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Soybean Development Reminders

• The radicle, which becomes the main root of the soybean seed, is the
  first part to emerge once the seed has taken in sufficient water.
• After radicle emerges, the hypocotyl begins to elongate and it forms
  an arch, which pushes up through the soil.
• As the arch breaks through the soil surface it straightens in response
  to sunlight striking it on top and pulls the cotyledons upward and
  free of the soil.
• Upon exposure to sunlight, the upright cotyledons turn green in the
  light, and begin to open.
• The 2 unifoliolate leaves expand above the unfolding cotyledons.
• The first trifoliolate leaf appears above the unifoliolate leaves.
• Food stored in the cotyledons is the main nutrient source for about a
  week after emergence.
• By the time the cotyledons drop off, the seedling is capable of
  supporting itself by photosynthesis.
• VE refers to plant emergence and VC refers to the cotyledon stage.
  Leaf stage designation (V1,V2, etc.) refers to the number of unrolled
  trifoliolate leaves.The picture below shows a V1 soybean.
• The first nodules are present about one week after seedling emergence.
  10 to 14 days later, the nodule bacteria are able to supply most
  of the plant’s nitrogen requirement.Active nodules are pink inside.
• If the soybean plant is broken off or killed back below the lower-most
  dormant bud, regrowth is impossible.

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