Soybean variety selection

Choose the best soybean varieties for your field

• How to inventory your field, to find a yield-maximizing variety
• A guide to seed quality, maturity and other key factors.
• Buying tips: How many varieties to purchase, traits to ignore and more.

Aphid-resistant soybean varieties for Minnesota fields

• List of resistant soybean varieties available in Minnesota.
• Overview of resistance genes, called Rag genes (Rag1, Rag2, etc.).
• Research on yield: How aphid-resistant varieties compare to aphid-susceptible varieties.

MN adapted 2020 private soybean varieties with Peking resistance

• Private varieties with Peking resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) compiled from seed catalogues
• Includes company, variety name, maturity and herbicide trait(s)
• Few were screened for level of SCN resistance at the University of Minnesota, but for those that have, see 2019 soybean variety trials.

Instructions for 2020 soybean performance checks

2020 Entry letter

The University of Minnesota will be conducting soybean performance tests again in 2020. All varieties must be entered through the form linked on this page by March 23. No hand-written forms will be accepted this year.

Please note the following:

• There is NO limit to the number of entries per company.
• Entered varieties must be commercially released for 2021 with at least 100 acres of seed increase planted (20 acres for special purpose/food type).
• If a variety has been entered before, please provide its "previous I.D."
• Treated seed will be accepted, but seed treatment used must be indicated.
• The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) trial entry charge has been reduced from $575 to $350 per entry.

Trial categories

Four categories of trials will be conducted in 2019 (trials may be combined, depending on number of entries):

• Far north trials (includes all categories: transgenic and non-transgenic, SCN and special purpose/food type trials) ($300/entry)
• General purpose trial (transgenic and non-transgenic commodity-type varieties)  ($300/entry)
• SCN trial for varieties that carry resistance ($350/entry).
• Special purpose/food type trial ($300/entry)

Maturity zones

Performance tests will be conducted in four maturity zones:

• Far northern zone (Thief River Falls, Roseau and Crookston)
  Maturities must be earlier than RM 0.1
• Northern zone (Crookston, Moorhead and Shelly)
  Maturities must be earlier than RM 0.8
• Central Zone (Becker, Morris and Rosemount)
  SCN locations: Benson, Rosemount and Fairfax
  Maturities must be between RM 0.5 and RM 2.2
• Southern zone (Westbrook, Lamberton and Waseca)
  SCN locations: Waseca, Lamberton and Fairfax
  Maturities must be between RM 1.3 and RM 2.4

Other entry information

In addition to type of trial and maturity zone, the web form includes dropdown menus to enter the following information for each variety:

• Transgenic traits (e.g. LibertyLink, Roundup Ready, etc.)
• Flower color
• Pubescence color
• Hilum color
• Phytopthora resistance genes
• Seed treatment
• Other traits

Mailing instructions

• Provide 5 lbs (2500 grams) of seed for each variety entered in the conventional, transgenic and special purpose/food trials. Provide 9 lbs (4500 grams) of seed for each entry in the SCN trial.
• Seed must be received by April 13.
• Costs for the 2020 variety trial are $300 per entry for the conventional, transgenic and special purpose/food type trials and $350 per entry for the SCN trial.

Please note the correct address for seed and payment depending on method of delivery:

Express mail (UPS, FedEx, etc.)

Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
University of Minnesota
37 Crops Services Building
1895 Hendon Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

U.S. Mail

Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
University of Minnesota
1902 Dudley Ave.
Crop Research, Room 118
St. Paul, MN 55108

Fill out the form

Click on the link below to enter varieties in the 2020 trial. Be sure to print a copy of your form before submitting. All entry forms and fees are due by March 23. Deadline for seed is April 132. 

Complete the 2020 variety trial entry form