Drought is an important yield-reducing factor for corn and soya bean which are the two major crops in the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia (Delmarva) region of the United States. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is primarily grown in drier regions of the world where it is one of the most drought-resistant food legumes. Field experiments were conducted in which 10 genetically diverse cowpea genotypes were evaluated for adaptability to the Delmarva area. The cowpea genotypes were grown in rain-out shelters under non-water-stressed and water-stressed conditions. The results showed that under non-water-stressed conditions cowpea genotypes California Blackeye 5, Champion and Mississippi Silver gave higher seed yields, while genotypes White Acre, Six Week Browneye and Texas Cream 8 provided lower seed yields. Genotypes California Blackeye 5 and Champion gave comparatively better seed yields under water-stressed conditions. California Blackeye 5 was the highest seed-yielding genotype under both waterstressed and non-water-stressed conditions. The highest biological yield under non-water-stressed conditions was given by genotypes Two Crop Brown, White Acre and Elite, whereas under the water-stressed condition genotypes Texas Cream 8, California Blackeye 5, and Mississippi Silver gave higher biological yield. Genotypes Quickpick Pinkeye and Elite were identified as early maturing genotypes. The harvest index (HI) varied significantly among genotypes, with Texas Cream 8 having the lowest HI. Cowpea genotypes which gave higher seed yield under water-stressed conditions could play an important role in sustaining crop production in the Delmarva region.

both in the national and international markets (Carter and Wilson, 1998;Boerma and Mian, 1998). Soyfoods Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], an important component of have been reported to provide protection against heart the Asian diet, is gaining popularity as a source of vegetable protein and phytochemicals in the USA. However, soybean cultivars with disease, cancer, menopausal symptoms, and other disdesirable agronomic traits and biochemical components that enhance eases (Carter and Wilson, 1998; Messina and Messina, the quality of soyfoods have not been identified for cultivation in the 1991). Because of the nutraceutical value of soybean, USA. Twelve soybean genotypes, including three from Japan, were there is a growing demand for soyfoods, such as soymilk, evaluated for their agronomic performance, genotype ϫ environment several types of tofu, soybean sprouts, and soynuts. Soy-(GE) interactions, and yield stability at four locations in the USA food sales in the USA have been growing steadily at a from 1994 to 1997. At maturity, seed yield, biomass, harvest index rate of 10 to 25% yr Ϫ1 (Kuhn, 1996) and exceeded $600 (HI), and 100-seed dry weight were determined using plants harvested million in 1998. About 9 to 10 million t of soybean seed from the middle two rows of each plot. Genotypic differences for the are imported into Asia for manufacturing soyfoods and traits examined were significant. The mean seed yield across locations for oil extraction. Tofu, a cottage cheese-like soybean and years ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 Mg ha Ϫ1 . The Japanese cultivars had larger seeds but were outyielded by the American genotypes by ≈10% curd, has high nutritional value and is rich in proteins, and up to 35% by 'Hutcheson'. The genotype effects were significantly vitamins, and minerals, particularly Ca. Tofu consumplarger than the location ϫ year effects for plant height, seed weight, tion is growing at an annual rate of 20% in the USA and HI, but not for biomass or seed yield. Biomass and HI were and among health-conscious people around the world important determinants of seed yield. S90-1056, V81-1603, V71-370, (Carter and Wilson, 1998). Thus, the increasing market 'Enrei', 'Nakasennari', 'Ware', and 'York' were stable for seed weight for soyfoods and health benefits associated with them across years. Hutcheson, S90-1056, York, MD86-5788, Nakasennari, indicate the economic potential and emphasize the need and BARC-8 showed yield stability across environments and years.for the identification and development of high-yielding S90-1056, York, and Nakasennari were stable for both seed weight and U.S. soybean cultivars suitable for food processing and seed yield; therefore, they could be used for commercial production in human consumption. the USA or for breeding soybean cultivars suitable for tofu preparation.

Soyfoods are becoming popular among American consumers because of potential health benefits. However, specific information about the kind of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Men.] seed desirable for soyfoods preparation is limited. The objectives of this study were to compare soymilk and tofu prepared from 12 soybean genotypes grown at four locations in the southern USA during 1995 to identify genotypes suitable for soymilk and tofu manufacture and to determine effects of seed traits on yield and quality of soymilk and tofu. Location effects were significant only for soymilk solids and tofu strength. Soymilk yield with a mean value of 5.1 mL g−1 seed was not affected by soybean genotype. Significant genotypic effects were observed on tofu yield, which varied from 0.82 to 0.91 g mL−1 of soymilk. Tofu yield was significantly correlated to seed size (+0.31), seed oil (+0.74), rate of water absorption after 1 and 16 h of soaking (+0.38 and +0.56, respectively), and seed protein (−0.82). Seed protein content, seed size, and soymilk solids were significant determinants of tofu yield (R2 = 0.80). Two variables, soymilk index (SI) and tofu index (TI), were calculated to compare overall suitability of soybean genotypes for soymilk and tofu production. SI was calculated by summing yield, total solids, protein content, and whiteness index of soymilk. TI was calculated by summing yield, protein, whiteness index, and strength of tofu. Seed oil content and size were significant determinants of SI (R2 = 0.41), whereas soymilk color, seed size, and seed protein content were significant determinants of TI (R2 = 0.52). The SI and TI values indicated BARC‐9 to be a desirable genotypes for soymilk and for tofu preparation.

No abstract

No abstract