Once you purchase quality seed, remember to handle it carefully as soybean is more sensitive to rough handling then most other crop seed. Check you planters to be sure the seed coat is not being broken during planting. A seeding depth between 1 and 1.5 inches is best for soybeans. Emergence problems can occur at seeding depths greater than 2 inches. At the deeper seeding depths, emergence is slower and can increase the chance for damage from insects and diseases.
Many new inoculants are available on the market.
The inoculant organism is what supplies the soybean plant with nitrogen. Research by Dr. Jeff Fuhrman with the University of Delaware's Department of Plant and Soil Sciences has demonstrated that many of the native Bradyrhizobia bacteria in our soils are either not very effective at fixing -nitrogen or actually produce a toxin that can limit soybean yields. Once planted and emerged, scout your fields to guard against early insect problems, weed breaks, and nutrient imbalances. Follow these suggestions and you should end up with a vigorous stand with top yield potential. Vegetable Crop Insects - Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist.