Introduction
Soya is a legume that has some of the characteristics of oil-producing seeds.
Soybeans contain more high-quality protein than any other plant-based crop. The amount of protein in soy exceeds even the amount of protein in meat, eggs and milk. Other characteristics of the soybean crop include having fat that does not contain cholesterol (cholesterol), the ability of the soybean plant to add nitrogen fertilizer to the soil, the abundance of protein that can eliminate malnutrition, especially in children, and strengthen the body's immunity against diseases. .
In addition, the ability of soybeans to grow in areas that grow corn and beans means that the crop can be cultivated in many places in Tanzania. These characteristics have made the soybean crop important in human and livestock food and in the production of various food and medicine products. Also, the production costs of soybeans are low compared to other crops.
Along with the benefits of the soybean crop, the crop is not as well known as other crops such as beans and corn. Many farmers do not know the principles of good soybean cultivation. This is due to not knowing the importance of the crop and therefore not paying attention to cultivating it and using it to improve health and income, especially at the household level.
This article has been specially prepared to guide the farmer on how to cultivate soybeans.
Field Preparation
Soybean field needs good preparation like other crops.
The preparation of the field includes :
Removing all the weeds because soybeans do not tolerate weeds especially in the early stages of growth (seedling stage). Soybean field can be cultivated in rows or ridges. Sesa farming can be done using a hand plow or a plow drawn by working animals such as oxen and donkeys or by using a tractor. Cultivation of ridges to prevent soil erosion and reduce the speed of water is suitable and recommended for high places. Likewise, cultivation of ridges is suitable for flat areas but with heavy rains to reduce the effects of stagnant water after heavy rains.
Weather
Soybean is a crop that is resistant to drought and can be cultivated in areas with little, moderate to heavy rains, as well as soybeans do well in loamy soil, although they also do well in clay soil.
Rain Requirements Soybean requires an average of 350 to 1,500 milliliters of rain per year and it rains with a good dispersion especially throughout the growth period of the crop. Soybeans are also suitable for irrigated agriculture because in those areas there is a guarantee of moisture all the time. The thing to consider is the absence of rain when the soybean dries
Use of Inputs
As with most crops, soybeans also require fertile, well-drained soil. So if soybean is cultivated in a place with low fertility, it will need fertilizer like other crops, even though it tolerates poor soil. Therefore, the decision to use or not to use fertilizers and the level of use will depend on the fertility present in the soil in the relevant area. However, soybeans require an average of 80 to 100 kilograms of DAP and TSP fertilizers per hectare and 60 to 80 kilograms of CAN fertilizers per hectare (2 and a half hectares).
Climbing
Soybean cultivation depends a lot on the climate of the area. Areas with a lot of rain Soybeans are planted from the end of November to mid-December and areas with little rain sunflower are planted from February to March. The thing to consider when planting is to make sure that the fertilizer does not come into contact with the seeds because the fertilizer will burn the seeds and they will not germinate. The farmer is advised to plant soybeans in the positions recommended by experts. Those spaces are #10 cm by #45 cm for short soybeans like #bossier and in areas with poor fertility. #10 cm by #60 cm for tall soybeans like #UyoleSoya1 and in areas with high fertility. Plant one seed in each hole and cover them with a depth of two centimeters to #5 centimeters so that they are not damaged or eaten by animals such as rats. The farmer should ensure that soybeans are planted in soil with sufficient moisture; It is absolutely not necessary to plant soybeans in dry soil or to soak soybeans before planting. SEED QUANTITY AND SOYBEAN PLANTING It is important to prepare good and clean seeds early before the rainy season begins. On average, 20 to 30 kg of soybean seeds are enough for one hectare depending on the type of seed. Since many types of soybeans do not grow everywhere, it is important for the farmer to make sure that he uses the right seed in the area he wants to grow soybeans, especially the needs of rain
Pesticides And Insects
DISEASES
Unlike other crops, soybean diseases are rare. However, diseases that occur rarely are those caused by fungi and bacteria. These diseases are spread by seeds, plant residues in the field and oil insects. One of the ways to prevent the spread of these diseases in the soybean crop is to plant clean and recommended seeds in the relevant area. In addition, plant in rotation (crop rotation) using crops that are not attacked by soybean diseases such as sunflower and corn.
DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS IN SOY Soybean is not attacked by insects as it is in other places where the crop is grown in abundance. However, if insects appear, the farmer is advised to use insecticides such as Thiodan 35% EC and Sumithion 50% EC at a dose of 40 milliliters of the drug and 20 liters of water or the dose recommended in the relevant medicine. Spraying should be done according to the amount of insect attack on the crop. There are no soybean pests in the barn. So the crop can be kept for a long time in the barn without having the effects of insects. For the farmer and traders, the absence of pests in the barn reduces maintenance costs until a good price is achieved. Pests 5.3 PESTS IN SOYBEANS Usually, soybeans are very popular with field and barn mice. Other animals include rabbits, deer, antelope, Ngedere, etc. The farmer is advised to use various methods and methods, including natural ones, to deal with these animals without damaging the environment.
Weeds
Soy is a crop that is surrounded by weeds, especially in the early stages of growth. Therefore, the farmer is advised to weed within two weeks after the soybean sprouts. The second weeding depends on the level of weeds in the field. If the weeds are covered with soybean leaves, the second weeding may not be needed as seen in #Picture No. 1 where the soybeans planted in the required positions have grown and covered all the weeds and thus the second weeding is unnecessary. #Picture No. 2 shows soybeans planted in a wide and unwanted space that has not grown to the level of covering the weeds and thus forcing the second weeding to take place. Weeds in soybean fields can also be controlled by using herbicides such as GALEX; however, it is appropriate to follow the instructions for use of the respective medicine on the sticker
Harvesting
Symptoms of mature soybeans are when the leaves turn yellow. The farmer is advised to start harvesting after the leaves start to wither. HARVESTING METHODS After the soybeans have dried their leaves in the field, the farmer must pluck the soybeans by hand or he can harvest them by using special harvesting machines. Soybeans should not be pounded because their seeds break easily. Once threshed, remove trash and other debris from the soybeans by sifting and sifting. Kasha Dry the soybeans to an average of 10 percent of the amount of water/moisture (moisture content) and then store them in the barn for use or waiting for the market.
Production
How To Save
When the soybean dries, the pods split and the seeds fall to the ground. Therefore, the farmer is advised to harvest soybeans once they mature and begin to dry. In order to prevent crop loss in the field, it is recommended to harvest in the morning or in a season that is not sunny if the soybeans are dry and start to crack during harvesting. Experts in the best storage of crops advise that it is better to put the crops on wood or special containers known as pallets. These prevent soybeans from spoiling and not having a good price in the market. Similarly, the warehouse should have good features such as not allowing pests, a leak-proof roof and good air circulation to make the stored soybeans last longer.