Soya beans should be planted in ridges or flatland in the month of
December. Delayed planting can result in lower yields, while very early
planting may result in poor seedling establishment. The recommended spacing is
30 to 35cm between lines and 5cm between plants. The seed should be planted 2.5
to 3cm deep.
1.
Types of soya bean cultivars available
Determinate
vs. indeterminate
Soya bean seed has two types of cultivar which is determinate and
indeterminate.
a) Determinate - Will grow vegetatively for about six
weeks, then begin their reproductive stage which is flowering, pod development,
seed development and maturity having put on 12 leaves no further new leaves are
produced on the main stem. Therefore, in simple terms we can conclude to say
determinate cultivar have a specific height they tend to reach and cannot grow
further from there.
b) Whereas indeterminate grow vegetatively for
about six weeks, then begin their reproductive stage when the main stem as about
10 leaves, and continue to grow and produce another five to seven leaves.
Therefore in simple terms these types of cultivar do not have a specific
height, they tend to grow taller depending on how you manage them.
Indeterminate cultivars tend to grow taller than determinate
cultivars.
In soya beans we have early maturing variety (kafue), medium
maturing variety (lukanga, spike and safari) and late maturity variety (Dina).
2.
Land preparation
a) Conventional - This involves mechanical operation
or use of draft animals to plough, disc and rip the soil.
b) Conservation - This is a method of soil cultivation
that leaves the previous year’s crop residue on fields before and after
planting the next crop to reduce soil erosion and runoff. It’s mainly involves
less soil surface disturbance which we refer to as zero tillage. This method
will require application of more herbicides.
c) Minimum tillage - This is a soil conversation
system with a goal of minimum soil manipulation which is less soil disturbance,
where the soil is not turned over. Which in return will reduce, causes build-up
of organic matter in the soil, hence betters physical soil fertility.
3.
Application of fertilizers (D-compound)
Soya beans at planting a farmer can apply D-compound or any fertilizer
tailor made for soya, by broadcasting on the planted field 2 x 50kg bags are
enough to cover a ha. Farmers can skip this stage if they wish to and use
boosters.
Boosters can be applied as follows for better yields, the first at 2
weeks after germination, the second at the first sign of the first flower and
the last 21 days after the second spray. Agricrop stocks high quality boosters
that will give you good results. The booster name is V12 Bio stimulant, it can
be purchased from all Agricrop outlets across the country.
4.
Inoculation
Before the seed is planted it is important to add an inoculant, this
inoculant will assist the crop make its own nitrogen through a bacteria known
as rhizobium, this will in turn benefit the crop and fix nitrogen into the
soil.
5.
Weed management
Weeds are unwanted crops in the field, therefore it is important that they are eliminated in order to avoid competition of nutrient with your crop. Weeds have a high affinity for nutrients, once allowed to grow in your field they will benefit from all the nutrients you will be giving the crop in the end they will cause the crop to be stressed, fail to acquire water, air, sunlight and enjoy the nutrient from the soil. This will then results in an unhealthy crop which will give you low yields.
6.
How do to we ensure that weeds do not compete for nutrients with our crop
This can be done by application of herbicides
or weeding if it’s not a big portion. For herbicides we have selective
herbicides and non-selective herbicides.
a) Non-selective herbicides - These are
herbicides that kill weeds as well as desired plants. In short they kill any
vegetation they come in contact with e.g. Roar extra (glyphosate) which is
systematic and paraquat which is a contact. You can purchase theses herbicides
at all of our Agricrop outlet, contact Henry on +260975683867.
b) Selective herbicides - These are
herbicides which are tailor-made to kill only unwanted material (weeds) and
leave out the desired crop i.e. these herbicides will only kill weeds and leave
out your desired crop e.g. for soya beans Agricrop has Foquiz and limit and for
maize - Anchor.
7.
Insect and Disease Management
a) Insect: Ensure to scout for insects
immediately after crop emerges, and make spraying decisions. Common insects
found in soya beans include; Bean leaf beetles, soybeans aphids, fall
armyworms, stink bugs, cutworms grasshopper etc. These vary from season to
season and farm to farm. Available Agricrop insecticide include Cyfos,
Methomyl, Elufen and Acetamiprid.
b) Disease: Ensure to scout for diseases once the
crop emerges and make spraying decision, common diseases found in soya beans
include: Bacterial pustule, Fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, and Septoria brown
spot etc. It is very important to at least do one fungi spray as a preventive
in your soya crop.
b Agronomist H. Kanyimbo
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