Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1990

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agriculture and Extension Education

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr

Committee Members

Roy R. Lessly, Wayne T. Flinchum

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to obtain information that might be useful in developing Extension plans and programs for the soybean producers in Tennessee, characterize soybean production in Tennessee, and identify variables related to the use of soybean production practices. A total of 787 soybean producers located in Tennessee provided survey data in 1986. 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 1986. Information was obtained regarding the general production practices and the number of contacts the producers had with Extension agents over a 12 month period.

The data was coded and computations were made by the University of Tennessee Computing Center. Chi square and analysis of variance F tests were used to determine the relationships between the dependent and independent variables. Chi square and f values of .05 were accepted as significant.

Major findings include the following:

Over 76 percent of the soybean producers were characterized as full-time farmers in 1986, over 64 percent were 41 years of age and over, and over 66 percent reported row crop as major source of farm income. Over 50 percent of the producers reported size of operation of under 200 acres. The mean size of operation was 341 acres.

Full-time producers had more Extension contacts than part-time producers. Younger producers had more Extension contacts than older producers. Row crop farmers received more farm visits than other producers.

Yields produced by soybean farmers were significantly related to 8 of the 12 production practices. Soybean producers who fertilized or limed by soil test, applied fungicide to seed, used crop rotation to control disease, applied inoculant to seed, and used crop rotation to control weeds had significantly higher yields than those that did not.

Producers who planted resistant varieties to control cyst nematode or disease produced significantly lower yields than those who did not.

Full-time farmers were more likely than part-time farmers to lime land by soil test or use crop rotation to control weeds.

Younger producers were no more likely than older producers to use the 12 production practices.

Row crop farmers were more likely than other producers to apply molybdenum to seed, apply fungicide to seed, plant disease resistant varieties, plant resistant varieties to control cyst nematode and to check harvesting loss.

Larger producers were more likely than smaller producers to apply inoculant, molybdenum, or fungicide to seed, plant disease resistant varieties, plant resistant varieties to control cyst nematode, check harvesting loss, and fertilize or lime land by soil test.

Soybean producers who had a higher number of Extension contacts were more likely than producers who had a smaller number of Extension contacts to apply inoculant or molybdenum to seed, and to fertilize or lime by soil test, to apply fungicide to seed, use crop rotation to control disease, cyst nematode and weeds, plant disease resistant varieties to control cyst nematode.

Row crop farmers and larger producers used a significantly higher number of the 12 production practices than other farmers and smaller producers.

Soybean producers who attended meetings, made office visits, made telephone calls, received farm visits or contacted their Extension agent used a significantly higher number of the 12 production practices.

Implication and recommendations also were made.

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