WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., March 14 (UPI) -- U.S. agriculture experts say more growers are focusing on continuous corn because of biofuels needs but beans on beans may be more common in some areas.
"This focus on biofuels is causing a shift in production systems. In areas where a grower can continuously grow 200 bushels-plus corn, there may be a shift to continuous corn at least in the short run," said Shawn Conley, a Purdue University soybean specialist. "However, in areas where the soils are poorly drained and the yield potential for corn is significantly less, we may see more growers focus on continuous soybeans."
But Conley said growers planting beans on beans need to monitor issues related to weed control, spend more time selecting a soybean variety and rotate soybean varieties yearly to mitigate disease and nematode related issues.
"Herbicide selection will also be important," Conley said. "Growers should consider some form of residual product that offers an additional herbicide mode of action so as not to increase the risk of glyphosate-resistant weeds."
Not only is soybean variety selection important but rotating varieties to avoid susceptibility to pests and diseases is also crucial, he added.
