Benefits for your soil by cultivating Soybeans – Cultivating soybeans can have numerous benefits for your soil.  These benefits are, for example, promoting soil health and soil fertility and serving as an excellent rotational crop between wheat and maize production.    

Soybeans can thrive in soils suitable for maize but tend to struggle in sandier soil conditions.

1.  Increased soil fertility:

Soybeans are a nitrogen-fixing crop, which means they can capture nitrogen from the air and release it into the soil.  This process, known as nitrogen fixation, enhances nitrogen availability in the soil for both soybeans and the subsequent crops.  Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants, promoting healthy growth and development.

2.  Improved soil structure:

Soybeans also promote better soil structure.  The roots of soybeans penetrate deep into the soil, creating a network of roots that loosen and aerate the soil.  This process enhances water infiltration and reduces the risk of erosion.

3.  Reduced weed pressure:

Cultivating soybeans can help reduce the development of weeds. Soybeans are a dense crop that grows quickly and covers the ground. This density makes it more difficult for weeds to establish and grow.  Additionally, the shade produced by soybean plants hinders weed seeds from receiving sufficient light, preventing their germination and growth.

Atlantic Fertilisers offers several products for soybean establishment.  Composted pelletised chicken manure products, as well as enriched products, are available for broadcast spreading before planting, as well as pelletised products that can be applied in-row with planters.  Please feel free to contact us for assistance in choosing the right product for your specific circumstances.