NO.N CIRCULATING CHECK FOR UNBOUND CIRCULATING COPY, Range of Adaptation of Certain Varieties of Vegetable -Type Soybeans J. W. LLOYD Bulletin 471 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION CONTENTS PAGE RANGE OF SUCCESSFUL CULTURE IN ILLINOIS 80 SUCCESSFUL CULTURE IN COOL CLIMATES 84 Upper Mississippi Valley and the Northwest 84 Results of Tests in New England 86 Performance in New York 86 Results in Iowa and South Dakota 86 Performance at High Altitudes 88 PERFORMANCE OF VARIETIES IN COLLECTION B 89 Pronounced Success in Midwest and East 89 Trouble With Grasshoppers in Nebraska 93 PERFORMANCE OF VARIETIES IN COLLECTION C 93 Rabbits and Dry Weather Curtailed Kansas Crop 93 Successful Thruout Most of Missouri 94 Central and Eastern States Bordering South 94 Results of Tests in Southern States 95 Performance in California and Arizona % PERFORMANCE IN CANADA AND OTHER OUTLYING REGIONS 97 Tests of Early Varieties in Canada 97 Results in Three Remote Regions 97 ACCEPTABILITY OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 98 DEMAND FOR SEED 98 PLACE IN VEGETABLE INDUSTRY 99 SUMMARY.. . 100 Urbana, Illinois December, 1940 Publications in the Bulletin series report the results of investigations made or sponsored by the Experiment Station Range of Adaptation of Certain Varieties of Vegetable -Type Soybeans J. W. LLOYD, Chief in Fruit and Vegetable Marketing AEW OBSERVATIONS on the range of adaptation of vege- table-type soybeans were included in Bulletin 453 of this Station, "Eighteen Varieties of Edible Soybeans," published in March, 1939. These observations were based on reports received from persons to whom seed had been distributed during the years 1935 to 1938 inclusive. The publication of this bulletin and press announce- ments regarding it contributed to the manifestation of a widespread in- terest in vegetable-type soybeans and resulted in the receiving of re- quests for seed from every state in the Union except two. There were also requests from five Canadian provinces and six foreign countries other than Canada. Persons living in 90 of the 102 Illinois counties requested seed. In response to these requests a total of 1,880 lots of seed were sent out from Urbana; 216 requests from the southern states were referred to W. J. Morse, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, who had seed of varieties presumably better adapted to the South. The seed furnished most of these correspondents consisted of four packets, each containing approximately 100 seeds. Four varieties were represented, covering the season from early to late so far as possible with the seed available and with due consideration to the climatic con- ditions in the different parts of the country to which the seed was sent. Three different assortments of varieties were used for the most part in the distribution. Collection A, consisting of Giant Green, Bansei, Fuji and Willomi, was dis- tributed to persons in northern Illinois and in all states where the climate is presumably as cool as or cooler than in that section of Illinois. Collection B, consisting of No. 80494, Jogun, Illington and Imperial, was distributed in central Illinois and in most parts of Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska, as well as in Connecticut and New Jersey. Collection C, consisting of Giant Green, No. 80490-1, Emperor and Higan, was distributed in southern Illinois and in states presumably with similar or warmer climates. Only a few lots of seed were sent from Urbana into the distinctly southern states, since shortly after the distribution was begun, ar- rangements were made with Dr. Morse to take care of the southern requests. 79 80 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, Since available seed supplies were exhausted as of May 31, and the most favorable planting season was over, the 80 persons whose re- quests were received during June and July were sent no seed. On September 1 a form for making a written report was mailed to each person to whom seed had been supplied, together with a letter asking that a report be made even if success had not been attained in the production of the crop. Replies were received from 810 (43 percent) of the 1,880 persons who were supplied with seed from Urbana. Of the 630 Illinois resi- dents receiving seed, 232 sent in reports; of the 1,225 persons in other states who were sent seed, 566 filed reports. 