5 min
49 pplSoybeans are of great importance in modern agriculture. They are used in the food, feed, fat-and-oil, and biofuel industries, creating a stable global demand for this crop. This article will take a closer look at the role of soybeans in various production sectors and discuss its varieties and properties.
What is Soy?
Soy is an annual leguminous crop with high protein (up to 35–42%) and oil (18–22%) content. It is a world leader among protein-oil crops and is used in the food industry, compound feed, the fat-and-oil sector, and for biofuel. In brewing, it is used as a source of dietary protein and lecithin (an emulsifier): it improves foam stability and extends the shelf life of beer.
Classification of Soybean Varieties
Classifying varieties helps in selecting the right seeds for specific tasks. There are three main classification groups.
By Maturity Period:
- Early-maturing (80–100 days): Suitable for northern/arid zones.
- Mid-season (105–120 days): Characterized by high, stable yields and a good balance of oil and protein; suitable for most Russian regions.
- Late-maturing (120–140+ days): Capable of yielding the highest harvest compared to other varieties but require a long, warm summer.
By Growth Type:
- Indeterminate: Continue growing during flowering, have high yield potential, tolerate dehydration better, but are more prone to lodging.
- Semi-determinate: A compromise in terms of height and stability, generally adaptable to changing conditions.
- Determinate: Growth is usually limited, forming a compact bush. Convenient for mechanized harvesting and well-suited for arid conditions.
By Intended Use:
- Oil-type: High oil content, used in the food and fat-and-oil industries.
- Protein/Feed-type: High protein content, used as raw material for meal and concentrates.
- Food-grade: Feature large, light-colored seeds and low lipoxygenase content. Characterized by stable protein solubility. Suitable for beverages, tofu, and isolates.
- Universal: Balanced protein/oil content, suitable for multi-purpose use.
Popular Soybean Varieties
- Viktoriya (Early, Determinate): Compact bush, resistant to shattering and lodging, suitable for northern zones and early harvest.
- Lankaster (Early-Mid, Indeterminate): Adaptable to weather conditions, features even maturation and balanced oil/protein content.
- Sniper (Mid-season, Semi-determinate): Has high yield potential, responds well to irrigation and fertilizers.
- Danaya (Mid-season, Food-grade): Large, light-colored seeds, reduced lipoxygenase content resulting in a mild flavor. Suitable for soy milk and protein isolates.
- Zlato (Early-Mid, Determinate): Drought-tolerant, produces yields even in arid conditions, withstands stress well.
Criteria for Selecting Varieties for Cultivation
How to choose from all the listed soybean varieties those that will yield the highest harvest? It is necessary to assess the growing conditions, seed quality, and other factors. The following selection criteria can be highlighted:
- Adaptation of the variety to the climate, heat unit accumulation, and harvest windows.
- Growth type and the harvesting machinery used.
- Seed quality: Protein and oil content levels. For food-grade soybeans, seed size, color, and protein solubility are assessed.
- Stress resistance: Susceptibility to diseases, heat and drought tolerance.
- Soil and nutrition requirements: Sensitivity to pH levels, susceptibility to chlorosis, etc.
- Harvestability: Resistance to shattering and pod splitting.
Due to its high potential, the popularity of soybeans increases every year. They are effectively used in various industrial sectors, from biofuel to food production. The choice of soybean variety depends on the goals of the farm, as well as climatic conditions, harvest specifics, raw material quality, and other factors.
