybrids Inc, 530 W Maple Ave, Box 38, Ursa, IL 62376 (800-252-7851)

LG Seeds, LG Seeds, 22827 Shissler Rd, Elmwood, IL 61529 (309-742-2211)

Martin, Martin Seeds Inc, 10045 W 2^nd St, Williamsport, IN 47993 (765-986-2030)

M&D Seed, M&D Seed, 8982 Ford Rd, Kinmundy, IL 62854 (618-292-7498)

Merschman, Merschman Seeds Inc, 103 Ave D, West Point, IA 52656 (800-848-7333)

MW Premium Gen, Midwest Premium Genetics, PO Box 688, Concordia, MO 64020 (660-463-7333)

Midwest Seed Gen, MW Seed Genetics, 23751 Hwy 30 East, Carroll, IA 51401 (800-369-8218)

Miles, Miles Seed, PO Box 22879, Owensboro, KY 42304-2879 (800-666-4537)

Monier, Monier Seed & Service, 846 Yankee Lane, Sparland, IL 61565 (309-469-2511)

Moweaqua, Moweaqua Seed Co, 600 E Main St, Moweaqua IL 62550 (217-768-4513)

Munson, Munson Hybrids, 1262 Knox Rd 100 E, Galesburg, IL 61401 (309-343-8410)

MWS, MWS Seeds LLC, 2737 N 700 E Rd, Ashkum, IL, 60911 (815-698-2204)

NC+, NC+ Hybrids, 311 Rd 3168, Hastings, NE 68901 (402-463-5661)

NK Brand, NK Brand Syngenta Seeds, PO Box 959, Minneapolis, MN 55440 (800-445-0956)

NU-AG, NU-AG Seeds Ltd, PO Box 345, Tuscola, IL 61953 (217-253-4066)

Pioneer, Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l, 14171 Carole Dr, Bloomington, IL 61704 (800-950-3489)

Prairie Brand, Prairie Brand Seed Co, 15 X Ave, Story City, IA 50248 (800-544-8751)

Public Varieties, IFSI, PO Box 722, Champaign, IL 61824 (217-485-6260)

Quality Plus, Quality Plus Seed Co, 711 N I St, Monmouth, IL 61462-1063 (309-734-5764)

Renk, Renk Seed, 6800 Wilburn Rd, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 (608-837-7351)

Roeschley, Roeschley Hybrids, 8222 E 1500 N Rd, Graymont, IL 61743 (815-743-5938)

Sieben, Sieben Hybrids Inc, 633 N College Ave, Genesco, IL 61254 (309-944-5131)

Southern States, Southern States Coop, PO Box 26234, Richmond, VA 23260 (804-281-1203)

Stewart, Stewart Seeds Inc, 2230 E CR 300 N, Greensburg, IN 47240 (800-365-7333)

Steyer, Steyer Seed, 6154 N Co Rd 33, Tiffin, OH 44883 (800-231-4274)

Stine, Stine Seed Co, 2225 Laredo Trail, Adel, IA 50003 (800-362-2510)

Stone, Stone Seed Farms Inc, 5965 W State Rt 97, Pleasant Plains, IL 62677 (217-546-8006)

Sun Prairie, Champaign County Seed Co, 1676 CR 2200 E, St Joseph, IL 61873 (217-469-2351)

Trelay, HighCycle by Trelay, 11623 Hwy 80, Livingston, WI 53554 (608-943-6363)

Trisler, Trisler Seed Farms Inc, 3274 E 800 N Rd, Fairmount, IL 61841 (217-288-9301)

Vigoro, Royster-Clark Inc, 717 Robinson Rd, Washington CH, OH 43160 (800-659-7790)

Wilken, Wilken Seed Grains Inc, PO Box 770, Pontiac, IL 61764 (815-844-3458)

Willcross, Neco Seed Farms Inc, PO Box 379, Garden City, MO 64747 (816-862-8203)