Dan Luo , Yunxia Chen , Hangming Lin

Tropical Legume Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Field Crop, 2025, Vol. 8, No. 4   
Received: 13 May, 2025    Accepted: 23 Jun., 2025    Published: 18 Jul., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Soybean (Glycine max) is a globally important crop serving as a major source of food, feed, and industrial products, yet achieving consistently high yields under diverse agro-ecological conditions remains a significant challenge. In this study, we explored the agronomic optimization of fertilization and irrigation regimes to enhance soybean yield through a comprehensive analysis of nutrient requirements, targeted fertilization strategies, and precision irrigation practices. We examined the macronutrient and micronutrient demands of soybean across different growth stages and highlighted innovations such as integrated nutrient management, site-specific applications, and controlled-release fertilizers. Irrigation scheduling based on evapotranspiration models and soil moisture sensors was evaluated, along with the impacts of drought and waterlogging on yield and plant physiology. Furthermore, we analyzed the synergistic effects of fertigation, nutrient-water interactions, and the use of advanced precision agriculture tools-including remote sensing, UAVs, and AI-based decision support systems. A case study in the U.S. Midwest soybean belt demonstrated the successful application of variable rate fertilization and automated irrigation, leading to significant yield improvements and reduced environmental impact. This research underscores the importance of synchronizing nutrient and water management in soybean production and suggests future directions for integrating climate-resilient strategies and farmer-accessible technologies to support sustainable intensification.

Soybean yield optimization; Fertilization strategies; Irrigation scheduling; Precision agriculture; Nutrient-water interactIons