Biofield and Fungicide Seed Treatment Influences on Soybean Productivity, Seed Quality and Weed Community

Soybean production in Iowa USA is among the most productive for raínfed regions in the world. Despite generally having excellent soils, growing season temperatures and rainfall, soybean yields are decreased by weed interference and inadequate available soil water at key stages of crop development. A field study was conducted at two locations in lowa in 2012 to determine if seed-applied fungicide or biofield treatments influenced weed community, soil volumetric water concentration and soybean yield and quality. Application of biofield treatment resulted in lower density of tall waterhemp density, greater soybean stand density at R8 stage and greater seed pod-1 compared to the absence of seed fungicide and biofield­ Soil volumetric water content varied by seed fungicide x biofield x date interaction but differences were not consistent among treatment combinations. Overall, seed fungicide and biofield treatments had similar effects on soybean productivity, however additional research is necessary to determine if biofield treatment is a suitable replacement for seed fungicide application.

Density of tall waterhemp was lower in soybean receiving biofield treatment compared to soybean that did not receive seed fungicide and biofield treatments. Additionally, biofield treatment resulted in greater soybean stand density at R8 developmental stage and greater seed per pod compared to soybean not receiving seed fungicide and biofield treatments. However, pod density, seed mass, aboveground biomass and seed yield were not influenced by fungicide seed or biofield treatment, perhaps due to the high level of yield compensation in soybean. Soil volumetric water content varied by seed fungicide x biofield x date interaction but differences were not consistent among treatment combinations. Overall, seed fungicide and biofield treatments had similar effects on soybean productivity. Additional research is required to determine if biofield treatment can replace seed fungicide application in soybean production systems.