Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Fabaceae (legume family)
Location: Pulse crops
Origin: A leguminous plant with its center of origin in Eastern Asia.
Biophysical Requirements: Adapted to areas with midsummer mean temperatures of 24C (75F) to 25C (77F) and is the second most important crop in the USA. The crop is more sensitive to spring frost than corn. It can stand some drought when established and is better adapted to soils of lower fertility than corn. It will also grow on soils that are too acid for alfalfa.
Food Uses: Soybean is a dual‐purpose crop with about 20% edible oil, and when the oil is extracted, the meal is a good source of protein for livestock. The seeds contain about 40% protein. Low‐oil types are used for human food (tofu, soy milk) and the protein can be texturized and used as a meat substitute. Some soybean is used as hay and pasture.