Soybean is the Best Pulse Crop for Nutrition

Soybean a very prospective Oil Crop in the World. Its also a pulse Crop. From the view point of nutrition no other Pulse Crop like Mung Bean, Lentil or Gram is equivalent to it, and rather it is very much superior to any one of those Crops.

For each 100 gm:

• The ingredient of calorie in Soybean is 432.0, in Chickpea it is 372.0, in Mung Bean it is 348.0, in Lentil it is 343.0 and in Ponpea it is 335.0

• The ingredient of Protein in Soybean is 43.2gm, in Chickpea it is 20.8gm, in Mung Bean it is 24.5gm, in Lentil it is 25.1gm and in Ponpea it is 22.0gm

• The ingredient of Fat in Soybean is 19.5gm, in Chickpea it is 5.6gm, in Mung Bean it is 1.2, in Lentil it is 0.7gm and in Ponpea it is 1.7gm.

• The ingredient of Mineral in Soybean is 4.6gm, in Chickpea it is 2.7gm, in Mung Bean it is 3.5gm, in Lentil it is 2.1gm and in Ponpea it is 3.5gm.

• Some other ingredients like Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene, Riboflavin and Niacin are also more than the above mentioned Oil Seeds.

Though the oil content of Soybean is less than those of two major Oil Seeds, Mustard and Groundnut, its Protein content is quite high. The protein content of Soybean is 43.2% against 24 - 25% and 25 - 26% of Mustard and Groundnut, respectively.

Soybean is a very old Oil Crop. It was mentioned in a book by a Chinese Emperor in connection with some useful plants long time back. He considered Soybean as a beneficial food and medicinal plant.

Soil and Climate:

Soybean may be grown in almost in all kind of soil, but loamy or sandy loam is better suited for its cultivation. Also a well-drained fertile soil is considered desirable.

During the first three months of the crop growth, enough rain and warm atmosphere are essential. But at the time of maturity of the Seed and Crop harvest, cool and dry conditions are desirable. A temperature of 24 to 25 degree C. considered being helpful and it should not fall bellow 10 degree C. Irrigation is not essential but depending on the climate sometimes it may be helpful for the growing plants.

Click for a brief Botanical Description of Soybean

Related:

Importance of Oil Seed and Crops