Soya: cultivation, varieties, processing, use and history of cultivation

Soya is one of the most important agricultural crops. In Russia, it began to be grown relatively recently. At the same time, on a global scale, this plant is comparable to rice, corn and wheat. This is due to the high versatility of this plant. A variety of food products are obtained from it and raw materials for light industry are made.

Description of the plant

Soya is an annual plant that has a coarse taproot. It penetrates to a depth of 1.5-2 meters. Long lateral processes depart from the tap root.In this case, the plant can reach a height of 20 centimeters to 1.5 meters. Specific sizes depend on the variety of the crop and the conditions of its growth. Bushes are distinguished by straight and thick stems. Some varieties have curly shoots.

Side branches extend from the lower part of the central stem. In some varieties, they are in the same plane, in others - in several. There are also varieties in which shoots of the second order appear on the side branches. The stem and lateral shoots end in a rough top with a flower brush or an elongated thin top with leaves.

The whole bush is usually covered with fluff. It may be white or yellow in color. In this case, the pubescence is dense, long, sparse or appressed. After flowering is completed, fruits in the form of beans appear on the bushes. Like all culture, they are covered with hairs. In this case, the beans are different:

• small - their length reaches 3-4 centimeters;
• medium - have a length of 4-5 centimeters;
• large - reach 6-7 centimeters.

The shape of the fruit is also different. They are straight, sword-shaped or sickle-shaped. Ripe beans are red, yellow or light brown. At the same time, from 10 to 400 fruits can be present on 1 plant. Depending on the botanical form, the beans crack or remain closed during ripening.

One bean can contain 1-4 grains. In this case, the weight of 1000 pieces is 50-450 grams. The color of the grains is different - black, green, brown, yellow. The hem of the grains also differs in color. It can be black, brown, brown or colorless. As for the shape of the grains, they are oval or spherical, flat or convex.

History of soybean farming

Now soy is widely used all over the world.However, this situation was not always observed. A couple of centuries ago, soy was an exclusively Asian culture. In Western countries, almost no one knew about it. This plant was cultivated in ancient China. However, the exact timing of this is not known. According to the most daring versions, soybeans began to be cultivated in the 6th-7th millennium BC. However, more substantiated theories say that the domestication of the plant in China did not occur until the 11th century BC.

Subsequently, soybeans from China came to Korea. There it developed into an important agricultural crop. During the colonization of the Japanese archipelago by Korea, the culture also came to Japan. This happened between the 5th century BC and the 4th century AD.

Only a few centuries later this plant became known in European countries. At the same time, it is problematic to determine which of the researchers in Europe was the first to describe soybeans. Some believe it was the naturalist Kaempfer who visited China in the late seventeenth century.There is also an opinion that this merit belongs to the Russian scientist Vasily Poyarkov. Half a century earlier, he had visited the banks of the Amur and described soybeans in his notes. The recordings were subsequently published in Holland.

At the same time, European botanists became seriously interested in soy only in the second half of the eighteenth century. Cultivation in Europe began even later - in 1885. In the United States, the plant began to be grown commercially in the late 1890s.

High yield parameters and a wide range of applications of the plant made it popular in Western countries - primarily in the United States. Since the end of World War II, soybeans have become one of the most important crops in the United States.

At the same time, the fate of culture in the USSR was less pleasant. Standard soybeans were grown exclusively in the Far East - in the area of the Amur River. Attempts to distribute soybean in the south of Ukraine or in the north of the Caucasus were not successful.At the same time, in the mid-seventies of the last century, the maximum crop yield was 800 thousand tons. After that, interest in the plant began to decline, which led to a decrease in acreage.

The situation changed only in the first half of the 2000s. It was then that soybean crops began to increase again. At the same time, farmers managed to achieve and surpass Soviet indicators. Currently, soybeans are grown in many Russian regions. At the same time, farmers manage to get excellent results. This is due to the emergence of many successful domestic varieties. Currently, farmers harvest approximately 3 million tons of soybeans per year.

Applying culture

The popularity of soybeans is due to the wide scope of its application. The fruits of this culture are often used to prepare all kinds of dishes. These include soups, meatballs, cheeses, sausages. The seeds of this legume are used to produce flour and butter. In addition, the plant is a valuable nutritious feed, which is loved by many farm animals.

Popular varieties

Today there are a large number of soybean varieties, each of which has its own characteristics. When choosing a specific option, it is recommended to consider the following:

1. Ripening dates. Farmers do not always have the opportunity to wait for late varieties to ripen. When choosing dates, you need to focus on subsequent plans. It should be borne in mind that an early harvest is more expensive. At the same time, something else can be planted on the cleared fields.
2. Yield parameters. The more fruit the culture brings, the better. However, when choosing a variety, it is worth focusing not only on this criterion, but also on fixing the lowest bean. To be able to harvest mechanically, the fruits must be at least 12 centimeters from the ground. Otherwise, there is a risk of losing part of the crop.
3. Taste and composition. Depending on the characteristics of processing, it is worth choosing a variety that contains more or less oil. The amount of protein also matters. In addition, it is recommended to focus on the crop growing area.
4. Resistance to drought and pathologies.

When choosing a particular variety, farmers most often take into account the timing of crop ripening. The sooner you can get fruit, the better. On the vacant site, you can plant other plants or feed the beds for the next year.

