Two recurrent selection series, originating from the same 153 S1 lines, were carried through two complete cycles. Selection was based on testcross yield in one series and on S1 progeny yield in the other. The mean S1 yield increased 31.4% with 2 cycles of selection for S1 yield and 17.9% with 2 cycles of selection for testcross yield. The more productive S1 lines tended to produce the more productive crosses, but the correlation between S1 and testcross yields decreased with each cycle of selection. Four S1 lines from the second cycle synthetic of the series selected for progeny yield were more productive than the original cross‐pollinated population. In a second experiment, lines that were derived from the more productive S1 progenies were most frequently maintained under visual selection. Nine of the 10 S1 lines that were still represented after selection in S3 progenies were above average in yield. Seven of the 31 S1 lines that were still represented after selection in S2 progenies produced testcrosses which ranged from 105 to 110% of the trial mean and 6 of these 7 were above average in S1 yield.

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The B, Cu, Mn, and Zn contents of portions of ‘Virginia 61R,’ ‘Early Runner,’ and ‘start’ peanuts (Arachis hypogea L.) were determined at various sampling dates during the 1966 growing season. The main stem of the three cultivars generally contained higher amounts of B and Mn than the hypocotyl‐crown, the stemmy and leafy portions of the first and second lateral branches, or the fruit. The highest Cu contents were usually present in the fruit and hypocotyl‐crown and the highest Zn contents in the fruit and main stem. Significant differences among cultivars in B, Mn, and Zn contents of similar plant portions occurred on one or more sampling dates. Similar differences were not obtained for Cu. All plant portions sampled decreased in one or more micronutrients during the growing season, except the stemmy portion of the first and second lateral branches and the fruit.

Little data are available on the increasing popular practice of no‐tillage planting soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) in small grain stubble. To determine the effects of three small grain stubble heights and three straw mulch rates in branching height, plant height, lodging, population, and yield of no‐till planted soybeans, field studies were conducted at Warsaw and Suffolk, Va. for 3 years. Straw mulch treatments were normal amount (✕), twice the normal amount (2✕), and all straw removed (0). The three stubble heights were “Low” (10.2 cm), “Medium” (20.3 cm), and “High” (35.6 cm at Warsaw and 40.6 cm at Suffolk). Neither mulch rate nor stubble height affected final plant stand significantly, but there was a tendency toward fewer plants in the heaviest mulch rate. Mature plants at Warsaw were tallest in the high stubble with no difference between the low and medium stubble; the same trend was shown at Suffolk. Soybean plants grown in the ✕ and 2✕ mulch at Warsaw and the ✕ mulch at Suffolk were taller than those grown in the other mulch treatments. Lodging and pod height followed the same trend as plant height. Seed yield was highest in the medium stubble and ✕ mulch rate. It is concluded that harvesting small grain to leave a 20‐cm stubble produces optimum soybean yields and the addition of mulch shows no benefit.