Krieg’s Berries

Soy is one of the most popular crops in crops. It belongs to the legume family, has a high yield and grows on almost any type of soil, except for sandy ones. Soy fruits contain a large amount of vegetable protein. They have the widest application: they are used for preparing various dishes and in food production, as well as as feed for farm animals.

Soy flour is made from bean seeds, from which soy meat is in turn produced. Soybean oil (which is considered one of the best vegetable oils) and soy milk (white seeds are used for this) are obtained from the seeds. Soya liquid sauce is prepared from fermented soy. Soybean meal is produced from pressed beans.

Demand for soybeans is consistently high. It costs much more than wheat and is much less prone to price fluctuations. The need for soybeans and products of its processing is increasing every year with an increase in poultry meat production and developing livestock and pig breeding. For all these reasons, soybean cultivation is a profitable and highly profitable business. However, as in any other direction, there are certain features that must be taken into account.

The subtleties of soybean cultivation

The main phases of soybean growth include germination (from sowing to seedlings), seedlings (from the appearance of cotyledons to the blooming of primordial leaves), the formation of the first triple leaf, branching, the appearance of buds, flowering, the formation of beans, seed filling and ripening. Under favorable conditions, soybean seedlings can be seen already on the 6-9th day after sowing. During the filling of seeds, soybean no longer grows, and during the ripening of beans, plants discard leaves. In most varieties, ripened beans do not crack, and the plants themselves do not lie, which facilitates harvesting.

For some reason, it is widely believed that soy is an unpretentious plant. In fact, it is a light-loving and heat-demanding culture. With a lack of lighting, the stems of the plant and leaf cuttings lengthen, which prevents the formation of side shoots and beans or even the fall of previously formed ovaries in the lower part of the plant. The greatest heat demand is in the flowering and fruit formation phases. The optimum air temperature during this period is 21-22 ° C. At temperatures from 14 ° C and below, the plant does not grow and does not develop. At the beginning and end of the growing season, the need for heat is much lower. Moreover, at this time, plants even relatively calmly tolerate frosts to –2-3.5 ° С.

In addition to light and heat, soy needs a lot of moisture, but this need also depends on the period of plant growth. In the initial period of growth, before the appearance of flowers, soy is relatively drought-resistant, although a lack of moisture can somewhat negatively affect the productivity of plants and the development of lower beans.

But with a lack of moisture during flowering, the formation of ovaries and pouring seeds into large volumes of the crop, you should not count. With the intensive development of green mass, the area of ​​the evaporating surface of the plant increases, so with the onset of flowering, moisture consumption also increases. During flowering and the formation of beans, soybeans are also demanding on air humidity. At low humidity during this period, new ones do not form and existing flowers and beans are discarded.

Experts advise growing soybeans on weed-free fields with optimal reserves of nutrients and moisture. Do not forget that for a good harvest, this plant needs two to three times more nutrients than grain crops. This means that the soil for growing soybeans must be fertile and cultivated, otherwise you can not do without the additional cost of applying a large amount of fertilizer. There are no particular preferences for soil types, but neutral or slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5), well-permeable soil rich in phosphorus, humus and calcium is best suited.

Like all legumes, soy is a valuable crop in crop rotation. It can be sown in the fields where cereals (best of all, winter wheat), corn, sugar beets, potatoes, and perennial grasses were grown before that. Other legumes, perennial legumes, cabbage and sunflowers are unsuitable as precursors because of the danger of the spread of bacteriosis and other diseases.

Some crops susceptible to sclerotinosis (for example, rapeseed, soybeans, sunflowers) should not exceed 33% in crop rotation. After soybean, it is recommended to sow the field with winter wheat, other crops, corn, rape, fodder and vegetables. Take into account that late harvesting in some regions of our country does not allow winter crops to be grown after soy. Soya greatly depletes the soil with nutrients, so it must be borne in mind that it is recommended to return soya to its original place no earlier than two years later. Thus, you will need to regularly look for new sown areas for each year.

Soybean varieties differ not only in requirements for agroclimatic and environmental conditions, but also in purpose. For example, there are varieties intended for oil-feed use or food, oriented to the production of soy proteins. It is also necessary to take into account the purchase price, composition, ratio of the main grain ingredients and the yield of a particular variety. Please note: in our country it is forbidden to grow genetically modified soybeans, although abroad it has become very widespread due to the fact that this culture is not so demanding and cheaper than ordinary soybeans.

Proper preparation of the soybean field

A field intended for sowing must be prepared in advance. First, in the fall, one or two husks are produced to a depth of 8-10 cm and fertilizers are applied for plowing. If crops were previously grown on this field, fertilizers are applied to a depth of 22-25 cm, and if corn is grown to a depth of 25-30 cm. Harrowing is carried out in early spring with heavy, medium or light harrows across or at an angle to the direction of plowing.

