Soybean is able to fix most of the N it needs through its symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria. It also takes up residual and mineralized N from the soil. Traditionally, soybean has been grown successfully without addition of N fertilizer.

What is the best fertilizer for soybeans?

Soil pH of 6 – 6.8 is ideal. Banding fertilizers and foliar feeding are common application methods but should be considered only when conventional methods are not satisfying. Soybeans grains have a nitrogen content of 40%, therefore an adequate fertilization of nitrogen is a key factor in achieving high quality yields.

How much fertilizer do you put on soybeans?

Agronomists know that soybeans require 4.5-5 pounds of N per bushel produced. A 60-bushel crop will require about 300 pounds, and soybeans fix only enough nitrogen to produce about 50 or 60 bushels — and often, maybe only half of what the plant needs. So the rest of that nitrogen has to come from the soil.