Soybean
**Botanical Information:**
– Soybean’s genus name is Glycine, with subgenera Glycine and Soja.
– Soja includes cultivated soybeans (G.max) and wild soybeans, while Glycine consists of at least 25 wild perennial species.
– The perennial soybean Neonotonia wightii is from Africa, and the modern soybean’s relationship to wild species is uncertain.
**Growth and Development:**
– Soybeans go through distinct stages from seeds to mature plants, including germination, maturation, and flowering.
– Germination starts with radicle emergence, and cotyledons provide nutrients for the seedling.
– Stem growth continues before flowering, which is triggered by shorter day lengths.
– Soybeans have self-fertile flowers attractive to bees.
**Nutritional Composition:**
– Soybeans are 36% protein and 20% fat by weight, with the remainder consisting of carbohydrates, water, and ash.
– They provide high protein and energy content, rich in soy protein.
– Nutritional components include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins (A, B, C, E, K), and minerals (calcium, iron, zinc, etc.).
– Soy protein is heat-stable, a complete protein source suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
**Cultivation and Uses:**
– Soybeans thrive in climates with hot summers and grow optimally at temperatures between 20 to 30°C.
– They can grow in various soils, with moist alluvial soils being optimal, and their nitrogen-fixing ability reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizers.
– Soybeans were used during World War II as substitutes for protein foods and edible oil, and their nitrogen-fixing properties made them useful as fertilizer.
– Soybeans can be sprouted or cooked for human consumption.
**Historical and Geographical Significance:**
– Soybeans were crucial in East Asia before written records and have a debated origin of cultivation.
– The spread of soybeans across regions like East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Iberia, and North America has historical significance.
– Soybeans were considered sacred in ancient Chinese myths and have a long history of cultivation and use in various forms across different regions.