Key Points
- Objective: In this study, we are evaluating the yield and economic performance of various manual soybean planting depths compared to automated variable depth planting using SmartDepth control.
- Furrow Moisture: Our studies show that the best furrow moisture level to plant at is near 32% furrow moisture.
- Continuous Monitoring: As soil conditions change across your field, and to achieve the ideal planting depth for your field, it’s important to be able to measure moisture in real-time. SmartFirmer and SmartDepth are valuable additions for exactly this.
Pop quiz! The ideal soybean planting depth is...
A) 1.5"
B) 2”
C) 2.5”
D) second knuckle of index finger
The correct answer is: It depends!
Ideal planting depth depends on moisture. Soil moisture is a critical component for seed germination, uniform plant emergence, and ultimately crop yield. We’ve discovered that the ideal furrow moisture to plant at is near a 32% moisture level. This has typically correlated with our highest-yield planting depths.
The ideal planting depth is achieved by measuring the moisture in real-time and adjusting your planting depth to match. You may even find that soil conditions will change across your field. This is why it is critical to have your planter equipped to measure moisture levels and change your planting depth without leaving the cab using our SmartFirmer, SmartDepth, and 20|20 Monitor.
Our 2024 data reveals that SmartDepth achieved the highest soybean yield in the study at 63.2 Bu/A. The 1.5" planting depth fell short of SmartDepth by -0.4 Bu/A with an economic loss of -$4.58/A. A depth of 2.75" was the lowest yielding depth at -2.6 Bu/A.
Multi-year data over the last 4 years has shown that a 2" manual setting has shown the highest yield gain at 72.1 Bu/A, with shallower settings proving loss in yield. Over this same timeframe, automated SmartDepth has been within an average of 0.4 Bu/A of the best manual setting.
Furrow moisture levels from 2024 illustrate an average furrow moisture of 39.9% across all planter rows when SmartDepth was implemented to obtain ideal planting depth into moisture. Currently, the recommendation for ideal furrow moisture levels to achieve adequate soybean emergence is near 32%.
While we continue to do research on how to continually customize setting to achieve the proper planting depth, it is clear that by using SmartDepth, SmartFirmer, and a 20|20 monitor, growers can measure and chase the furrow moisture line to adjust planting depth as needed.
In-Depth Study Videos
InsidePTI
Planting Depth ‣ Corn & Soybean
Study Details
Study data collected in 2024 at the PTI Farm in Pontiac, IL.
| Planting Date | May 15th | Rotation | BAC |
| Row Width | 30" | Population | 130K |
| Soybean Prices | $11.46 | Hybrid | Golden Harvest 3533E3 |
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