Abstract
Vegetable soybean or edamame is a specialty soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Unlike grain-type soybean (mainly for oil and source of protein in animal feeds), edamame pods are harvested at a green and immature stage, and beans are consumed by humans as a vegetable. While originally from China, edamame has recently gained much-increased popularity and expanded market needs in the US. However, domestic edamame production is limited in the US because at least 70% of the edamame consumed is imported. Poor seed germination and seedling emergence are one of the major problems in US edamame production. This review focuses on the introduction of edamame, a high-value niche crop, and its low emergence issue in production. Here, we provide a comprehensive exploration of the factors that influence edamame germination and emergence, including the intrinsic factors related to seeds (seed and seedling characteristics), and extrinsic factors related to the biotic (soil/seed-borne diseases) and abiotic (seedbed physical components as well as their interaction with climate) stresses. This information will help farmers and plant breeders to better understand the causes of the poor edamame emergence and may provide a foundation for improved field management of edamame, to increase production of this valuable specialty crop.
Highlights
Vegetable soybean is a specialty soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)
Unlike grain soybeans, vegetable soybeans are consumed by humans as a vegetable [1]
This chapter has attempted to define the seed intrinsic and environmental factors associated with edamame germination and seedling establishment. It provides readers with a knowledge of the aspects of environmental influence on seed quality and its subsequent effect on seedling emergence, which can be helpful for a comprehensive understanding of the causes of poor edamame seedling emergence that some farmers face
Summary
Vegetable soybean is a specialty soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Unlike grain soybeans (mainly for oil, source of protein in animal feeds, and processed foodstuffs, including soy sauce, tofu, soy milk, and natto), vegetable soybeans are consumed by humans as a vegetable [1]. Originating from China, vegetable soybean is popular throughout East Asian countries (especially China, Japan, and Korea) due to its long history of consumption. Soybean development and maturation can be divided into vegetative and reproductive physiological stages. The reproductive stages are characterized by blooming (R1 and R2), pod development (R3 and R4), seed filling (R5 and R6), and plant maturity (R7 and R8) stages [5]. Unlike grain soybeans that are harvested at full maturity (R8 stage), edamame is harvested in pods between the reproductive stages of R6 and R7, when beans fill 80–90% of the pod width and still retain around 65% moisture content [6]. Harvesting at the R6 stage brings the benefits of having desired edible quality attributes for edamame, such as peak seed weight and sucrose content, lower oligosaccharide and anti-nutrients values, and intense green color [7]. Edamame is becoming more and more popular all over the world, in the United States
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