1 Twelve reports were received from foreign countries, to which 25 lots of seed had been sent. Counties in the United States from which successful culture of vegetable-type soybeans was reported are shown in Fig. 2, page 83. RANGE OF SUCCESSFUL CULTURE IN ILLINOIS Reports received from 80 Illinois counties indicate successful cul- ture of vegetable-type soybeans in 75 of those counties in 1939 (Fig. 1). Of the 232 Illinois growers reporting their experiences with TABLE 1. ILLINOIS REPORTS ON PLANTING OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS, 1939 Number Percent* Persons to whom seed was sent 630 Persons who sent in written reports 232 36.8 Persons reporting successful culture 184 79.3 Persons not planting seed received 13 5.6 Counties to which seed was sent 90 Counties from which reports were received 80 Counties reporting successful culture 75 Persons reporting crop failure 35 15.1 Reported causes of failure Planted too late 6 17.1 Destroyed by rabbits 21 60.0 Weather too wet or too dry 3 8.6 Grasshoppers 1 2.8 Rootworms 1 2.8 Domestic animals 2 5.7 Cyclone 1 2.8 Growers who reported liking table quality of the soybeans 142 77.1 Growers who considered crop promising for their localities 131 71.2 136 73.9 Note different bases from which percentages are calculated. 'All except 19 of these reports have been used in making up the summaries included in Tables 2 to 6 inclusive. Those not included were isolated reports from southern states, or from persons who did not receive the regular assort- ment of varieties distributed in a given state. 1940] ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 81 this new crop, 184 were successful in its production. The counties in which the soybeans were successfully produced were well distributed over the state, 17 being in the northern district, 32 in the central dis- trict, and 26 in the southern district, according to the horticultural divisions of the state designated by the Illinois State Horticultural Society. FIG. 1. ILLINOIS COUNTIES FROM WHICH SUCCESSFUL CULTURE OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS IN 1939 WAS REPORTED Destruction by rabbits was the chief cause of failure of the crop, the only other important cause being too late planting (Table 1). Twenty-one of the 35 failures were caused bv rabbits alone. Rabbits 82 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, thus accounted for 60 percent of the failures. Damage by rabbits was reported by 43 growers besides the 21 whose crops were de- stroyed, making a total of 64 reports of damage by rabbits. The re- ports of damage by rabbits came from 38 different counties. Enemies other than rabbits were reported by only 32 of the 232 Illinois growers who sent in written reports. These enemies included grasshoppers (the most common), Mexican bean beetles, blister beetles, leaf hoppers, aphis, root worms, foliage diseases, moles, rats, mice, and domestic animals. In only four instances were the crops destroyed by any of these enemies ; in fact, the damage was usually slight. Correspondents were requested to state which varieties produced good yields. Good yields of all four varieties in a given collection were secured by 96 of the growers. Many growers mentioned one variety as outstanding in yield. It is interesting to note that in the majority of cases one of the early varieties was mentioned as the best yielder. Giant Green, which was included in the assortments of seed sent to northern and to southern Illinois, was reported as the best-yielding variety by a number of persons in both these areas. In the southern part of the state it was able to make its principal growth before the advent of excessively hot weather, and in the north part of the state there was plenty of time for it to mature well in advance of the usual frost date. Bansei, which was also included in the assortment of seed sent to northern Illinois, was mentioned as the highest-yielding variety in various northern counties. No. 80494 was the earliest variety dis- tributed in central Illinois and was mentioned by a number of growers as the highest in yield in that region. This variety and Bansei are quite similar in type. The other variety besides Giant Green which yielded especially well in the southern part of the state was Higan, which is a late variety but which seems able to withstand the heat of that region. Of the 184 Illinois growers reporting success in the production of the vegetable-type soybeans, 142 (77.1 percent) stated that they liked the table quality of these soybeans as a green vegetable. Several others said that they did not test the soybeans in the green stage, but were enthusiastic about their table quality as a mature bean. One hundred thirty-one Illinois growers (71.2 percent) stated that they considered the vegetable-type soybean a promising crop for their respective localities. The interest of 136 (73.9 percent) of the growers in this new vegetable was attested by the fact they were saving seed from their 1939 crop for the next season's planting. 1940] ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 83 < c, rt o n ti *> c T, rt w u q^ VI 4J O rt > O /-> rt .;? E o .2 i- N -r O 'r* Ot u ^-. 4> 2 B I > -a 'o VI U O) U 'J 3 3 "5 O " M 2 O Bu *- ' J ,. "g >< y o *- **" H '<- t y, \< a o ^ 3 > 0^5 o < "u' S l H O^ OT w 8 S 4>^j= w jr u o h W u O s . C O u 5 M O O 3 !5 * H J= "2*0^ ^ c <-2"3 ^ s Sis C ^j C c u C O O, rt u Sm-bo -rt * c** c5 I ;j cjr~ SjJ2J2!2 tot-h- in QO i- -. 3 2S N SS555: a" * 1 ^ oooo e<~ .-. . . .00 .-- - ^ V o I z| g2 SS585 g2 2 .