In principle, presowing cultivation of the field is not much different from cultivating the soil for other leguminous crops. Its main goal is the destruction of weed seedlings and the preservation of moisture. If the field is not leveled in autumn, if it is clogged with weeds or carrion, during long, cold winters, in the spring they cultivate to a depth of 6-8 cm, followed by digging. It allows you to increase the temperature of the seed layer by a couple of degrees and stimulates the germination of weeds, which are then removed.

For pre-sowing cultivation, which is carried out to a depth of 4-5 cm across or at an angle in the direction of the previous cultivation, steam or beet cultivators with flat-cut legs will be required. The field for sowing should be as flat as possible and without lumps. This is due to the fact that soybeans are quite low. An uneven surface makes it difficult to harvest. The height of the ridges and the depth of the furrows should not be more than four centimeters.

After sowing, soil herbicides are introduced to seedlings using harrows to a depth of at least three centimeters or ring-spur rollers (in this case, the efficiency of nitrogen-fixing bacteria increases). If there are rhizome and rootstock weeds on the field, then it is recommended not to carry out pre-sowing treatment, but to wait for the wheat grass to grow to 10-15 cm and to sow. Then, 3-4 after sowing, before soybean shoots appear, the fields are treated with a continuous round herbicide. Fertilizer consumption is 10-20 kg / ha of nitrogen, 15-30 kg / ha of phosphorus and 25-60 kg / ha of potassium.

Seeds must be etched before sowing, and immediately when sown, they are inoculated with nodule bacteria (rhizotorfin). Conventional etching machines are not suitable for inoculating soybean seeds, since the particles of rizotorfin are quite large and do not pass through the nozzle and filters of conventional equipment, and rizotorfin in liquid form is more difficult to use. Some farmers use a concrete mixer for this, others inoculate in the back of a truck, followed by breaking up the formed lumps in the seeder. The flow rate of the working solution is about 70-80 liters per 1 ton.

Some farmers do not use rhizotorfin, and before planting, they add ammonium nitrate to the soil. On the one hand, this increases the cost of production, but allows for good yield.

Sowing is carried out in the third decade of April – the first and second decades of May when the soil is heated to a temperature of 10-15 ° C. First, late-ripening varieties are sown, and only at the end are early ripening varieties. Seeds are sown to a depth of 450-700 mm. The row spacing is 0.4-0.6 m. The seeding rate depends on the variety of plants, the method of sowing and weed control. The average sowing density is 35-40 seeds per meter. With an increase in row spacing, the seeding rate also increases by 10-20%.

How to collect and store soy

After the emergence of seedlings, it is necessary to regularly destroy weed plants and carry out cultivation of row-spacings. After the appearance of 5-6 true leaves, the plants begin to bloom. At this stage, nitrophoska (mineral nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer) is introduced into the soil, abundantly watered and covered with earth. The ripening period ranges from 85 to 245 days, depending on the variety and climatic conditions of the growing region.

For example, early soybean varieties ripen by the end of July, and later by October. Harvested after falling leaves and the acquisition of beans grayish color. Before digging the plot, the stems of the plant are pulled out, and the fallen leaves are buried in the ground to accelerate their decay. Before threshing, the beans are laid out in the sun, where they open or hatch, then they are screened and poured into bags. For storage of soybeans, you can use ordinary arochniki.

The main thing is that the humidity level in it does not exceed 14-15% (optimal – 12%). Too wet soybeans can be dried using special equipment, but this is too expensive a process that significantly increases the cost of finished products.

Productivity depends on the region, on the variety and on weather conditions. The average yield without irrigation is 10 centners per hectare, and with irrigation – 25 c / ha. The highest yields in most regions are given by early varieties.

Experienced farmers know that sowing and growing soy is not the most difficult thing. It is much more difficult to harvest the crop. For this, harvesters are used (usually Don). Although the soybean crop needs to be harvested in a short time (for some varieties it is only 3-5 days), otherwise the beans will crack and crumble to the ground, but it is very difficult to do this even if there is a sufficient amount of equipment.

One combine can harvest a maximum of 20 hectares per day, provided that the fields are well-cultivated and without weeds. But in fact, this indicator is much less – about 5 hectares. And even in this case, crop losses are very significant. During harvesting, it is necessary to ensure that the soy stalks do not fall into the drum of the combine, otherwise the risk of breakage is high.

To grow soybeans, you need the following equipment:

• pneumatic seeder (you can use seeders for sunflower, grain or beets),
• cultivator,
• equipment for inoculation and harrowing,
• harvesters.

The profitability of this business is 25%. To increase the profitability of the business, experts advise buying an extruder for the production of soya “meat”. This is an inexpensive and fairly compact equipment that allows the processing of beans. The product yield is up to 25 tons per 30 tons of feedstock.

