SOYBEA

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Nutritional Powerhouse
Versatile
Crop
Sustainable Crop
Global Production
Genetically Modified Varieties
Historical Significanc
e
Health Benefits
Scientific name:
Glycine max

Family:
Fabaceae
Soybean Morphology
and Growth Stages
HABITAT:

Grown in areas where the summer is hot and

rather damp; withstand excessive heat or severe
winters; grown on a wide range of soils.
ROOTS
• Taproot, nodules small spherical sometimes lobed.
STEM
• Branched; buds in axils of cotyledons. The primary leaves do not
normally develop unless tip damaged.
LEAVES
• Alternate, trifoliate, rarely five foliage; petiole long narrow,
cylindrical; stipules, small lanceolate, stipels minute; leaflets ovate to
lanceolate, usually palea green in colour, base rounded; apex acute or
obtuse; lateral leaflets often slightly oblique; most cultivars drop
leaves when pods begin to mature.
INFLORESCENCE
Short clustered axillary raceme; terminal if determine type.
FLOWERS
• Small, bracteoles two, ovate, acute.
CALYX
• Hairy, persistent, united for half-length with two upper and three lower
lobes.
COROLLA
• White or lilac; standard ovate, emarginated (notched at the extremity);
wings narrow, obovate; keel shorter that wings, not fused along upper
surface.
ANDROECIUM
• Stamens monadelphous; vexillary stamens free at the base; anthers
uniform, globose.
GYNIECIUM
• Hairy sessile, few ovuled, style curved, glabrous, stigma capitate.
FRUIT
• Pod; borne is cluster on short stalks; pale yellow, grey or black;
slightly curved.
SEED
• Globose; testa straw yellow; green, brown or black or blotched and
mottled in combination of these colours, hilum small; cotyledon
yellow or green.
POLLINATION
• Self-pollination is the rule. Flowers open in the early morning and
pollen is shed just before or at the time of opening and is shed directly
onto the stigma. Bees and other insects visit flowers so that cross-
pollination can take place, but is usually less than one per cent.
 Rationale

• High Protein Source of Soybeans are a vital source

of protein, essential for human and animal
nutrition.
• Economic Value, they are a key agricultural export,
supporting economies and providing livelihoods.
• Agricultural Sustainability of Soybeans enhance
soil health by fixing nitrogen, reducing the need for
chemical fertilizers.
• Versatile used in a wide array of products from
food to biofuels, increasing their market demand.
Germinating Seed
 Soybean germination depends on the soil temperature,
moisture, and oxygen levels within the seed zone. The ideal
soil temperature for soybean germination and emergence is
Germinating Seed 77 °F (25 °C). A soybean seed can slowly start to germinate
in a soil temperature as low at 50 °F (10 °C) at 2 inches (5
cm) planting depth.
Determining Growth Stages in Soybeans
Determining Growth
Stages in Soybeans
Emergence (VE)
Through First
Trifoliate (V1)
After absorbing adequate moisture and depending on
temperature, product, and planting depth, the primary
root or radical emerges from a soybean seed and
pulls the cotyledons with it to the soil surface (VE).
Cotyledons supply the plant’s nutrient needs for 7 to
10 days after emergence. Loss of one cotyledon
during this time has a limited effect on plant growth;
however, loss of both cotyledons at or soon after VE
may reduce yield potential 5 to 10%.1,2 Soon after
the cotyledons are fully exposed, unifoliate leaves
emerge at the second node and begin creating energy
through photosynthesis (the VC stage). Development
and full extension of the first trifoliate leaflets (node
3) establishes the V1 stage of growth, and with each
fully developed trifoliate on the main stem, another
V stage is established.
Second Trifoliate (V2)

During the V2 stage, the second trifoliate leaf is

established, and root nodules begin to develop. Nitrogen
(N) fixation by the plant begins to occur when plants reach
6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in height. As plants switch from
soil-available N to fixed N, the plants may become
yellowish. Lateral roots are developing rapidly in the top 6
inches (15 cm) of soil.
Third to Fifth
Trifoliate (V3 to V5)
Axillary buds develop into flower clusters
(racemes) in the top of the stem.
Determinate varieties stop producing
nodes on the main stem soon after the
onset of flowering.3 For indeterminate
varieties, the total number of nodes the
plant can produce on the main stem is
established at V5. Axillary buds that
develop on an indeterminate soybean
plant can help the plant recover from
damage. This is typically the time that
iron chlorosis deficiency symptoms
become visible in impacted fields.
Sixth Trifoliate (V6)

