Soybean growth habit influence on development, yield, and seed quality in North Carolina full‐season soybean production

North Carolina soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production has historically relied on later maturing determinate varieties, but recent availability of later maturing indeterminate varieties has raised questions about growth habit effects on soybean production in the region. This study evaluated the impact of soybean growth habit (indeterminate versus determinate) within maturity group V on soybean plant height, nodes, lodging, green stem, yield, and seed quality across nine environments over 2 years (2023–2024). Trials were conducted using five determinate and five indeterminate varieties planted between late April and early May. Indeterminate varieties exhibited greater height and node count at maturity. However, growth habit alone did not consistently influence final yield or seed quality outcomes across environments. In over 50% of environments, there was no impact of soybean growth habit on yield, while in two environments indeterminate varieties were higher yielding and in two environments determinate varieties were higher yielding. Indeterminate varieties had greater green stem, lodging, seed oil, purple seed stain, and seed damage. These results provide foundational agronomic information for producers to make data‐driven decisions based on growth habit.