Early ripe soybean varieties should include the following:

1. Bilyavka - it takes 75-80 days to ripen the crop. In this case, the beans are not covered with cracks. The plant reaches a height of 75-105 centimeters. After full ripening, the seeds may remain on the bushes for some time. However, they should be collected in a timely manner. From 1 hectare it is possible to get 4 tons of fruits. The culture needs to be treated for pathologies and parasites.
2. Annushka - fruits ripen in 80-85 days. This crop is recommended to be grown in the forest-steppe zone. This variety reaches a height of 80-110 centimeters and is distinguished by purple flowers. From 1 hectare it is possible to get 4 tons of fruits.The beans do not crack, and the seeds do not crumble even after full ripening. With poor-quality care, the plant suffers from pathologies.
3. Anastasia - it takes 87-95 days to mature. Beans contain 4 grains. The culture is resistant to lodging and shedding of seeds. Bushes are characterized by compact size and reach a height of 80-130 centimeters. They are covered with gray down and have purple flowers. At the same time, the plant rarely suffers from diseases and pests.

Also, many farmers, when choosing a plant, are guided by yield parameters. The higher this indicator, the more profitable the cultivation of the crop will be. At the same time, you can give preference to such cultures as Success, Khadzhibey, Arcadia Odessa.

Soybean growing rules

For soybean farming to be successful, it is important to follow specific rules and guidelines.

Soil preparation

For planting, it is recommended to choose clean fields that contain many nutrients and are characterized by high humidity. In this case, the need for watering and the use of fertilizers will be minimal.

It is recommended to plant soybeans after cereals, sugar beet, corn. Potatoes can also be a good predecessor. At the same time, planting soybeans after legumes or perennial legumes is not recommended. Also, do not do this after cabbage and sunflower. In turn, soy is considered a good precursor for cereals, corn, rape, forage plants.

Preparation of soil for soybean sowing mainly comes down to autumn peeling. It is performed to a depth of 9 centimeters. Plowing is also carried out, which is combined with the application of fertilizers. This should be done to a depth of 25 centimeters.

In the beginning of spring it is recommended to carry out harrowing first.Then, if necessary, it is worth performing cultivation. This will help level the soil and get rid of weeds. Cultivation is recommended before sowing. To do this, use beet or steam cultivators with harrows.

The field surface must be perfectly level as the soybeans grow quite low. Because they need a low cut when harvesting. Fluctuation between ridges and furrows should be no more than 4 centimeters.

Landing

It is recommended to plant soybeans when the soil warms up to + 10-15 degrees. If the weather forecast promises a rapid increase in temperature parameters in the near future, you can sow in cooler soil. Its temperature can be +6-8 degrees.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionIn addition, it is important to get the moment when the soil is as moist as possible, since soybeans need a lot of water during the germination stage. As a rule, the suitable period for planting is at the end of April or the beginning of May.

For varieties that are fast maturing, the spacing between rows should be 15-45 centimeters. If the culture is characterized by an average ripening period, this parameter is made 45-70 centimeters. Approximate seeding rate depends on variety, planting method, and planned weed control practices.

Before planting, soybean seeds are recommended to be treated. They are also subjected to inoculation with nodule bacteria. It is recommended to close the beans to a depth of 3-4 centimeters if the soil is sufficiently moist. If the upper part of the soil is dry, it is required to deepen the seed by 5-7 centimeters. In addition, dry soil must be rolled after planting.At the same time, at least 1 centimeter of moist soil should remain above the seeds.

Aftercare

When growing soybeans in summer cottages or in fields, it is important to weed the beds in a timely manner. It is also recommended to regularly get rid of weeds and loosen the soil between the rows. It is recommended to harrow crops several times during the season. For the first time, the soil should be processed 4 days after planting the seeds. When the sprouts reach 15 centimeters, re-harrowing is required. Subsequently, the soil should be cultivated at the stage of formation of the third leaves.

When growing a crop, it is imperative to pay special attention to the fight against diseases and parasites. Spider mites cause great harm to fruits and sprouts. Also, soybeans often suffer from acacia moths. To avoid pest attacks, it is recommended to use insecticidal preparations.The most effective means include Sumi-Alpha and Fastak.

Legumes often suffer from ascochitosis, anthracnose and viral mosaic. Fungicides help prevent these serious pathologies that negatively affect yield parameters and can even cause crop death.

Harvesting is recommended in September. This must be done when the humidity parameters reach 14%. In such weather, the fruits are easiest to process. At the same time, it is important to complete the mowing on time. The fact is that the beans dry out and open in just a few days.

After harvesting, it is recommended to lay out the beans in an area that is fully illuminated by the sun. This helps to quickly dry the fruits and ventilate them. After the crop has dried, it must be collected in bags and moved to storage in archers.

For soybean growing to be successful, it is important to prepare everything you need in advance. In this case, the farmer will need the following inventory:

• cultivator;
• pneumatic seeder;
• extruder;
• harvester;
• harrowing tools.

If we manage to provide favorable conditions for the development of the plant, the soybean business will be very profitable. At the same time, it is important to follow all the rules of crop rotation and agricultural technology.

Soya is a sought-after crop that many farmers are growing today. The wide distribution of the plant is due to the high yield and wide scope of its application.

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