Consult performance trial results to determine plant height characteristics of varieties. Seed Size Seed size is not directly correlated with yield potential as several smaller-seeded varieties have high yield records and vice versa. Seed size is markedly influenced by the environment during the seed enlargement period of growth. Seed size reduction caused by moisture or other stress at the seed-enlargement period can reduce yield substantially. Larger-seeded varieties could encounter more difficulty in emergence than smaller seeded varieties, particularly in cool soil conditions.
Environment plays a large role in affecting seedling emergence.
Heavy rainfall immediately after planting can cause compaction and crusting on some soil types, making emergence difficult. The use of a rotary hoe will help break the crust and enable even the largest-seeded varieties to emerge. Because of variance in seed size among varieties, seeding rates should be calculated on viable seed planted per ground area rather than on weight of seed. The emergence score of soybeans adapted to Nebraska conditions is shown in Table II . This score represents the ability of the seed to emerge under unfavorable conditions in a laboratory test.