Soybean Growth Habits

Nearly all soybean varieties exhibit one of two possible growth habits. Most varieties with a determinate growth habit are adapted to maturity group V and later (south). These varieties have rather distinct vegetative and reproductive development periods. Few stem nodes develop once flowering begins and the stem ends with a terminal raceme. Flowers and pods tend to develop at about the same time and rate for all stem nodes. A few varieties with determinate growth habit have been released for northern soybean production areas. These varieties are usually classified as semi-dwarf and obtain about one-half to two-thirds the height of other adapted varieties.

Most indeterminate varieties are adapted to maturity group IV and earlier (north). These varieties have overlapping vegetative and reproductive growth periods. Usually less than one-half of the main stem nodes have developed when flowering begins. Stem growth continues as flowering progresses up the stem. Indeterminate stems do not end with a terminal raceme or the raceme is very reduced in size. Flowers and pods develop at different times and rates depending on node locations. Nodes with the earliest flowers and slowest developing pods are located near the bottom of the stem.