ABSTRACT
World soybean production has increased nearly two-thirds in the past 7 to 8 yr, as shown in Table 1 (1). Brazil, which has increased production 7 to 8 fold in that same period of time, is giving special attention to the development of the soybean crop and processing industry (9). Indonesia, even in the tropics, is producing soybeans commercially at locations near the equator. Subtropical and tropical regions are thus being shown to have a great potential for soybean production. That potential will no doubt increase as new adaptable cultivars are made available. The improvement of soybeans is still, however, in an early stage; thus, there is much room for development (12). Technological innovation for higher production and better preservation of soybeans must be implemented to meet diversified regional conditions and requirements.
