Soybean – Varieties
Variety Testing Procedures
Registered soybean varieties are entered into the Alberta Regional Variety Test Program. These trials are run annually across the province and yield and agronomic data are collected. This data is then made publicly available through the Alberta Pulse Growers and the Alberta Seed Guide.
The data and descriptions include:
- Varieties currently being tested
- Varieties previously tested, with sufficient data, are also listed as “fully tested varieties”.
- When pedigreed seed of the older varieties becomes unavailable in Alberta, the variety will be removed.
Choosing a Soybean Variety
Soybean growers are faced with expanding options of soybean varieties to choose from. Soybean variety selection is one of the most important factors in obtaining a high yielding crop and in reducing the risk of environmental loss of yield as a result of the growing season.
Soybean varieties may have strengths that make them more suitable for some environments and less suitable for others. Soybean maturity is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting the right variety. Additional factors to consider include yield potential as well as disease resistance.
Soybeans are grown and marketed for both human and animal consumption as a source of protein and oil. Soybeans are used for both fermented and unfermented products; as an ingredient for many meat and dairy substitutes; and a fat-free (defatted) soybean meal is a significant source of protein for animal feeds.
Variety ChecklistThere are two types of soybeans, herbicide tolerant and conventional. Each has a different market and may require different levels of management. |
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YIELD |
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Location |
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Standability |
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Maturity |
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SEED SIZE |
Resource: Government of Alberta’s Seeding Rate Calculator. |
MARKET |
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RESOURCES
LINKS
- Alberta Regional Variety Test Program (links to on-line tool)
- Alberta Seed Guide – Seed for Sale
- Government of Alberta – Seeding Rate Calculator
Special thanks to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.