Soy is on everyone's lips. Whether as animal feed or as part of a purely plant-based diet, demand for soybean is reaching new record levels year after year. For the past season, a peak in global consumption was predicted for the ninth year in a row. Reason enough to consider growing the protein-rich bean in regions other than established countries such as Brazil and the USA, but what does the soybean need? How does it best thrive, and how do farmers ensure stable yields even under unfavorable conditions?

The soybean - potential trump card in climate change adaptation

The soybean is in and of itself a relatively undemanding crop. It requires comparatively little water and meets its nitrogen needs from the air. Its relatively high heat requirement makes it a suitable crop for climate change adaptation. Late sowing also opens up many possibilities in weed control. Insecticides are usually not necessary. The formation of deep taproots and intensive lateral roots also gives it a high value as a preceding crop.

Best growing conditions through thorough seedbed preparation

Good seedbed preparation forms the basis for successful cultivation. It promotes germination and thus the control of weeds and leads to rapid and uniform field emergence. Soybean has a low pod set, so the seedbed should be stone-free.

The sowing date is crucial, as is careful inoculation

In soybean cultivation, the right time for sowing is crucial. From mid-April onwards, when the soil has warmed up properly for the first time, the seed feels most at home. Sown at the right time, the seedling develops in time and can easily withstand late frosts. Before sowing, the seed should always be carefully inoculated with nodule bacteria. They are not native to European soils, but the bean needs them to bind nitrogen. It does not matter whether the crop is new to the field or whether nodule bacteria are already established in the soil. Inoculation with the small rhizobia should not be omitted.

Interesting to know: The plant can cover 80 percent of its nitrogen requirements via the nodule bacteria. This improves the CO₂ balance and is good for the soil.

Full pods with sufficient water

Even if the crop's overall water requirement is comparatively low - at flowering (in July) and when the pods are filled (in August), it is essential to provide sufficient water. Otherwise, the flowers will be rejected or the number of grains per pod will be significantly reduced.

Drought and heat also challenge soybean cultivation in Europe

There are now several varieties that cope quite well with heat and drought stress. Indeterminate growth types, for example, can certainly continue to grow even after a heat- and drought-induced growth standstill. Nevertheless, changes due to climate have challenged soybean production in the last three years, also in the EU.

This is where the use of humic acids can provide a remedy. In integrated farming in Latin America, for example, BioHealth®, a water-soluble organic fertilizer based on humic acids, algae extract and beneficial microorganisms, now plays an important role.