I'm planting about 10 acres of soy beans, iron and clay peas, and eagle beans this weekend in KY. Can anyone give me any advice on inoculating the beans. I've planted beans many times in plots but have no experience in using an inoculant. This will be the most $ I have ever sank into a bean field and I want to get the most out of my time. Thanks, and I will update with the progress.
Food Plots Bean inoculation?
- Thread starter Jmed
- Start date
MickThompson
Well-Known Member
Inoculant is symbiotic bacteria that creates the nodules on the roots of legumes where they fix nitrogen. If the field has previously had soybeans or cowpeas in it, the bacteria should already be there. You have to use the right species of inoculant for the crop you are planting. Coat the seed with sugar water and stir inoculant into the seed. It needs to be protected from the sun as UV will kill the bacteria. Don't use coke as a sticker either- it is too acidic and will kill the bacteria. Once it dries, the seed isn't terribly sticky and can be planted as usual.
After a month of growth, I'm impressed with my bean/ pea mix plots. The two fields on the top of the ridge are just getting hammered as you can see in some of the pics. I tossed out a few lbs of daikon radishes in the bare spots and they are popping up allin these fields. My bottom plot is moist creek bottom ground and those beans are over knee high and very lush. Its nice to see all the hard work in the heat pay off