-... oo z JPJ -" M *" c Z Z 1 "" oo o -^ ft -^ -^ ~* co cc w - e * Z 7. a " ' I 832 eSeSSS 522= 2SS OX0U3 teOcD(O tOCO^ 1 ^* - .- a a 3 I -^ oo -* oo oo oo oo t- t^- 1^ r* *c tc r^ eo -co - ^ ! fOOi ., S :::::::: ::::::!::::: a . - .... -s : :::>;. i : !J i tf 1 ! I ! J e I : - ' g * el : BI : : II II U :* : ll "i ^ : 6 ; J5-" |J JJ : r-o 5 I 55 -I- 8 | &a Zccc u a -:C /; i'_" 86 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, Results of Tests in New England Along the Atlantic Coast, in Maine, Giant Green likewise seemed to be the only variety adapted to the rigorous conditions. In fact, re- ports of successful culture were centered largely on this variety; but even with this variety less than half the growers who reported good yields of green shell beans secured a crop of ripe seed. Most of the counties in Maine in which Giant Green developed to edible condition are located approximately at or above 44 north latitude. In Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont the other New England States in which Giant Green, Bansei, Fuji, and Willomi were distributed all four varieties reached edible condition and in several places all four matured seed. Performance in New York Twenty-six growers in New York State reported success in the production of vegetable-type soybeans in 1939. These growers were located in fifteen different counties scattered from the Hudson River Valley on the east to Chautauqua county on the west, and from Long Island on the south to Jefferson county on the north. In each of these fifteen counties all four varieties in Collection A matured seed crops. Good crops were procured quite generally by those reporting, in spite of extremely dry weather and attacks by rabbits. One grower reported: "When about 6 weeks old, the plants were eaten off close to the ground by rabbits and woodchucks. They grew again four times but each time were eaten off. The Fuji plants grew very fast after the latest attack about August 20, and I am enclosing two samples of the beans produced on them plentifully in such a short time." This report was received October 20, and the beans were then in prime edible condition. Results in Iowa and South Dakota Seventeen growers in Iowa reported success in the production of vegetable-type soybeans in 1939. These reports were from 16 counties widely distributed over the state. The four varieties in Collection A, Giant Green, Bansei, Fuji, and Willomi, thrived quite generally thruout Iowa, as indicated by these tests, tho Bansei was most frequently mentioned as producing high yields. There was considerable damage from rabbits, but in only one instance was the entire crop destroyed. One grower reported that the ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 87 FIG. 3. PLANTS OF THE GIANT GREEN VARIETY This early variety matured in several northern localities where other vari- eties failed. Plant at left had ample room to develop ; plant at right grew in a thick stand. (Photographed at Urbana, September 1, 1939.) 88 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, wild rabbits preferred the soybeans above all other vegetables in the garden; another mentioned that the rabbits seemed to have a prefer- ence for particular varieties, eating the young plants of Willomi most and Bansei least. Rabbits, grasshoppers, and dry weather interfered seriously in the production of the vegetable-type soybeans in South Dakota, but all four varieties in Collection A matured good crops in Union and Moody counties, in the southeastern part of the state. Performance at High Altitudes In the mountainous state of Colorado all four varieties of Collec- tion A matured seed in Denver county at an altitude of 5,200 feet and in LaPlata county at an altitude of 6,000 feet. Giant Green matured seed in Larimer county at 5,000 feet, in Delta county at 6,500 feet, and in Montezuma county at 7,000 feet. Bansei and Willomi matured seed in Huerfano county at 7,000 feet. In Idaho all four varieties matured seed in Nez Perce county at an altitude of 1,700 feet, in Owyhee county at 2,000 feet, in Canyon and Washington counties at 2,400 feet, in Elmore county at 2,500 feet, and in Twin Falls county at 3,745 feet. In some of these locations the soybeans were irrigated and in others they were not. Reported failures of the crop in Idaho were due principally to dry weather in unirrigated locations. In Montana the Giant Green matured seed in Carter county at an altitude of 3,000 feet and in Gallatin county at an altitude of 4,900 feet. It reached edible condition in Missoula county at 3,200 feet and in Lincoln county, at the extreme north edge of the state, at 1,800 feet. Lincoln county lies north of 48 north latitude. No other variety except Giant Green matured seed in the Montana tests reported. All four varieties in Collection A matured seed in Johnson county, Wyoming, at an altitude of 3,750 feet. In Campbell county, at an alti- tude of 4,630 and in Park county at 4,6*00 feet, Giant Green was the only variety to mature a seed crop. The other three varieties blossomed and set pods but did not reach edible condition before the plants were killed by frost late in September. In Converse county, at an altitude of about one mile, the soybeans did not even blossom. In San Juan county, Utah, at an altitude of 7,000 feet, the Giant Green, planted June 5, matured seed before the killing frost of autumn on October 5. In Valencia county, New Mexico, at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the Giant Green matured seed and the other three varieties of Collection A reached edible condition. 