A method of increasing yield of a soybean plant comprising, assessing a growth phase of a plant, selecting a plant if the plant is in a vegetative growth phase, removing the apical dominance of the selected plant. In further aspects, disclosed is an apparatus for removing the apical dominance of a soybean plant during vegetative stage comprising, a frame, at least two wheels mounted on the frame, and an apical dominance removal means mounted on the frame.