Today is not an ordinary article. This is a collection of excerpts from official research scientists from the United States of America. They were conducted by specialists from the Center for Alternative Plants and Products of Animal Origin (University of Minnesota) and the 2nd Division of Agronomy and Soil Science of the College of Agricultural Sciences (University of Wisconsin) a few years ago.

This data of foreign researchers is another official and competent confirmation of the unusual properties of this wonderful plant. Each section of the article presents brief conclusions from US researchers.

Historical facts

Amaranth, an ancient culture prevalent on the American continent. Cereal amaranths were important in different parts of the world and at different times for several thousand years.

The largest cultivation area was at the height of the Aztec civilization in Mexico in the 1400s. The last two centuries, grain amaranth has been grown in various places on the planet, including:

• Mexico;

• Central American countries;

• India;

• Nepal;

• China;

• and East Africa.

Amaranth studies by US agronomists began in the 1970s. Then several thousand acres of amaranth were grown in the United States for commercial use (sales of the products — seeds, oil, flour, leaves). Amaranth markets were not yet very stable, but evolved every year. Crop area increased in the 1980s.

Today, novice producers are encouraged to start with a few acres, and contracts for the sale of the future crop should be made even before sowing.

Scientists from the United States of America identify several areas of application for this plant and the products derived from it.

Food use

Grain amaranth is used for food. The most common application is to grind grain into flour for cooking:

• bread and pastries;

• noodles;

•cookies;

• and other flour-based foods.

Also from the grain of amaranth you can cook popcorn. Currently, there are several dozen products on the basis of amaranth grain on the US market.

One of the reasons that has recently caused an interest in amaranth is its beneficial nutritional properties – the grain contains:

• from 12 to 17% protein;

• lysine, an essential amino acid;

• vitamins and trace elements.

In addition, the grain is characterized by a high fiber content and a low content of saturated fat, which contributes to its use in the market of healthy food. Studies conducted on laboratory animals have shown that amaranth grain, used for food, can significantly reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the body.

Using in animal husbandry

Amaranth is used relatively often in animal husbandry, being an excellent animal feed. For example, research conducted in Minnesota (USA) showed how high the potential of this plant is as animal feed.

In addition, similar studies were conducted at pilot sites in Iowa.

As a result, it was found that in regions where it is too dry for growing corn, amaranth grain may become a suitable silage alternative, but research in this area will still be conducted.

Amaranth features

In the US, it is common to grow two species of this plant:

• Amaranthus cruentus;

• Amaranthus hypochondriacus.

Grain amaranths are different species with different characteristics, and did not turn into weeds, where they were grown, but retained their cultural characteristics. Amaranth grain grown in Arlington, Wisconsin contained between 16.6 and 17.5% protein.

Grain amaranths have large colored seed heads and can produce more than 900 kilograms of grain per hectare. At least, it is these indicators of yield recorded in the cultivation of amaranth in the Midwest. However, researchers note that part of the grain is still lost at harvest.

Amaranth cereal plants in the mature state reach 1.5-2 meters. They are dicotyledonous (broad-leaved) plants with thick, tough stems like sunflowers. Tiny, lens-shaped seeds have a diameter of one millimeter and usually from white to cream color.

Environmental requirements and cultivation

Also, scientists have studied in detail the conditions under which the best yield of amaranth can be achieved. And described the basic requirements for climate. Amaranth has been found to be drought tolerant, but subject to the presence of sufficient moisture to ripen the crop. Amaranth perfectly responds to constant, intense sunlight, direct sunlight and rather high temperatures.

Now let’s take a closer look at exactly how the preparation, planting and harvesting should be carried out. The seeds are very small, it is important that they are sufficiently solid. Field preparation for sowing can be performed using a field cultivator or disc equipment. This is followed by cultivation, using a harrow with grooves and seeding, preferably using a planter with pressure discs.

Seeds should be planted no more than 12 millimeters into the ground, depending on the texture of the soil and the surface moisture during planting. When choosing a field for sowing, heavy textured soils should be avoided. Sow amaranth in the United States begin in late May or early June, when the soil temperature is at least 18 degrees Celsius. And after the land was treated against the growth of the first weeds.

Accurate, optimal seed volumes have not been established, however, up to about 1.8 kilograms of seeds per hectare should be used. The distance between the rows depends on the equipment. The seeder should be ideal for small amaranth seeds. Traditional grain planters are not recommended due to problems with sowing speed control and sowing depth, but they can be used if amaranth seeds are diluted with “carrier”, for example, corn.

Harvesting

The harvest is the most important stage in the production of grain. Without compliance with certain, you can lose or damage most of the seeds. In particular, we are talking about the use of special reapers, which are designed for cutting amaranth stems and knocking out small grains of this plant. Studies conducted by University specialists during 12 years of demonstration that the yield of up to 18 centners per hectare is quite real! Naturally, if the site for this was previously prepared.