1940] ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 89 The feeling of growers in this group of cool-climate states toward the vegetable-type soybeans is indicated by the large number who re- ported that they liked the table quality of the green shell beans, that they considered the crop a promising one for their respective localities, and that they thought enough of the crop to go to the trouble of saving seed for the next season's planting (Table 2). PERFORMANCE OF VARIETIES IN COLLECTION B The vegetable-type soybeans constituting Collection B (No. 80494, Jogum, Illington and Imperial) were distributed to growers in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Nebraska, besides a few in Missouri. This was the collection also used in central Illinois, as previously mentioned. Pronounced Success in Midwest and East Indiana. The vegetable-type soybeans produced bountiful crops in Indiana in 1939, reports of successful culture being received from 23 counties, including three counties which were furnished seed other than Collection B. TABLE 3. PERFORMANCE OF FOUR SOYBEAN VARIETIES IN VARIOUS STATES, 1939 (Collection B) Conn. Ind. Mo. Nebr. N.J. Ohio Pa. Total Percent Number of reports 5 25 5 15 12 29 35 126 Success with crop 5 21 4 4 9 21 27 91 72.2 Good yields 80494 3 19 4 2 9 20 19 76 83.5 Jogun 2 16 4 3 8 18 20 71 78.0 Illington 2 14 4 4 7 15 17 63 69.2 Imperial 3 12 4 2 7 14 19 61 67.0 Liked table quality 3 15 3 2 7 14 20 64 70.3 Considered promising 3 15 4 3 5 18 18 66 72.5 Saving seed 2 18 2 3 8 20 23 76 83.5 In many localities in Indiana all the varieties planted did well, but the variety attracting most attention from the standpoint of yield was No. 80494. This variety was mentioned by 19 growers as producing good yields (Table 3), and was singled out as the highest-yielding variety in each of nine counties, some of which were in the extreme southern part of the state and others well to the north. Rabbits and woodchucks interfered somewhat with the production of the soybeans in Indiana, and were responsible for three- fourths of 90 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, ON llo HBO eo NCOOCO> :GETABLE- M C9 .^i -to -~- O ^> co >U _, O 1O z ^ s s j] H 05 5 <| 00 M .^. 00- -" -0>0 .2 09 5 S n z i Js O -O OO N oo Q J z 6 bf a M D d U, E OK i U R T. Id 1 3 ::::_:::: : ; "s ^sl|j : |'l ; lp g s : | . zl * FZ-S !. Jpg 83-1 1 S 5 b-sl o llJi ||8 C-2 m _ ' ' S, $ 8 -^3 03 UllJiK! 1 - |iiiil2llii | 5 1940] ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 91 the reported failures (Table 4). Dry weather did not seem to inter- fere with the crop in most Indiana localities. One grower in Harrison county, in the extreme southern part of the state, reported: "Our season was so dry here that the usual beans failed to produce any- where near a normal crop. I do not see how these soybeans could have produced more even if the weather had been more favorable." A grower in War rick county, also in the extreme southern part of the state, reported that he planted the soybeans June 15 as a second crop following garden peas, and that all varieties matured before killing frost, which was about November 1. Ohio. In Ohio successful culture of the soybeans was reported from 23 counties, including 4 counties receiving seed other than Col- lection B. The counties were distributed over the state from north to south and east to west. A grower in Warren county reported: "We planted them [the soybeans] right along side of other beans ; the beetle [presumably Mexican bean beetle] completely destroyed the other beans and did not touch the soybeans." The horticulturist in charge of a school garden in Cleveland reported : "We were so well satisfied with the soybeans that we are going to use them on school gardens next year. On this tract of five acres 300 children will use them as an additional vegetable next year." Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania also successful culture of the soybeans was reported from 23 counties distributed well over the state from east to west and from north to south. Most of the reports were from growers who had planted the varieties contained in collec- tion B, tho 3 counties were included to which other varieties had been sent. Altho the season was very dry in some localities, good yields were produced. Rabbits attacked the crop in many localities and were responsible for fully half the reported failures. Mexican bean beetles and Japanese beetles were mentioned by a number of growers, but in most cases no serious damage was done. Characteristic reports were: "Bean beetles and Japanese beetles attacked the soybeans very mildly but ruined our limas and green beans." "Japanese beetles seemed to like the foliage, but did no serious damage. Mexican bean beetles destroyed Henderson (bush lima) crop planted next to soybeans, while the soybeans showed little if any effect of their attack." New Jersey. Nine growers in New Jersey reported success in the production of vegetable-type soybeans. Dry weather did not seem to affect the growth. Japanese beetles were reported as attacking the crop quite generally, but in no case reported was the crop destroyed by these insects. 92 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, FIG. 4. PLANTS OF THE BANSEI VARIETY This variety has produced exceptionally well in northern Illinois, Iowa, and other localities with similar climates. It is said to be especially adapted to the manufacture of soybean milk, and has also proved a good canning variety. Plant at left had ample room to develop; plant at right grew in a thick stand. (Photo- graphed at Urbana, September 12, 1939.) 1940] ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 93 Connecticut. Only five reports were received from Connecticut, but all these indicated successful production of the crop. Trouble With Grasshoppers in Nebraska Out on the plains of Nebraska grasshoppers and dry_weather in- terfered very seriously with the production of the vegetable-type soy- beans. Of 20 reports from this state only 8 indicated success with the crop (Tables 2 and 3). Counties in which the soybeans were success- fully grown were chiefly in the eastern third of the state. PERFORMANCE OF VARIETIES IN COLLECTION C The varieties included in Collection C (Giant Green, No. 80490-1, Emperor, and Higan) were considered adapted to climates somewhat warmer than the corn belt, and were distributed in response to re- quests from Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland, Vir- ginia, West Virginia, and California. A few growers in Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina were also sent these varieties before arrangements were made for them to be fur- nished with more distinctly southern varieties. Rabbits and Dry Weather Curtailed Kansas Crop In Kansas reports of successful culture of the vegetable-type soybeans were received from a total of 18 counties. Most of these counties were in the eastern third of the state. Rabbits and dry weather were the principal causes of failure reported, including failure to plant the seed on account of insufficient moisture to secure germi- nation (Table 4). Many growers reported good yields in spite of hot. dry weather (Table 5). Giant Green performed especially well in Kansas, and in several in- stances was the heaviest yielder, by reason of reaching edible condition before the hottest weather arrived. The late variety, Higan, was re- ported the heaviest yielder in certain localities, tho in some other places it was said to have been affected by the dry weather and hot winds. Probably the difference was due to the stage of development of the beans in the different localities at the time the hot weather arrived. In general, Emperor seemed less able to thrive under Kansas conditions than the other three varieties. The adaptation of the soybeans to even Kansas conditions is il- lustrated by certain comments of growers. A grower in Shawnee county reported: 94 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, TABLE 5. PERFORMANCE OF FOUR SOYBEAN VARIETIES IN VARIOUS STATES, 1939 (Collection C) Ark. Calif. Ga. Kans. Ky. Md. Mo. N.C. S.C. Tenn. Tex. Va. W.Va. Total Perct. Number of reports... 6 23 5 35 6 8 37 3 3 10 3 7 10 156 . Success with crop.... 4 15 5 21 5 7 32 3 3 8 2 6 10 121 77.5 Good yields Giant Green 3 7 >, 15 5 7 24 2 2 8 2 4 5 87 71.0 80490-1 3 6 4 12 5 5 21 2 2 6 4 5 75 61.9 Emperor 2 7 3 g 5 6 23 2 2 4 5 5 72 59.5 Higan 2 g 4 13 5 6 26 2 2 5 1 6 6 86 71.0 Liked table quality . . 4 Considered promising 3 Saving seed 3 6 5 7 '3 3 14 11 19 3 3 5 7 7 7 20 2 23 2 24 2 1 2 2 6 5 6 1 4 1 5 1 5 4 5 6 72 59.5 75 61.9 90 74.4 "The soys stood the high temperature, up to 109 with strong south wind, in good shape. Planted May 6, Giant Green was picked for table use August 2." A Wyandotte county grower made the comment: "The soybeans are ready to eat when the dry weather has finished the string beans." Successful Thruout Most of Missouri Successful culture of vegetable-type soybeans was reported from 35 Missouri counties in 1939. These counties were well distributed over the central, eastern, and southern parts of the state but were not so numerous in the northwest portion. The performance of the different varieties in Collection B in Mis- souri was quite similar to their performance in eastern Kansas. In several instances Giant Green produced the largest yield, while in other localities Higan was the most productive. Rabbits and grasshoppers were the most prominent enemies in Missouri, but only in a relatively small number of cases did they destroy the crop. Dry weather was a less severe handicap than in Kansas. One grower reported: "These soybeans made and matured their crop without any rain after plant- ing." Another reported: "Soybeans outyielded all other crops in the garden." However, in some localities, pods on the late varieties dried up without maturing properly. Central and Eastern States Bordering South Only six reports were received from Kentucky, but five of these indicated successful production of all four varieties in Collection C. Three growers reported as follows: "All varieties yielded enormously." 