Section 6 Table of Contents
Table 1.6-5. Soybean growth stage descriptions.
Vegetative Stages
| Stage No. |
Description |
| V(N) |
N nodes on the main stem with completely unrolled leaves, beginning with the unifoliate leaves |
| V1 |
Unifoliate leaves completely unrolled |
| V2 |
Leaves at node directly above unifoliate leaves completely unrolled |
| V3 |
Three nodes with completely unrolled leaves, including unifoliates |
Reproductive Stages
| Stage No. |
Description |
| Adapted from: W. R. Fehr, C.E. Caviness, D. T. Burmood, and J. S. Pennington. 1971. “Stage of development descriptions for soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merrill.” Crop Science 11:929-31; and Pedersen, P. 2004. Soybean Growth and Development Iowa State University Extension. Publication PM 1945. |
| R1 |
One flower at any node |
| R2 |
Flower at node immediately below the node with a completely unrolled leaf |
| R3 |
Pod is 1/2 cm (3/16 inch) long at one of the four uppermost nodes with a completely unrolled leaf |
| R4 |
Pod is 2 cm (3/4 inch) long at one of the four uppermost nodes with a completely unrolled leaf |
| R5 |
Seeds beginning to develop (can be felt by squeezing or at least 1/8 inch long) at one of the four uppermost nodes with a completely unrolled leaf |
| R6 |
Pod containing a green seed that fills the pod cavity at one of the four uppermost nodes with a completely unrolled leaf |
| R7 |
Pods yellowing (one normal pod on the main stem that has reached its mature pod color - brown or tan) |
| R8 |
95% of the pods have reached their mature pod color, approximately 5 to 10 days prior to harvest |
