5. Soybeans Flashcards
what plant family are soybeans part of?
what subfamily?
family: leguminosae
subfamily: papilionoidae
what is the scientific name for soybeans?
glycine max
what components of soybeans are they mostly cultivated for?
its oil and protein
where are soybeans originated from?
eastern asia
what are factors leading to increased soybean production?
- for food and feed for humans and livestock
- as replacement for oils high in saturated fats
- feedstock (for biodiesel production as alternative fuel)
what type of genetic engineering is applied to soybeans?
GM soybeans have higher oleic and stearic acids and lower linolenic acids (to increase stability)
which FA is originally present in soybeans, which is highly susceptible to oxidation?
linolenic acid
what soils do soybeans grow well on? where do they not grow well in?
most soils, except deep sands with poor water retentions
what is optimal soil pH for soybean growth? what may be required?
6-6.5 (liming may be required)
what is liming?
treat (soil or water) with lime to reduce acidity and improve fertility or oxygen levels
what is the best growing environment for soybeans?
temperate zones
why are soybeans called “short-day plants”?
flowering occurs when the nights being to lengthen
when are soybeans planted? when are they fully mature?
planted late spring to early summer
fully mature at early mid-autumm (when leaves turn yellow and while seeds begin to lose moisture)
when are soybeans harvested?
when water content of the seed is 13%, the max safe moisture level for long range storage
what happens if moisture content is too high when soybeans are harvested?
what is moisture is too low?
too high: promotes mold growth and rancidity
too low: seeds will be very brittle. Can lead to cracking/breaking of the seeds and cause disruption of membranes to release lipases that break down
which development stage of soybeans is adequate water most important for?
pod and seed development (pod filling stage)
where does ~50% of total N of the soybean plant come from?
N-fixing capacity through symbiosis with soil bacteria
what are the 4 main components of a soybean?
- testa: seedcoat
- cotyledon: seed leaf
- plumule: shoot
- radicle: root
describe the shape of soybeans
flat disc
can be spherical or elongated
compare industrial vs elongated varieties
industrial:
- grown for oil
- spherical
- ONLY yellow
elongated:
- used as vegetables
- can be yellow, green, brown, black
- has larger seeds
how are seed sizes expressed?
as number of seeds per unit volume or weight
eg: 18-20gm/100beans
what does the cotyledones consist of?
- 2 parts: radicle and plumule
- represents 90% of seed wt
- contains almost all oil and protein in its cells
what does the moisture content of soybeans depend on?
storage conditions
what is the equation of moisture content wet basis and dry basis?
MCwb = (Wi-Wf)/Wi x 100
MCdb = (Wi-Wf)/Wf x 100