Soybean Growth Stages

The following descriptions of soybean growth stages are taken from the Iowa State University publication "Soybean Growth and Development " (PM 1945). You may use the information from this web page for educational use. Please credit the source with our name and URL: Soybean Extension and Research Program, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University (www.soybeanmanagement.info).

You can also obtain a print copy of this 29-page, full color publication by visiting the website of the Iowa State University Extension Distribution Center,or by calling them at (515) 294-5247.

Using soybean growth stages to maximize yield

Management strategies for improving soybean yield are most effective when you are able to identify the growth stage in which potential yield is affected. For example, the effects of fertilization, frost or hail, moisture stress, plant diseases, and pesticide application on yield will be determined by the growth stage in which these events occur.

How to identify growth stages

The system of soybean growth stages divides plant development into vegetative (V) and reproductive (R) stages. The vegetative stages are numbered according to how many fully-developed trifoliate leaves are present. The reproductive (R) stages begin at flowering and include pod development, seed development, and plant maturation.

The stages can overlap. When determining the growth stage of your crop, consider that a growth stage begins when 50% or more of the plants are in or beyond that stage.

Note: Click on the thumbnail image to view a larger version of the photo

Vegetative Stages
	VE	Emergence - cotyledons have been pulled through the soil surface
	VC	Unrolled unifoliolate leaves - unfolding of the unifoliolate leaves
	V1	First trifoliolate - one set of unfolded trifoliolate leaves
	V2	Second trifoliolate - two sets of unfolded trifoliolate leaves
	V4	Fourth trifoliolate - four unfolded trifoliolate leaves
	V(n)	nth trifoliolate - V stages continue with the unfolding of trifoliolate leaves. The final number of trifoliolate's depends on the soybean variety and the environmental conditions
Reproductive Stages
	R1	Beginning flowering - plants have at least one flower on any node
	R2	Full flowering - there is an open flower at one of the two uppermost nodes
	R3	Beginning pod - pods are 3/16 inch (5 mm) at one of the four uppermost nodes
	R4	Full pod - pods are 3/4 inch (2 cm) at one of the four uppermost nodes
	R5	Beginning seed - seed is 1/8 inch long (3 mm) long in the pod at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem
	R6	Full seed - pod containing a green seed that fills the pod capacity at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem
	R7	Beginning maturity - one normal pod on the main stem has reached it's mature pod color
	R8	Full maturity - 95% of the pods have reached their full mature color