ABSTRACT
Soybeans are grown throughout the world as a source of oil and of protein for human and animal consumption. Soybeans are grown mainly in North America, Asia and South America. Soybeans are adapted to a wide variety of soils. They grow as well if not better than maize on heavy textured soils where poor drainage often occurs in the spring. The average yield of soybeans in the world has been increasing about 45 kg/ha per year. This increase is due to a combination of improvements which includes adapted variety, improved weed control, and suitable cultural practices, as well as increased rates of fertilization. In areas where the cropping season is long enough, soybeans are planted after wheat harvest. The practice is called double cropping because both wheat and soybeans are grown in one year. The wheat is grown in the winter and soybeans are grown during the summer.