Plants reach new growth stages about every

3 days, depending on environmental
conditions. At the V6 stage, lateral roots
should overlap across 30-inch rows or less. A
50% loss of leaves at this stage may reduce
yield potential by about 3%.2
Beginning Bloom
(R1)
The R1 stage is reached when there is one
open flower at any node. Flowering begins
on the third to sixth node, continues up and
down the main stem, and eventually moves
to the branches. Nodes on the main stem
usually have at least one flower. Vertical
roots as well as secondary roots and root
hairs continue to grow rapidly until R4 or
R5.
Full Bloom (R2)

An open flower develops at one of the top two

nodes of the main stem. The plant has
accumulated about 25% of its total dry weight
and nutrients and about 50% of its mature
height.2 Nitrogen fixation by root nodules is
increasing rapidly. Loss of up to 50% of plant
leaves from hail, insects, or disease at this
stage may reduce yield potential by 6%.2
Beginning Pod
(R3)
A pod on at least one of the upper four
nodes is 3/16-inch (5 mm) long or longer.
Heat or moisture stress at this stage can
reduce pod numbers, seed number per
pod, or seed size, which may reduce
yield potential. The ability for soybean
plants to recover from temporary stress
decreases from R1 to R5.5. Favorable
growing conditions during this period
may result in greater pod number and
increased yield potential.
Full Pod (R4)

Pods are growing rapidly, and seeds are

developing. At least one ¾-inch (19 mm)
long pod has developed on at least one of
the four upper-most nodes. Stress during
this period (and through R6) can cause
more reduction in yield potential than at
any other growth stage. Timely rainfall or
irrigation may help reduce the potential for
yield loss.
Beginning Seed (R5)

At least one 1/8-inch (3 mm) long seed is

present in a pod at one of the four upper-most
nodes. About half of the nutrients required for
seed filling come from the plant’s vegetative
parts and about half from N fixation and
nutrient uptake by the roots. Nitrogen fixation
peaks. Stress at this stage can reduce pod
numbers, the number of seeds per pod, seed
size, and yield potential. Plants attain
maximum height, node number, and leaf area
at this stage.
Full Seed (R6)

This “green bean” stage marks the

beginning of the full seed stage. At least one
of the four upper nodes should have a pod
with a green seed filling the pod cavity. Total
pod weight peaks and leaves begin to
yellow.
Beginning Maturity
(R7)

At least one normal pod on the main

stem reaches its brown or tan mature
colour. Seed dry matter begins to peak.
Seeds and pods begin to lose green
colour. Plants are safe from a killing
frost. Yield potential may be reduced if
pods are knocked from plants or pods
shatter and drop seeds.
Full Maturity (R8)

When at least 95% of the pods on a plant have reached

their mature colour, the plant is fully mature. After the R8
stage has been reached typically 5 to 10 days of good
drying weather are needed to obtain a harvest seed
moisture content of less than 15%.
 Choose varieties that have Choose moderate maturity

Management Considerations:
resistance to diseases and groups that may encounter less For maximum yield plant from
nematodes encountered in your pest and disease pressure (MG 5- late April through late May.
fields. 7).

Use high plant populations, a Use narrow row-spacing that still

seeding rate of 200,000 allows for cultivation to ensure Rotate crops to reduce
seed/acre, to compete with quick canopy closure, especially troublesome pests.
weeds. in double-cropped beans.
Seed and Variety
Selection
CHARACTERISSTICS
TO CONSIDER

