Physico-Chemical Properties of Immature Pods of Japanese Soybean Cultivars

Twelve Japanese cultivars and JS335, the most popular soybean cultivar in India, were grown in the field. Days to arrival of R6 stage (when pods are still green, immature, and tight with fully developed immature green seeds) of these cultivars were recorded. Pods picked at this stage were evaluated for pod yield per plant, pod characteristics (width, presence of hairs) fresh green seed weight and percent moisture content. Fresh green seeds were analyzed for compositional traits viz. protein content, trypsin inhibitor lipoxygenase isozymes, oil content, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (essential fatty acids). Japanese cultivars showed higher fresh green seed weight and pod yield than JS335. On a fresh weight basis, Japanese cultivars exhibited lower protein content but higher oil content than JS335. Most of the Japanese cultivars showed lower trypsin inhibitor content and a varying level of lipoxygenase-I, as well as lipoxygenase-II + III when compared to JS335. Total polyunsaturated fatty acids content in JS335 was higher than some of the Japanese cultivars. The number of pods per plant showed a positive correlation (r = 0.863, p < 0.001) with pod yield per plant. Some of the Japanese cultivars offer great potential for consumption at the green pod stage or as a source for desirable traits.