Depending on soil moisture, soil temperatures, and planting depth, emergence occurs 1–2 weeks after planting.

The unifoliate leaves are located at the first true node on the plant.

Although it is the second true node, this stage marks the first node at which the first trifoliolate is produced.

Soybean plants at the V2 stage have 2 fully developed trifoliolates. Nodules formed at the VE stage begin actively fixing Nitrogen for the plant.

Three trifoliolates are now fully developed above the unifoliate leaves.

A plant is at the R1 stage when one open flower is at any node on the main stem.

A plant is at the R1 stage when one open flower is at any node on the main stem.

When pods are 3/16 inch long at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem with a fully developed leaf, the plant is at the R3 stage.

When pods are 3/16 inch long at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem with a fully developed leaf, the plant is at the R3 stage.

The seed in the pod at one of the four uppermost nodes with fully developed leaves on the main stem is 1/8 inch long at this stage. Plants at the R5 stage are normally V15 to V23 and are approximately 30–43 inches tall.

The seed in the pod at one of the four uppermost nodes with fully developed leaves on the main stem is 1/8 inch long at this stage. Plants at the R5 stage are normally V15 to V23 and are approximately 30–43 inches tall.

At this stage 95% of the pods have reached maturity, however 5–10 days of drying weather are needed after the R8 stage before soybeans have less than 15% moisture.