Yield and yield consistency: select

soybean varieties that are high yielding in
public and private variety trials. Poor
yielding genetics rarely produce high
yields. Evaluate varieties for yield
consistency from location to location and
year to year to ensure for robust, high
performance.
Maturity: plant a wide range of
soybean maturities, up to a full
maturity group difference, to spread
out the harvest window and weather
associated risk.
Disease tolerance: knowing field disease
history is key for finding the right variety
for the field. Couple disease history with
how problem diseases can be managed will
help determine what variety ‘must-haves’
include. Some diseases have to be managed
through variety selection, such as soybean
cyst nematodes, iron chlorosis, and white
mold.
Transgenic traits: this option is pretty much
limited to herbicide traits in soybean varieties.
There is a tendency to use conventional soybean
to lower seed and production costs, however, this
strategy must reflect a change in the herbicide
program as well as increased herbicide costs.
Standability and lodging: soybean
planted at higher seeding rates or in high
fertility fields are more susceptible to
lodging due to taller plant growth. If
lodging becomes a significant factor in
your fields, it could reduce yield and slow
harvest progress.
Pod shattering: pod shattering is typically
associated with harvest delays where seed
moisture falls below 13% and then goes
through rehydration and drying cycles
Seed costs: the highest yielding variety
may not be the most profitable variety.
Balance the cost of the seed with the yield
potential. Understand how the variety
selected will influence in-season
management costs that need to be offset by
the cost of seed.
The objective of variety selection is
to predict how well a variety will do
next year, not evaluate past
performance. The difference here is
that selecting a variety requires
having enough information from
many yield trials to predict future
performance.
ATTRIBUT
ES OF
SEED
QUALITY
1. Genetic purity --cultivar
purity is important from the
standpoint of both total
performance and uniformity,
especially uniformity of
maturity.
2. Physical purity -soybean
seed should contain a
minimum amount of inert
material and should not be
contaminated with seed of
objectionable weeds and other
crops.
3. Germination -high quality seed should
germinate 85 percent or better.
4. Vi gor -the germinable seed in a lot
should be vigorous enough to emerge
rapidly and uniformly under a
broad spectrum of seed bed conditions
and to develop into rapidly growing,
productive plants.
Why use recommended
varieties of soybean?

Soybean variety selection is the earliest

routine management decision farmers make
and one of the most important. Soybean
variety selection should have the same
amount of consideration as is given to corn
hybrid selection. Many characteristics can
be used that can affect in-season
management. And in some cases, soybean
variety characteristics need to be matched
up with the equipment and cropping
systems management being used.
VARIETY SELECTION

• Soybean varieties vary in their seasonal

adaptability and reactions to major insects
and diseases.
• Actually, varieties yielding well under
longer
• daylength usually have low yield during
shorter
• daylength and varieties yielding well under
shorter daylenght
• apparently have excessive vegetative
growth during longer daylenght.
• Select the best variety for the target growing
environment.
SOIL AND CLIMATE
SOILS
• Soyabean can be grown in from sandy soil to clay loam soil at
different type of soils.

• Sandy clay loam, which is rich in organic matter, is suitable for

soybean cultivation.

• Natural pH of soil should be 6.0-6.5 so the micro organism fix the

nitrogen from air easily and reach it to root nodules soil should be well
drained because stagnant water for soybean crop is not good.
CLIMATE
• Soybean is sown in the beginning of monsoon and harvesting at the
end of October.
• This can be grown in little hot and humid climate.
• This can be grown in summers and winters both.
• For a good crop of Soybean temperature should be 26.5OC to 30OC or
more.
• For a good growth of the plant temperature should be minimum 100C.
• When temperature is low, flowering gets delayed.
FIELD
SELECTION
AND LAND
PREPARATIO
N
Areas where corn and rice are
successfully grown are suitable for
soybean production. This means that
soybean is a good rotating crop and
intercrop of corn and upland rice.
For organic soybean production,
soybean can be planted (as
intercrop) in between rows of
growing banana, coffee,
coconut and other fruit-trees.
In upland rice areas where soil chemical
fertilizer application is not practiced,
organic soybean production is
likewise possible as rotating crop.
Soybean requires thorough land
preparation.
The field should be pulverized and
should have good tilth for high
seed germination, uniform
emergence
of seedlings, proper root developm
ent, better water-retention and
weed control.
When using carabao-drawn plow, two
or three plowings are done depending
on soil type and moisture
content. Heavy soils usually require
more plowings than the light textured
soils.
One plowing of any soil type may
be enough when using a tractor.
Two or more harrowing may be
needed to pulverize the field using
carabao-drawn harrow.
• However, two harrowing may be sufficient when using a
tractor. Furrows should be 40-50 centimeters
(cm) apart and 4 to 6 cm deep.
CROP ESTABLISHMENT
METHODS OF SOWING
• It is recommended that seed and the fertilizer should be shown with
the help of drill machine. Tractor mounted or bullock drawn seed drill
can be used.