1940~\ ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 95 "I consider them a promising bean because we can hardly raise snap beans anymore on account of Mexican bean beetles. The season was dry and most garden crops were failures, yet the soybeans made fair crops." "The season was very dry, with practically no rain for two months. We failed almost completely with string and lima beans but came thru with the soys." In Tennessee, Giant Green was the most consistent producer. Higan yielded well in certain localities, but in others was severely affected by late drouth. Emperor seemed the least adapted of the four varieties to conditions in this state. One grower planted snap beans and soy- beans side by side the same day. Mexican bean beetles "ruined the snap beans but did not bother the soybeans at all." One grower re- ported that he was planning to introduce soybeans on the Nashville produce market next year. Very favorable reports of performance of the varieties in Collec- tion C were received from Maryland. Giant Green was mentioned as most drouth-resistant. Mexican bean beetles were reported as abundant in the localities where the soybeans were grown, but doing no damage whatever to the soybeans. All but one report from Virginia indicated success with the soybean crop. Higan was the most consistent producer. One grower com- mented, "The soybeans afford another fresh vegetable in September and October, when another fresh one is appreciated." From Madison county came the report, "I planted about May 1 in garden between snap beans and lima beans, and bean bugs [presumably Mexican bean beetles] ate up limas and snap beans, but did not bother the soybeans." All reports received from West Virginia indicated success with the crop, tho not in all cases were large yields secured. However, one grower reported a yield of 645 seeds (363 pods) from one plant of the Emperor variety. The following comment came from Tyler county: "Consider edible soys a blessing for poor rural population as they will never be destroyed by Mexican bean beetles altho they do attack them to some extent, and they will produce on poor hill land." The Farm Security Administration, Morgantown, which had been furnished a quantity of soybean seed for distribution, reported as follows: "The reports from families who tried the edible soybeans have been grati- fying indeed We believe that in a short while soybeans for the table will be commonly grown thruout West Virginia." Results of Tests in Southern States Comparatively few samples of soybean seed were sent from Urbana to growers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, and 96 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, Texas. However, several reports indicating successful culture were received from these states, even tho the varieties sent (Collection C), with the possible exception of Higan, are not generally considered well adapted to southern conditions. Least success, compared with number of reports, was attained in Arkansas and Texas. Dry weather in- terfered with the crop in these two states, and rabbits also caused some trouble in Arkansas. However, especially good results were re- ported from Faulkner county, Arkansas, and Tarrant county, Texas. From one North Carolina grower came the report: "All varieties produced good yields, but the Emperor and Higan were more prolific than the others [Giant Green and No. 80490-1] and made a larger growth about 24 inches high. Each matured in succession just right and the latest are getting dry now [September 10], two months before average first frost I believe they are almost a sure crop and fine to fall back on if others fail." Another North Carolina grower said: "In spite of late planting, poor location, dry weather and lack of care, they grew well and gave good yields." One report from South Carolina said: "Giant Green did especially well." Another report from the same state said: "All did well, but Higan was ahead in yield." From White county, in the highlands of northern Georgia, came the report: "They yielded wonderfully down here." Good yields from all four varieties were likewise secured in Meriwether and Jenkins counties, which are farther south and at much lower elevations. Performance in