Glycine max (Soybean) is a popular edible crop plant that is native to eastern Asia. High in protein, calcium and folate, Soybeans currently occupies over 120 million hectares worldwide. Soybeans take around four months to reach harvest, improves the soil for nearby plants and is easy to grow from seed. Their beans are also used to produce soy milk, tofu, soaps, plastics, crayons, clothing and even biodiesel fuels.
Suitable for Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Soybeans contribute towards the feeding of livestock in many countries due to their high protein and nutrients. After harvesting, the leftover plant becomes an important green manure that is valuable both in the compost bin or mulched and added to garden beds.
Growth
Glycine max is an annual crop that reaches the short height of around 60 cm (2 feet). Rarely found in the United States before 1900, the Soybean is now only second to corn in terms of land used.
Sow during Spring once all frost has passed and the ground can be worked. Also grown at home in pots or in garden beds. Seeds are sown around 25mm (1 inch) deep into moist soil and where temperatures have started to surpass 15°C / 59°F. Some farmers sow seeds even deeper to allow roots to develop further which produces a higher yield per plant. Soybeans can produce their own nitrogen but better yields are achieved when extra Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium are added. Adding small amounts during germination stage is recommended but not necessary.
A short-day crop, studies show that flowers only begin once the daylight hours have fallen below 12.8 per day. Blooms of white to pink and even purple arrive from the middle of Summer. Self fertile, the Soybean then produces hairy pods that grow in clusters of up to five, each containing 2-4 seeds.
When harvesting, soybean plants and pods should be brown or tan in colour and the seeds should rattle in their pods. Simply pull or cut the pods off the plant and leave in a bucket or container to dry out.
Rather than throw the remaining crop out, either chop it up and put it in the compost or chop and drop to spread it and improve nearby soil.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
6 to 27°C / 42 to 80°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist well draining soil types.
LOCATION:
Full sun.
HEIGHT:
Average of up to 60 cm (2 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 cm (4 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium
POLLINATION:
Self pollination but increases yield when bees assist.
MATURITY:
90-120 days
GERMINATION RATES:
80-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-3 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 5-7
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes, but quite dry.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 1 year
FACTS ABOUT GLYCINE MAX (Soybean)
In 1936, the Ford Motor Company developed a method where soybeans and fibers were rolled together producing a soup which was then pressed into various parts for their cars, from the distributor cap to knobs on the dash board. Ford also informed in public relation releases that in 1935 over five million acres was dedicated to growing soybeans in the United States.
Today, the most valuable agricultural export for the United States is the Soybean. As of May 2020, Brazil overtook the United States as the world’s largest producer of Soybeans.
Soybeans provide livestock within the European Union up to 60% of their protein requirements.
