How to Grow Soybeans: Cultivation Methods for the "Number One Longevity Bean"

Soybean is also called yellow bean, known as "shu" in ancient times. China has a very long history of cultivating soybeans, traceable back 5000 years, and soybeans are rich in nutrients, making them one of China's important food crops. So, how do you grow soybeans? Let's find out together!

1. Planting Time for Soybeans

The planting time for yellow beans depends on the region and climate; different regions may vary by one to two months. The best planting time for yellow beans is May to June each year. In northern China it is slightly earlier, generally starting in April to May, while in southern China planting only begins in May to June. However, there are now also autumn-sown yellow beans; a new variety called "August Yellow" is planted starting in August, hence the name "August Yellow." Yellow beans sown in summer must be carefully monitored for soil moisture and must not be too dry.

2. Cultivation Methods

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Yellow beans have strong adaptability and low soil requirements; it can be said that they can be planted in any kind of land, and in rural areas many people sow them without even plowing. However, if you want high yield and high quality yellow beans, you still need to follow scientific planting methods. First, we need to prepare the land; when preparing the land, try to plow deeply, because the biggest natural enemy of yellow beans is the field mouse. Deep plowing can prevent field mice, and during land preparation you can even dig out hidden field mice. In addition, yellow beans do not need many nutrients, so when preparing the land, simply spread an appropriate amount of farmyard manure as base fertilizer.

2. Sowing and raising seedlings

There are two sowing methods for yellow beans: direct sowing and transplanting. Direct sowing means making holes at a spacing of 30 to 50 cm per plant and sowing the seeds. For transplanting, you first need to raise seedlings in a seedbed: wet the seedbed before sowing, then sow the seeds, cover them with soil, and wait for germination. When the bean seedlings grow to 4 to 5 cm, they can be transplanted, with the same spacing as direct sowing.

3. Field management

After planting, water once; water carefully and try to water every plant. Then one week later, thin or fill in seedlings in the field to ensure uniform seedlings and complete establishment. Five to seven days after establishment, carry out one intertillage weeding and fertilization for the yellow beans, and water once at the same time. This fertilization generally uses a mix of compound fertilizer and urea. The second fertilization should wait until the yellow beans bloom and form pods; at this time the yellow beans need certain nutrients to grow, and to make the pods plump you can also apply a little potassium fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer.

4. Disease prevention

The period when yellow beans are most likely to develop diseases is the flowering and pod-forming period. During this period, an appropriate dose of dimethoate emulsion can be used on the yellow beans as a protective measure to protect flowers and pods, thereby increasing fruit set and survival rate. At the same time, weeds should also be removed; use 5% quizalofop-p-ethyl emulsion or 24% lactofen emulsion for weed prevention.

5. Timely harvest

Yellow beans do not mature uniformly, so special attention must be paid during harvest. Generally, when most of the pods on the bean plants gradually turn yellow-green and feel hard to the touch rather than flat, or shatter at a touch, they can be harvested. After harvesting, they need to be dried in the sun, and finally threshed. After threshing there will be a lot of debris; clean out the debris and they can be packed.

The above is the method for how to grow soybeans compiled for you by the editor. If conditions are suitable, you can invest in planting.