• If drill is not available the fertilizer should be spreaded evenly and

mixed thoroughly to the soil with the help of plough.
MANAGEMENT OF CROPS AFTER
SOWING
• For the good growth of the soybean plant and good yield it is must that
weeds should be effectively controlled during first 30-40 days.
• Farmers use shallow plough for this inter culture operation.
• It helps in weed removal and soil also gets aerated but an standing
crop this operation may damage the crop.
• After sowing whichever weedicide is available in the market should be
used for weed control.
• There are many chemicals, which are used for chemical control of
weeds.
SEED RATE
• It depends on cropping distance, seed weight and its germination rate,
generally 30 kg certified seed is required for one acre up land. Its
germination % should be 70% but the seed saved from the previous
crop has very low 50% germination percentage therefore 40-45 kg
seed is required for one acre of land. Good quality seed produced by
Monsanto Company (MMB) which has 85% germination 28 kg per
acre should be used.
SEED TREATMENT
• Seed should be treated with thiram plus carbendazim fungicides (1.5 +
1.5 gm) @ 3 gm per kg of seed to protect the seed from fungal
diseases i.e., seedrot etc., seed should also be treated with bacterium
culture (Rhizobium japonica) which helps root nodules to fix nitrogen
from the air by making them more effective. Seed should be wetted
with the culture and dried in shade and sown same day. If soils is
deficient in phosphorus then seed should be treated with phosphorus
solubilizing bacterium (PSB) @ 5 gm per kg of seed.
CROPPING PATTERN
RABI
• In hot season (Rabi) good variety of soybean can be grown with the
help of production technique. Mainly in central and Southern datray
India soybean is grown in Rabi season.
• In Southern India saya is grown in Rabi season mainly for seed
purpose so in coming Kharif season it can be used as seed.
• Other than Maharastra generally after Soyabean crop-Wheat is sown.
• In some places farmers take Potato crop after Soybean, generally
soybean is grown as single crop but it can also be grown with crops
like sugarcane, cotton, maize, ragi, arhar etc., some crop rotations are
given below,
PUNJAB
• Soyabean-Wheat-Barley
HARYANA
• Soybean-Cauliflower-Mustard
MADHYA PRADESH
• Soyabean-Wheat
Rest Period
The rest period between planting
soybeans can vary depending on
various factors such as climate, soil
conditions, crop rotation practices, and
regional agricultural practices.
However, typically, soybeans are not
grown in consecutive seasons on the
same field due to the benefits of crop
rotation.
Why do farmers allow
their field to rest after
harvest before the next
planting season?

the rest period between planting

soybeans is an essential component
of crop rotation practices, typically
lasting one to two seasons to
optimize soil health, manage pests
and diseases, and sustainably
manage agricultural land.
Healthy soybean seedlings
typically exhibit the
following characteristics:

Vibrant Green Color: The leaves

should be a rich, deep green color,
indicating they are receiving
adequate nutrients and sunlight.
Strong Stem: The stem should be sturdy and erect, able to
support the weight of the plant without bending or breaking.
Well-Developed Roots: Healthy seedlings
will have a well-developed root system,
which is crucial for nutrient uptake and
anchoring the plant in the soil.
No Signs of Disease or Pests: Look
for any signs of disease, such as
wilting, discoloration, or lesions, as
well as any pests like aphids or
caterpillars.
Uniform Growth: The
seedlings should be
relatively uniform in size
and growth, indicating they
are receiving consistent care
and environmental
conditions.
Optimal Spacing: If seedlings are being
grown in rows, they should be spaced
appropriately to allow for proper airflow
and nutrient access.
Moist, but not Waterlogged
Soil: The soil should be moist,
but not waterlogged, to ensure
proper hydration without
suffocating the roots.
Soybean thrives when transplanted during the balmy period
of mid-spring to late spring, as this season offers optimal
temperatures for growth. Choose a sunny location with
well-draining soil for transplanting, and enhance root
establishment by incorporating organic matter into the soil,
when needed.
Transplanting soybean ideally occurs
from middle to end of spring. This
period provides favorable weather
conditions nurturing sprouting seeds.
The warmed soil stimulates root
growth for soybean, improving chances
for thriving growth. Taking advantage
of this period sets the stage for a
bountiful harvest.
When transplanting your soybean,
make sure to space them about 24-
30 inches (60-76 cm) apart. This
will give them enough room to
grow and develop a strong root
system.
What is the Best Soil Mix
for Soybean
Transplanting?

