soya bean

Also known as: soja bean; soy bean; white gram

An upright, bushy annual legume with green foliage and small, insignificant sweet-pea like white to purple-pink flowers which appear from July through to September, followed by clusters of green, hairy fruit pods containing around 3 to 4 soyabeans per pod. Ready to harvest July through to November, when the pods turn yellow and leaves begin to drop

Scientific classification

Species: soya bean (Glycine max)
Genus: Glycine
Family: Fabaceae

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Toxicity: Annual Biennial · Fruit Edible
Plant type: 1.5-2.5 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Columnar upright
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: 20 – 30 °C
Ideal temperature

soya bean pictures

Distribution of soya bean

Distribution map

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of soya bean

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soya bean care guide

Keep soil moist but well-drained; water regularly during dry spells.
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: 20 – 30 °C
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep soil moist but well-drained; water regularly during dry spells.

Fertilizing

Every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Growing

Grow in moist, well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun under glass April to May. Remove cover when seedlings appear and transfer outside to harden off from late May when the risk of frost has passed. Plants may need support in windy areas. Harvest beans when pods turn yellow. For more advice see soya-bean cultivation

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Common pests and diseases

Diseases

May be susceptible to bacterial blights, brown spot, anthracnose, downy mildews, powdery mildews and soybean rust, root and stem rots, stem blights and virus diseases