It is important from time to time to review soybeans’ development system. The original Iowa State University (How A Soybean Plant Develops, ISU Special Report No. 53) staging system divides plant development into vegetative (V) and reproductive (R) stages.

Subdivisions of the V stages are designated numerically as V1, V2, V3, through V(n) except for the first two stages, which are designated as VE (emergence) and VC (cotyledon stage). The last V stage is designated as V(n), where (n) represents the number for the last node stage of the specific variety. The (n) will fluctuate with variety and environment. The R stages are subdivided into eight stages. It is important to remember that V stages continue after reproductive stages start.

Shawn Conley at the University of Wisconsin explains all the stages, the impact of stress and management guidelines to follow at different stages here.

Agronomist Dr. Daniel Davidson posts blogs on agronomy-related topics. Feel free to contact him at djdavidson@agwrite.com or ring him at 402-649-5919.