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.

The effect of johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields, grades, and net returns were determined by regression analysis of data from 252 field research plots from 1971 through 1976. Johnsongrass control from 0 to 100% was achieved by various combinations of summer fallow, dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) as a preplanting application at 8.3 kg/ha, or trifluralin (α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine) at 0.8 to 1.7 kg/ha incorporated into the soil before planting. Repeated usage of trifluralin at 1.7 kg/ha, either with or without use of summer fallow, provided the most effective and most profitable soybean production. Foreign material in soybean seed samples was about 0.8% with 100% johnsongrass control and nearly 6% with no control. At least 70% johnsongrass control was required to avoid deductions from gross harvested weights caused by seed moisture levels exceeding 13%. Levels of johnsongrass control in excess of 60% tended to increase soybean test weights. With 100% johnsongrass control, about 1.2% damaged soybean seed occurred; whereas, without johnsongrass control, about 1.7% seed damage occurred. The level of johnsongrass control had little effect on the level of split soybean seed at harvest. Failure to control johnsongrass resulted in predicted soybean grades of 4.1; whereas, nearly 100% johnsongrass control was necessary to provide U.S. No. 1 grade soybeans. Soybean yields were increased 4.8 to 6.2% for each 10% increase in johnsongrass control when plots were not fallowed or after fallowing, respectively. Net returns in soybean production were nearly twice as great with 100% johnsongrass control as when johnsongrass was not controlled.