Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
The effect of delayed harvest was investigated with two soybean cultivars that were grown weed free or in competition with johnsongrass or hemp sesbania over a 3-yr period. Johnsongrass reduced the yield of early-maturing ‘Hill’ soybean 32, 35, and 36% when harvested at an average of 1, 2, or 3 wk after maturity, when compared to weed-free yields of 2490, 2430, and 2270 kg ha−1, respectively. Late-maturing ‘Lee 68’ yields were reduced 27, 29, and 39% on three harvest dates compared to weed-free yields of 2570, 2310, and 2200 kg ha−1, respectively. Seed grades of both cultivars improved with delayed harvest, but this was offset when johnsongrass was present. Hemp sesbania reduced yields of Hill 23% on the first harvest date and 26% on the second and third dates. Yields of Lee 68 were reduced 16, 22, and 28% by hemp sesbania on three successive harvest dates. The value of soybean yields adjusted for excessive foreign material, moisture, and damaged kernels was decreased by delayed harvest when hemp sesbania was present in Lee 68 and when johnsongrass was present in both cultivars.