Zambia Agribusiness Society

  Like any other crop, soybeans require the right fertilizer so that they can produce a good yield and have a healthy appearance. The feeding of soybeans begins with inoculation. Before planting, it is important to dress the soybeans with an excellent inoculant. An inoculant such as Bioma Brady, supplied by Agricrop, is one of the best options for farmers to consider using to treat their seeds before planting. It is a self-sticking inoculant containing live bacteria called Bradyrhizobium Japonicum, which is housed on the roots where nodules form. The bacteria are responsible for initiating nitrogen fixation on the soybean roots, providing the nitrogen necessary for soybean growth and giving them a vibrant dark green colour as well as retaining nutrients to benefit the next crop. After inoculation, it is essential to plant the soybeans within 24 hours; otherwise, re-inoculation will be required if not planted in the stated time. Manure can be incorporated into the program if it is read

Soya beans are an important crop worldwide, known for their high protein content and versatility. However, they are susceptible to various diseases and insect infestations, which can significantly impact yield and quality. In this field guide, we will explore common diseases in soya beans, how to identify them, and effective prevention methods. We will also discuss the common insects that affect soya beans, how to identify them, and the different control methods available. By understanding these diseases and insects and implementing proper control measures, farmers can protect their soya bean crops and ensure a successful harvest. Key Takeaways Understanding common diseases in soya beans is crucial for effective control. Proper identification of diseases can help farmers take appropriate actions. Preventing diseases in soya beans involves implementing good agricultural practices. Common insects in soya beans include aphids, bean leaf beetles, and soybean loopers. Natural insect control

Soya beans is currently one of the most grown crop in Zambia. This is attributable to the high market prices of the crop over the years. Recently, these prices have dropped, however farmers have continued to grow soya beans due to its likelihood to yield a good return as compared to maize. Soya beans is an immaculate source of protein with uses ranging from feed formulation for livestock to human consumption. The variety of products is mind blowing. We have soya chunks, oil, soy milk and soy meal to mention a few. Disease and Insect Control in Soya Beans Soya bean diseases are not easily identifiable especially for first time farmers. It is therefore imperative to undertake at least one preventive spray within 45 to 50 days of planting. Prevention is better than cure, right? Some common diseases include Frogeye leaf spot, Bacterial blight, Brown stem rot, Downy mildew, Soybean rust and Septorial brown spot. Control can be done by spraying Maxgarde, a fungicide from Agricrop Ser

Soya beans should be planted in ridges or flatland in the month of December. Delayed planting can result in lower yields, while very early planting may result in poor seedling establishment. The recommended spacing is 30 to 35cm between lines and 5cm between plants. The seed should be planted 2.5 to 3cm deep. 1. Types of soya bean cultivars available Determinate vs. indeterminate Soya bean seed has two types of cultivar which is determinate and indeterminate. a)     Determinate - Will grow vegetatively for about six weeks, then begin their reproductive stage which is flowering, pod development, seed development and maturity having put on 12 leaves no further new leaves are produced on the main stem. Therefore, in simple terms we can conclude to say determinate cultivar have a specific height they tend to reach and cannot grow further from there. b)     Whereas indeterminate grow vegetatively for about six weeks, then begin their reproductive stage when the main stem as about 10 leave

1. Types of Soya Cultivars Available a. Determinate vs. Indeterminate Soya bean seed has two types of cultivars which is determinate and indeterminate. Determinate - Will grow vegetatively for about six weeks, then begin their reproductive stage which is flowering, pod development, seed development and maturity having put on 12 leaves no further new leaves are produced on the main stem. Therefore, in simple terms we can conclude to say determinate cultivar have a specific height they tend to reach and cannot grow further from there. Whereas indeterminate grow vegetatively for about six weeks, then begin their reproductive stage when the main stem is about 10 leaves, and continue to grow and produce another five to seven leaves. Therefore, in simple terms these types of cultivar do not have a specific height, they tend to grow taller depending on how you manage them. Indeterminate cultivars tend to grow taller than determinate cultivars. b. Maturity In soya beans we only

1. Select and Plant only the Best Varieties: Make your initial selections carefully by using third-party yield information, and only accept substitutions with proven yield potential. 2. Correct Low-testing Soils Now: Carefully evaluate soil test results. If you’re unsure about fertility levels, conduct a soil test in the spring. Once planted it’s too late to fix deficiencies. 3. Plant Early: In most areas, soybean yields respond to early planting but only into good soil conditions. Avoid planting in extremely dry soils. 4. Plant in Narrow Rows: Soybeans planted in narrow rows will out-yield those planted in 30-inch rows or wider. You can expect approximately 5% of yield advantage for every 10 inches of narrowing down to about 10 inches. This is where we will be ending our discussion for today. Do you have any questions or other forms of contributions, kindly use the comment section below for all your contributions. You are also encouraged to kindly share this information with your love

Take note that this write up is based on 1 hectare and the prices attached are subject to change depending on the time of purchase and this is just a guide for farmers that want maximum production. 1. Seed: We have different types of seed varieties on the market, contact seed companies for different types of varieties available. If you can’t avoid to buy certified seed, you can also plant recycled seed which we call farm seed, below are some recommended certified seed varieties: a)     Spike b)     Safari c)     Dina d)     Lukanga e)     Kafue Seed Price : K650 to K700 per 25kg. Seed requirement per hectare is 100kg that’s 4 of the 25kg bags. Total price of seed per ha is K700 × 4 = K2, 800/ha which will be spent for seed purchase in a hectare. 2. Inoculation It is important that Soya bean seed is inoculated with an inoculant . The inoculant will assist the Soya bean fix its own nitrogen into the soil, this in turn will help you not to apply  top-dressing (urea

Soya beans is a crop that belongs to the same family as beans, groundnuts, sunflower, tomato, eggplants and many more. It is a crop native/indigenous to East Asia (China), which is one of the five oldest crops cultivated by the Chinese for food before 2500 BC. They are collectively called leguminous crops. Unlike maize, the bulk of soya beans consumed in Zambia are grown by the commercial farmers and some of the emergent farmers. Though, it is a crop that is not too difficult to grow, if one judiciously follows its requirements. It is not by design that small-holder farmers don't grow much of it, but for some reasons that have to do with the way it is marketed. Climatic and Soil Requirements It is a crop that can be grown in a wide range of soils, though it does very well in deep well drained sandy loam to clay loam. For economic yields, avoid growing it in sandy soils. However, the soils should also not have a pH less than 5.6. pH is a scale on which we measure soil conditi