Leguminous Vegetable Cultivation and Seed Production S ...

. Use plastic bags to pack the sprouts for the market. A kilogram of dry seed yields around eight to
nine kilograms of sprouts.
. Vendors in the local market usually sell the sprouts in open containers, but sprouts kept this way
are likely to deteriorate quickly. Well-developed market centers/ supermarkets use special
packages laminated with cellophane to prevent drying and quick deterioration. To enhance shelf
life, keep the sprouts refrigerated.
Vegetable Soybean Cultivation
Vegetable soybean is popular in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan, and consumption is
increasing very rapidly. Although the vegetable-type varieties of soybean are preferred, the greenshelled
beans as well as whole tender green pods of grain soybean can also be used as a vegetable.
Grain soybean is already widely cultivated in many countries of the tropics and subtropics, so the
production of vegetable soybean can be readily adopted. The cultivation practices for vegetable
soybean and grain soybean are similar except that vegetable soybeans are harvested when the pods
are still green and full. Generally, the green seeds of vegetable soybean are larger, more tender and
sweet. Green-shelled beans can be cooked to make a tasty and nutritious meal or snack.
The importance and cultivation practices of vegetable soybean are described below:
. Vegetable soybean, a rich source of vitamin A, and also good source of carbohydrate, protein
and iron, has excellent potential for enriching the human diet. It is more nutritious than vegetable
green peas. The pods of vegetable soybean are harvested when they are still green, just before
the seeds turn yellow.
. The seeds of vegetable soybeans are commonly larger, sweeter and more tender than grain type
soybean. Such green seeds are commonly used in most countries. Even grain soybeans at green
pod stage can be used as a vegetable.
In addition to domestic consumption, vegetable soybean also has export potential. Export market
requirements are:
Hundred seed weight (dry): 30 g;
No. of seeds per pod: 2
Pubescence on pod: gray
Flavor: good
Pod texture after cooking: easy to squeeze
Taste: slightly sweet
Cooking time: short
Frozen vegetable soybeans are popular in supermarkets of Japan and Taiwan.
The best planting date for vegetable soybean differs with season and location depending upon
temperature and daylength. The optimum temperature range for soybean cultivation is 20-30 0 C
with short day length (< 14 hours). However, planting should be avoided at cooler temperatures
during winter. Loam soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5 is suitable for its cultivation, but the field should
be well drained.
At AVRDC, the following suggested cultural management practices are adopted for high yields
of good quality vegetable soybean. You can make modifications to suit local conditions.
Field preparation: Land tillage makes the soil friable for good germination, increases soil
porosity and aeration for healthy plant growth and kills weeds to control weed-crop competition
for soil nutrients, moisture and light. This in turn helps plant productivity. Plow and rototill the
field.
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