Soybeans are mild warm-weather legumes. Sow soybeans in spring after 2- 3 weeks the average last frost and warm the soil at least 60°F (16°C). Farmers can plant soybeans earlier in warm-winter areas. Soybeans grow ideal where daytime temperatures average 70 °F (21 °C).

Soybean is a bushy, free-branching annual legume. It grows from 12 to 36 inches (30–91 cm) tall. The leaves and stems are hairy. The flowers are white with lavender shade. Farmers grow the pods in clusters of three to five, 1 to 4 inches (2.5–10 cm) long. 

Each fuzzy pod contains 2- 4 seeds. There are over 10,000 varieties of soybeans. Colours range from black to grey, green, brown, yellow, white and striped. We can see the seeds as small as peas or as large as kidney beans. Grow 4 to 8 soybean plants for each member of the household as well.

In soybean farming, tractors play a pivotal role. Hence we suggest Mahindra Tractor 475. This tractor is the best for working in the field. Other than this, you can use the Swaraj 963 tractor.   

Planting –  Soybeans Cultivation

Plant soybeans in full sun; Soybean will withstand partial shade, but you can see the yield will be reduced. Soybeans grow best in loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Soybeans prefer a soil pH that is 6.0 to 6.8. Soybean is tolerant of poor soil.

Soybeans grow best where daytime temperatures average between 60°F and 70°F (16–21 °C). Plant soybeans in winter in warm-winter areas. Soybeans are not frost-tolerant.

Farmers sow the seeds 1 -2 inches (2.5-5cm) deep, 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) apart in rows 24- 30 inches (61-76cm) apart. Thin thriving is seedlings 4 to 6 inches (1015cm) apart; Cut thin sheets with scissors at ground level so as not to damage the roots of the rest of the plant. Do not farmers soak the seeds before planting. And do not over-water immediately after planting; Too moist seeds can rot and germinate poorly. We recommend not planting soybeans with garlic or onion.

Caring for Soybeans for Cultivation 

Keep the beds evenly moist until the soybeans push through the soil. Water regularly during pod and flowering formation. Avoid overhead watering, which can cause pods and flowers to drop. Mulch when the soil warms above 60°F to conserve soil moisture.

Before sowing, apply old manure to the sown beds—side-dress soybeans with aged manure in midseason. Avoid adding nitrogen-rich fertilizers to the planting beds. Soybeans, like other legumes, have a mutualistic exchange with soil microorganisms called nitrogen-fixing bacteria to produce nitrogen compounds used by the plant.

The container is growing. Farmers can grow soybeans in containers up to 8 inches deep, the space required for a useful crop making soybeans a poor choice for container growing.

Soybeans are rarely bothered by pests. However, keep the garden clean of debris so that the garden does not become sheltered by pests or overwinter.

Any disease rarely attacks soybeans. Rotate the beans, so they don’t grow in the same spot every three years.

Harvesting and Storing Soybeans

Harvest soybeans when the pods are green, full and thick, for green shell beans, and usually 2 to 3 inches (5-7 cm) long, about half-ripe. Soybean is peeled and ready for harvesting after 45 to 65 days of sowing for fresh use. Dried soybeans require 100 or more days to harvest. Soybean reaches maturity at the same time; Pull the entire plant and hang it upside down to dry. Once the pods are completely dry, unwrap the dried beans.

Note: We should not eat raw soybeans. They contain a trypsin inhibitor that inhibits the digestion of proteins. For a few minutes, blanch the green soybeans in boiling water and then submerge them in an ice-water bath. Boil the sprouted pulses at least 5 minutes before eating.

Storage:-

Soybeans, with or without the skin, will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. After that, peeled soybeans can be frozen, canned or dried. To make shelling easier, put the pods in boiling water for one minute. After that, we can store the Dry and peel soybeans in a cool, dry place for 10 to 12 months.

Varieties:-

There are over 10,000 varieties of soybeans. The green-seeded varieties are considered the tenderest and best-tasting. Black seed pods are used for drying. The yellow seeds are used to make soy milk and flour. Select a cultivar suited to your growing zone. 

In the complete processing of soybeans cultivation, you recognize that you need several types of equipment such as tractor, harvester and tools. Thus we suggest the Massey Ferguson 241 tractor. This tractor is budget-friendly for every Indian farmer.    

For more information regarding soybean cultivation and any other farming, stay tuned with us.