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Rolling Soybean
The objective of rolling soybean ground is to push rocks down to the soil surface and level the soil to allow a low combine cutter bar height during harvest. This will reduce harvest loss by cutting soybean stems below pods instead of cutting above or through low pods and leaving seeds in the field. Soybean fields are rolled after planting, either pre-or post-emergence. The advantage with rolling before the crop has emerged is improved seed-to-soil contact and reduced potential for plant injury. Disadvantages are increased potential for soil surface crusting and soil erosion. Rolling fields after the crop has emerged likely will cause plant injury such as cracked or broken stems. Plants will die if the stem is broken below the cotyledon leaves, due to loss of all growing points. Injured plants may be more susceptible to lodging and disease. Limited university research and farmer testimony indicates that rolling between the cotyledon and 1st trifoliate stages of soybean may limit injury potential. Also, roll during the warmest part of the day on less turgid plants to minimize injury potential.
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