Influence of Number of Days from Planting to Harvest on Growth, Development, Stage of Maturity and Nutritional Value of Three Vegetable Soybean Cultivars in Zimbabwe

A study was carried out in the 2008/09 season at Rattray Arnold Research Station in Zimbabwe, to determine the optimum days to harvest for three vegetable soybean varieties, SC Edamame 1, Santa, and Siesta. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design with three replicates. Harvesting was done at the recommended R6 stage of maturity for fresh pods and R8 stage for dry seed. There were significant differenced (P<0.05) among cultivars in the number of days after planting to harvest. The only cultivar with acceptable seed and pod dimensions for use as vegetable soybean was SC Edamame 1. There were significant differences (P<0.05) for plant height and above ground biomass. All three cultivars were found to be well adapted to the environment at Rattray Arnos Research Station. The cultivar, SC Edamame 1 matured earlier in 70 days from planting. There were significant differences among cultivars (p<0.05) for seed crude protein and oil contents at maturity stage R6. . There were significant differences in 100 seed width among cultivars (P<0.005) at both the R6 and R8 stages. Cultivar effect for both pod length and width were also significant (P<0.05). Only one cultivar, Edamame 1, had acceptable pod dimensions for use as a vegetable soybean.