General Information
Glycine max (L.) Merr., commonly known as soybean, is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is an annual herbaceous plant that is widely grown for its edible seeds and oil.
Origin
Soybean is believed to have originated in Northeast Asia, specifically in China, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. It was later introduced to other parts of the world, including Japan, Korea, India, and the United States. Today, soybean is one of the most important crops in the world, with major producers including the United States, Brazil, and Argentina.
Common Names
Soybean is known by many different names around the world, including soja, soya, soy, and soyabean.
General Appearance
Soybean plants can grow up to 1-2 meters tall and have a bushy, branching growth habit. The leaves are trifoliate, with each leaflet being oval in shape and up to 10 cm long. The flowers are small, white, and arranged in clusters. The fruit is a pod that contains 2-4 seeds, which can be yellow, green, brown, or black in color, depending on the variety.
Uses
Soybean is primarily grown for its edible seeds, which can be used to make a variety of food products, including tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce. Soybean oil is also widely used in cooking and as a source of biodiesel. In addition, soybean is used in animal feed and in the production of industrial products such as plastics, adhesives, and textiles.
Light Requirements
Glycine max (L.) Merr. requires full sun with a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow and develop healthy foliage and yield a significant harvest. The intensity of light is crucial for seed production, as it influences the flowering and maturation process of the plant.
Temperature Requirements
Glycine max (L.) Merr. is a warm-season crop that grows best in temperatures between 20-30°C (68-86°F). The plant does not tolerate frost and requires a minimum temperature of 6-12°C (43-54°F) to germinate. Glycine max (L.) Merr. takes approximately 100-120 days from planting to harvest and needs warm temperatures throughout its growth period.
Soil Requirements
Glycine max (L.) Merr. can grow in various soil types, but it requires well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 for optimal growth. The plant prefers loamy and sandy soils with good water-holding capacity. Glycine max (L.) Merr. can also grow in heavy clay soils provided the drainage is good. The ideal soil temperature range for planting Glycine max (L.) Merr. is between 16-32°C (60-90°F).
Cultivation methods
Glycine max, commonly known as soybean, is a warm-season legume that requires full sun to grow well. It is typically grown as an annual crop in the United States because it is sensitive to freezing temperatures. Plant soybeans in well-drained, fertile soil that has a pH of around 6 to 6.5. Soybeans grow best in soil that is rich in organic matter, so consider adding compost or rotted manure to the soil before planting. Soybeans are usually planted in rows about 30 inches apart and should be spaced about 2-3 inches apart in the row.
Watering needs
Soybeans require moderate water levels to grow properly, with an inch of rainfall each week being ideal. If rainfall is insufficient, provide enough water to keep the top 6 inches of soil moist, but be careful not to overwater as soybeans are susceptible to root rot. Take note that during flowering and pod filling stages, soybean plants require additional moisture to ensure good yields.
Fertilization
Soybeans are generally heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization. Fertilizers high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are best because they encourage the growth of healthy plants. If the soil has low levels of organic matter, apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 100 pounds per acre before planting. It is essential to test soil acidity levels before planting soybeans as a home soil pH test is often inaccurate. In some instances, you could be applying the wrong nutrients at the wrong rate, which can create severe problems.
Pruning
Soybeans don't require regular pruning; however, you could pinch the plants' tips to make them bushier, which increases yield. Ensure that each plant has enough space to grow and spread naturally. Remove diseased, damaged, or dead plant parts during the growing season to reduce pest and disease pressure. It will also give the plant more energy to produce quality produce in the long run.
Propagation of Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Glycine max (L.) Merr., commonly known as soybean, is a valuable crop with high protein and oil content. It is an annual legume belonging to the family Fabaceae, and it is grown for both food and industrial purposes. Propagation of soybean can be achieved by several methods:
Seed propagation
The most common method of propagating soybean is by using seeds. The best seeds are obtained from healthy and mature soybean plants that have been properly harvested and processed. The seeds can either be sown directly in the field or raised in nurseries before being transplanted to the field. Care should be taken to ensure that the seeds are not damaged during handling and that they are planted at the right depth and spacing.
Cuttings propagation
Soybean can also be propagated by stem cuttings, although this is not a common method. The cuttings should be taken from healthy plants and planted in well-prepared soil or in pots filled with a suitable growing medium. The cuttings should be watered regularly and kept under shade until they develop roots and shoots. Once established, they can be transplanted to the field.
Tissue culture propagation
Tissue culture propagation is another method that can be used to propagate soybean. This method involves the use of plant tissues such as shoot tips, nodal explants or callus cultures. The plant tissues are sterilized and cultured in nutrient media that contain growth regulators and other nutrients. The developed plantlets are then acclimatized before being transplanted to the field.
Grafting propagation
Grafting propagation is another method that can be used to propagate soybean, although it is not common. This method involves joining two plants, the scion and the rootstock, to form a single plant. The scion is selected from a desired soybean variety, while the rootstock can be selected for its resistance to soil-borne diseases or pests. The plants are joined together by grafting, and the resulting plants are transplanted to the field.
Disease and Pest Management for Glycine max (L.) Merr.
As one of the most important crops in the world, Glycine max (L.) Merr. commonly known as soybean, is commonly infected with various diseases and pests that can affect its growth and yield. To protect this crop from the attack of diseases and pests, appropriate disease and pest management strategies are essential. In this article, we will discuss common diseases and pests that affect soybean plants and the ways to manage them.
Common Diseases
There are several diseases that commonly affect Glycine max (L.) Merr. These include:
- Soybean Rust: A fungal disease that can cause significant damage to soybean crops. Farmers can manage this disease by planting resistant varieties of soybean or applying fungicides at the right time.
- Sudden Death Syndrome: This is a fungal disease that can cause sudden death of soybean plants. To manage this disease, farmers should plant resistant soybean varieties, rotate crops, plant in well-drained fields, and avoid planting in fields with a history of the disease.
- Bacterial Blight: A bacterial disease that can cause water-soaked lesions on the leaves and stems of soybean plants. Farmers can manage this disease by planting certified disease-free soybean seeds, using pathogen-free irrigation water, and applying copper-based fungicides.
Common Pests
There are several common pests that can cause significant damage to Glycine max (L.) Merr. These include:
- Aphids: Small insects that suck sap from soybean leaves, which can cause stunted growth and leaf curling. Farmers can manage this pest by planting resistant varieties of soybean and applying insecticides at the right time.
- Corn Earworm: A pest that can cause significant damage to soybean pods. Farmers can manage this pest by planting early-maturing soybean varieties, using pheromone traps, and applying appropriate insecticides.
- Bean Leaf Beetle: A pest that can cause defoliation of soybean plants. Farmers can manage this pest by planting early-maturing soybean varieties, using insecticides, and crop rotation.
Overall, appropriate disease and pest management strategies are necessary to protect Glycine max (L.) Merr. from the attack of diseases and pests. With proper management practices, farmers can ensure the health and yield of soybean crops, ensuring food security for a growing population.