California and Arizona The vegetable-type soybeans were successfully grown in eleven California counties, distributed from Tehama on the north to San Diego on the south, and including both interior and coast regions, tho in some localities difficulty was experienced in growing the crop close to the ocean. For the most part, the crops were grown under irrigation. One grower in Ventura county commented: "They [vegetable-type soybeans] are now our favorite vegetable for fall, and I only wish they were a year-round crop." At the Agricultural Experiment Station at Tucson, Arizona, eight varieties of vegetable-type soybeans, selected from Collections A, B, and C, were grown under irrigation at an elevation of 2,400 feet. Planted June 12, all the varieties made satisfactory yields, Illington, No. 80490-1, and Emperor being especially prolific. 1940] ADAITATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 97 PERFORMANCE IN CANADA AND OTHER OUTLYING REGIONS Tests of Early Varieties in Canada At St. George, Ontario, Giant Green, Bansei, Fuji, and Willomi all matured seed before killing frost, which occurred October 21. All these varieties yielded good crops, but Bansei was the best producer. At the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, where a number of varieties were tested, only Giant Green matured seed before frost, which occurred on September 24. The only other variety to reach edible maturity was No. 80494. At Barrington Passage, Nova Scotia, Giant Green did not do well. Fuji was the only variety which produced pods before the frost on September 19. At Bogot, Manitoba, 75 miles north of the international boundary, only Giant Green matured seed before the frost on September 25, tho Fuji had reached edible condition. "The Giant Green is apparently the only variety [of the four in Collection A] early enough for this locality." At Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the season was evidently too cool for the soybeans. Altho planted May 4, "not any of the varieties had any beans on as yet," when the report was made September 29. In British Columbia, Giant Green, Fuji, and Willomi reached edible condition in Sea Island county, but none matured seed, even tho killing frost did not occur until November 3. Heavy yields of Giant Green and Willomi were produced. At Westminster, in the same province, Giant Green matured a good crop of seed but was the only variety to reach edible condition. The other three varieties "were only just starting to form pods when the fall rains started and they began to shed their leaves." Results in Three Remote Regions An attempt was made to grow the vegetable-type soybeans at Grand Falls, Newfoundland (latitude approximately 49 north). Cold weather delayed planting until June. The plants made a luxuriant growth but had not yet blossomed when killed by frost on August 26. Contrasted with the conditions in Newfoundland are those in Chihuahua, Mexico, where even at an elevation of 6,000 feet, the usual temperature in the sun gets as high as 120 F. during the late spring and summer months. The 1939 season was very dry as well as hot, and none of the varieties developed seed. In Honolulu, Hawaii, all four varieties Giant Green, 80490-1, 98 BULLETIN No. 471 [December, Emperor and Higan yielded very well, tho the plants grew only 12 to 14 inches high. ACCEPTABILITY OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS Each person to whom seed was furnished was asked to report how he liked the soybeans served as a green vegetable, whether he con- sidered them a promising vegetable for his locality, and whether he was saving seed for the next season's planting. It was thought that answers to these three questions would shed considerable light upon the acceptability of this vegetable from a personal standpoint and its adaptability to a given locality. Data by states on these three points are given in Tables 1 to 5. A summary is given in Table 6. Nearly 70 percent of those who reported successful production of the soybeans stated that they liked them served as a green vegetable, and a great many were extremely enthusiastic about them. Some who did not have a very large crop refrained from eating any of the beans but saved them all for seed. This partly accounts for the fact that more people saved seed than reported that they liked the green beans. Some reserved judgment regarding adaptation to their respective localities pending further tests ; hence the somewhat lower number of positive reports on this point. More than 78 percent of the growers reported that they were saving seed for subsequent planting. DEMAND FOR SEED Interest in the vegetable-type soybeans is further attested by the large number of requests for seed or information regarding seed sources received since the close of the 1939 season. Many reports TABLE 6. SUMMARY OF REPORTS ON VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS, SHOWING SUCCESS WITH CROP AND ATTITUDE OF GROWERS, 1939 Number Percentages 111. Other states ABC Total 111. Other states ABC Aver. 232 265 126 156 779 Success with crop 184 218 91 121 614 79.3 82.2 72.2 77. S 78.8 Liked table quality 142 145 64 72 423 77.1 66.5 70.3 59.5 68.8 131 138 66 75 410 71.2 63.3 72.5 61.9 66.7 Saved seed . 