Edamame Cultivar Evaluation in Central Alabama

Abstract

Edamame [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is vegetable soybean harvested and consumed at the R6 development stage. The growing popularity of edamame as a healthy snack food has led to increased interest in edamame production from soybean producers across the Southeast. The objective of this study was to evaluate selected edamame cultivars for adaptation and production in central Alabama. Selected cultivars were represented by four maturity groups (MGs): MG III (Midori Giant, Chiba Green, Butterbean, Sayamusume, and BeSweet 2001), MG IV (Gardensoy 42, Mojo Green), MG V (Mooncake, Lanco, and Gardensoy 51), and MG VI (Owens).Cultivars were planted in replicated plots at the Plant Breeding Unit in Tallassee, AL, in May 2014 and June 2015. Data was collected on germination, plant height at maturity, height of lowest pod, weight of 25 shelled bean, days to first flower, pods per plant, bean per pod, and total yield. Highest yielding cultivars in 2014 included Gardensoy 51 and Midori Giant at 15,960 and 15,742 kg ha−1, respectively. In 2015, Mojo Green, Gardensoy 51, and Mooncake were the highest yielding cultivars at 13,576, 13,195, and 13,092 kg ha−1. In both years BeSweet 2001 produced the lowest yields: 10,226 kg ha−1 in 2014 and 2592 kg ha−1 in 2015. Weight of 25 shelled bean plants varied widely among cultivars. Cultivars from early maturity groups (MG III) produced larger beans with lower overall yield. This data will help producers chose cultivars based on yield potential and market preferences. This study evaluated selected edamame cultivars for production in Alabama. Cultivar characteristics such as bean weight, bean per pod, and plant height were documented. Many of the cultivars in this study have never been evaluated for production in the southeastern United States. This study will provide growers detailed production information that was previously unavailable.