For your soybean, choose well-

draining soil with a pH between
6 and 6.8. Mix in compost or
aged manure to enrich the soil
with nutrients. Apply a base
fertilizer of 5-10-10 NPK and
mix it in well
before transplanting.
Where Should
You Relocate
Your Soybean?
Select a location for your soybean
that receives full sunlight, with at
least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
This will provide the ideal light
conditions for your plants to thrive
and produce a bountiful harvest.
Nutrition Facts
Soybeans are mainly composed of
protein but also contain good amounts
of carbs and fat.
The nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces (100
grams) of boiled soybeans are
(1Trusted Source)
Nitrogen is the most
important plant
nutrient for the
soybean crop and is
required in the
largest quantity.
PHOSPHORUS
• In Phosphorous deficiency leaves from its tip and sides starts
becoming blueish green, narrow light red purple.
• Tip of the leaves starts finishing. If plant starts getting Phosphorous
then these symptoms are not shown in new leaves.
• Sometimes, these symptoms are seen in knee height crop or more
taller crop.
POTASSIUM
• Bottom leaves of the plant starts yellowing from its tip and dries of or
starts shedding.
• Plants gets stunted. These deficiencies mostly seen in wet, sandy,
weathered soils. And in the soils in which, excess Potassium has been
absorbed by the previous crops.
ZINC
• In Maize grown areas Zinc deficiency is seen more. Zinc deficiency
symptoms sometimes can be seen in germinating plants.
• White and Yellow spots are seen on the bottom side of the leaf.
Whereas, middle portion and tip of the leaf remains green.
• New effective leaves of the plants are known as white buds. Zinc
deficiency is more in the soils which have excess Phosphorous, high
PH and more amount of chemicals.
BORON
• Boron deficiency is not found commonly. Because of its deficiency
irregular white patches and white line is seen on leaves. This is found
in the soils which are dry, have high PH sandy, and have more
chemicals.
• Yellowing of the leaves, drying and shedding of leaves can be because
of poisonous nature of Boron.
MAGNESIUM
• Veins of bottom leaves of the plants turns yellowish white. Finally, old
leaves ends and sides becomes red and purple and ultimately dies off.
Its main causes are lower level of PH, sandy soils and excess of
Potassium.
MANGANESE
• In the soil Magnese deficiency is not seen oftenly. Veins of the leaves
turns light yellow.
• Manganese deficiency often seen in the soils which has more amount
of cow dung manure, chemical matters and high PH. It is also seen in
sandy soils.
HARVESTING
• When weather conditions, are not favourable then harvesting can be
performed at 14 to 15% grain moisture.
• By doing this, we can reduce the losses occuring during harvesting.
• The loss of Soybean depends on the selection of the varieties.
• Generally, there is more loss in early maturing crops during harvesting.
• If it rains during harvesting then harvesting should be done immediately
after rains.
• Damage due to rains can be reduced by using all means of drying and
harvesting immediately after rains or when rain reduces.
TIME FACTOR IN HARVESTING AND THRESHING IS
CRUCIAL BEACUSE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE
REASON:
• Harvesting at most appropriate time will minimise the effect of
weathering and seed deterioration.
• 2. Harvested crop should be kept in a high and clean place to avoid
mixing with other seeds and Foreign material in order to maintain the
high quality of seed.
• 3. Careful handling during harvesting and threshing operations can
avoid mechanical abuse resulting injury to Soybean seed and loss of
germination.
• The most appropriate seed moisture content for harvesting of Soybean is
considered to be about 17%.
• Seed cracking, breakage and splitting of Soybean increases when moisture
content in the seed decreases below 13%.
• While Soybean seed with 15% moisture tolerates drop from 20 ft on metal
surfaces, too dry seed with less moisture (12%) can be damaged by a fall
from 5 ft.on metal surface.
• Nevertheless, if the moisture content is above 15% the seed bruising etc
during threshing will increase.
• Harvesting either can be done by mechanical thresher or by hammering by
wooden log.
 175 lbs of N is needed to produce 36
bushels of soybean.

The requirements for N at this yield

level are covered by the nitrogen from
the air through the symbiotic fixation by
the Rhizobium bacteria in the nodules
on the plant’s roots.

Soybeans require 14 mineral nutrients

for growth: nitrogen , phosphorus (P),
potassium (K), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca),
magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron
(Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron
(B), chloride (Cl), molybdenum (Mo)
and nickel (Ni) to grow successfully.
Water
Management
Give life irrigation on the 3rd day.
Further irrigations at intervals of 7 - 10 and 10 - 15 days during summer and
winter season respectively may be given depending on soil and weather
conditions. Soybean is very sensitive to excess moisture and the crop is
affected, if water stagnates in the fields.
• The crop should not suffer
due to water stress from
flowering to maturity.
To alleviate moisture stress spray of either
Kaolin 3% or liquid paraffin at 1% on the
foliage.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!!