Soybean cultivation in lowlands and highlands: production parameters, quality and technological properties of...

Soybean is a legume with high nutritional and functional value, rich in proteins, lipids and vitamins. Protein concentrates represent promising alternatives to animal proteins and their technological properties can be affected by the cultivation system. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two distinct cultivation systems and environments - lowland and highland soils - on the agronomic performance and quality parameters of grains and their protein concentrates across three soybean genotypes.

Differences were observed among genotypes regarding plant height, with no significant influence of the cultivation system at stage V6; however, at stage R4, variations were noted. The chemical composition varied among genotypes, with BRS 257 exhibiting the highest protein content (428.4 g kg^-1) in lowland soils. Productivity was higher in two genotypes cultivated in highland soils. On average, the cooking time of grains produced in highlands was shorter (66 min) compared to those produced in lowlands (75 min). In concentrates with at least 800.0 g kg^-1 protein, the oil absorption capacity and emulsion behavior were not influenced by the cultivation system; however, water absorption was higher (6640 g kg^-1) in genotypes grown in lowlands. Foam formation and stability in soybeans produced in lowlands showed the highest volumes, which decreased over time but remained superior, except for BMX Delta IPRO.

The genotypes demonstrated satisfactory agronomic performance, exhibiting adequate potential for both crop ecosystems and promising technological properties for industrial applications, with adaptability to both systems. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.