Nutritional Value of Soybean under Outdoor Hydroponics and Soil Conditions of the Ararat Valley

Background: Population growth increases the demand for food all over the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, by 2050 the world population will reach 9.1 billion people, for whom food production is expected to increase by 25-70 %. That will lead to an increase in the demand for alternative farming technologies allowing us to ensure higher yields in less time. One such alternative and highly profitable plant growing technology is soilless culture or hydroponics. Climate change, improved technological capabilities, and need to increase self-sufficiency are good reasons for the introduction of soybean in Armenia.Soy, as one of the richest and cheapest sources of protein, plays an important role in the diet of people in many countries. The seed of soybeans contains 17 % oil and about 50 % protein. Because soybeans contain no starch, they are a good source of protein for diabetics.Objective: To establish the possibility and efficiency of soybean cultivation in Ararat Valley by traditional agricultural method and by the regulated hydroponic system and to investigate the nutritional value of soybean seeds.Results: The cultivation method had some influence on soybean yield and on the biosynthesis of several nutritional components. Thus, soilless culture conditions contributed to the increase in soybean yield: the weight of seeds obtained from one plant was 38.7 g while in the soil it was only 19.9 g. Soil plants were distinguished by the maximum accumulation of fat (28.9 %), while hydroponic ones by the maximum content of protein (31.5 %) and sugar (6.3 %).Conclusion: The obtained results established the effectiveness of soybean cultivation in Armenia. The regulated hydroponic method ensures obtaining about 11.6 tons ha-1 of soybean seeds, 3.7 tons ha-1 of protein and 2.6 tons ha-1 of fat. The work was supported by the Science Committee of the Republic of Armenia, in the frames of the research project N 21T-4B167.Keywords: Glycine max (L.) Merr., soilless culture, proteins, fats, sugars