Proponents of the “starter nitrogen”; concept believe that a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer stimulates early vegetative growth of soybeans, thereby facilitating cultivation and weed control. To evaluate this concept, soybean leaf area, plant height, fresh weight, and yield were measured over three growing seasons. Growth parameters were measured at weekly intervals during the 7 weeks following planting of ‘Bragg’ soybeans (Glycine max(L.) Merr.) which had received 0, 16.8, and 50.4 kg N ha‐1banded pre‐plant into the soil.