136 168 76 90 470 73.9 77.0 83.5 74.4 76.5 The 12 reports from foreign countries are not included in this summary; neither are the 19 reports from isolated localities or those made on irregular assortments of seed. See footnote, page 80. I94ff\ ADAPTATION OF VEGETABLE-TYPE SOYBEANS 99 from those who received seed in the spring of 1939 were accompanied by requests regarding seed for 1940. Part of these were from persons who met with crop failure and desired to try again, part from those who liked the green beans so well that they ate them all, and part from those who saved some seed but desired more. There were also many requests for information regarding seed sources from persons who had not previously been furnished seed but who had read about this new vegetable and desired to try it. It was found necessary to prepare a mimeographed sheet, listing varieties of vegetable-type soybean seed available for 1940 spring planting and firms prepared to supply them. This sheet was used in answering all inquiries regarding vegetable-type soybean seed during the spring of 1940. PLACE IN VEGETABLE INDUSTRY For home gardens in Illinois and other states with similar climates, the vegetable-type soybean is one of the most reliable of vegetables and can be depended upon to produce a crop even under rather adverse conditions except in localities where rabbits or grasshoppers are too abundant. Furthermore, the crop is available for use as a green vege- table at a season of the year when other garden crops on the farm are likely not to be abundant. By planting three or four varieties maturing at different times, a continuous supply of green shell beans can be had for a period of five or six weeks ; in some seasons and some localities the period may be even longer. For commercial canning in localities where green peas are regularly canned, and hence where equipment for shelling (vining) the green soybeans is available, the vegetable-type soybean constitutes an ad- ditional cannery crop available for processing at a season when the pea-canning equipment might otherwise be idle. In a few localities canning of the soybeans on a commercial basis has already been ac- complished. " The mature soybeans of the vegetable type also offer great possibilities for canning after soaking, the same as navy beans and red kidney beans are handled, and may eventually become a standard source of high-protein food. Preservation of the green shell soybeans by the quick freezing process has been highly successful in an experimental way, and the product has been so satisfactory in color, texture, and flavor that this method of making the vegetable-type soybeans available for winter use holds much promise. As a stored dry bean the vegetable-type soybean may be made avail- 100 BULLETIN No. 471 able at any time during the winter, and constitutes a highly concen- trated protein food. It serves the same purposes as the navy bean and is better adapted to production in certain localities than that bean. Specialty products of many kinds are being manufactured from different varieties of the vegetable-type soybean; and as larger supplies of these soybeans become available, it is probable that such uses will be greatly extended. The chief complaints that have been raised against the vegetable- type soybeans are the difficulty encountered in hand-shelling the green beans and the readiness with which the mature beans shatter from the pods. This contrast in shelling qualities of the green and the ripe beans presents a problem which challenges the ingenuity and skill of the plant breeder. A breeding program covering these and various other points of importance in the growing and using of vegetable- type soybeans was inaugurated at the Illinois Station in the spring of 1940. SUMMARY Reports received from 810 persons to whom samples of vegetable- type soybean seed were sent in the spring of 1939 indicate the wide range of adaptation of this new vegetable. Successful production was reported from Maine to the Pacific Coast, and from near sea level to an altitude of 8,000 feet. Early varieties proved to be the best producers in most localities and were the only ones well-adapted to northern regions. Rabbits were the most prevalent enemy of the crop, tho grass- hoppers were serious in certain localities. Dry weather interfered with the proper development of the crop in some places ; but many reports indicate the ability of the vegetable- type soybean to withstand extreme drouth. About 70 percent of the persons reporting success in the produc- tion of the crop were well pleased with the table quality of the soybeans. This new vegetable is worthy of extensive trial. 6M 12-40 19340 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA