Alternative crop and soil management practices can offer additional tools to address current soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield gaps in South Africa. Despite recent genetic advancements and the introduction of novel weed management strategies, soybean yield remained static. Inconsistent rainfall patterns, high temperatures, and soil compaction have been limiting soybean productivity. Uncertainty exists among farmers regarding optimal nitrogen fertilizer management due to inconsistent yield responses and likely due to a shortage of locally generated scientific information. The benefits provided by including soybean in a maize (Zea mays L.) monoculture production system has been identified, however, crop rotation effects on yield in combination with newly introduced agronomic practices such as no-tillage and crop residue retention are inconsistent. Modern germplasm offers several opportunities to improve water use efficiency by limiting water-stress conditions during the reproductive growth stages when yield components are highly sensitive. The introduction of less rigorous soil tillage practices alongside greater residue retention can lessen surface runoff and evaporation losses. Scientifically evaluated research is crucially needed to advance the understanding of current soybean yield gaps and to facilitate the development of tailored management practices to address farm-specific challenges while beneficial soil and crop conditions are taken advantage of.

中文翻译：

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南非雨育大豆生产系统当前和未来的农艺前景

替代作物和土壤管理实践可以提供额外的工具来解决南非当前的大豆 [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] 产量差距。尽管最近取得了遗传进展并引入了新的杂草管理策略，但大豆产量仍然保持不变。不一致的降雨模式、高温和土壤板结一直限制着大豆的生产力。由于产量反应不一致以及可能由于当地产生的科学信息不足，农民对最佳氮肥管理存在不确定性。将大豆包含在玉米中的好处（Zea maysL.) 已经确定了单一栽培生产系统，但是，轮作对产量的影响与新引入的农艺实践（如免耕和作物残茬保留）相结合是不一致的。现代种质通过在产量成分高度敏感的生殖生长阶段限制水分胁迫条件，为提高水分利用效率提供了多种机会。引入不那么严格的土壤耕作方法以及更大的残留物保留可以减少地表径流和蒸发损失。至关重要的是需要经过科学评估的研究来加深对当前大豆产量差距的理解，并促进制定量身定制的管理实践，以应对农场特有的挑战，同时利用有利的土壤和作物条件。