Relationships between characteristics of soybean production in Tennessee, the number of contacts the producer had with extension and their use of certain production practices

The major purpose of this study was to obtain information that might be useful in developing Extension plans and programs for the soybean producers of Tennessee, characterize soybean production in Tennessee, and identify variables related to the use of soybean production practices. A total of 965 soybean producers located in Tennessee provided survey data in 1982. Tennessee County Extension agents conducted personal interviews with the producers. The "nth" number method of sampling was used to select the producers to be surveyed. According to the guidelines of the survey, producers interviewed must have grown at least 25 acres of soybeans in 1982. Information was obtained regarding the general production practices and the number of contacts the producer had with Extension agents over a 12 month period. The data were coded and computations were made by the University of Tennessee Computing Center. Chi-Square and a one-way analysis of variance F test were used to determine the strength of relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Chi-Square and F values which achieved the .05 probability level were accepted as significant. Findings indicated that the disk was the major equipment used in seedbed preparation. Over one-half of the producers used an inoculant and molybdenum on seed at planting, planted certified seed, fertilized and limed according to soil test, planted disease free seed and used crop rotation to control disease, used crop rotation to control cyst nematodes, and used chemicals to control weeds. The yield per acre which soybean producers had was significantly influenced by 38 out of 54 production practices. Producers fertilizing and liming by soil test had higher yield per acre than those not using soil test. There was a significant relationship between size and fertilization practices and harvesting, storing, and marketing practices. The number of contacts soybean producers had with Extension was significantly related to the use of 22 of the production practices.