Guanyun Soybeans

Guanyun Soybeans

　　Guanyun soybeans are a major and high-quality crop in Guanyun County, boasting a long production history. The saying “Guanyun soybeans, the king of soybeans” is well known across China. According to the *Guanyun County Science and Technology Annals*, “In 1917, soybeans were already exported to seven countries including the United States and the United Kingdom”; the *Annals of Chinese Industries* state that “in December 1932, Guanyun County exported 15,000 dan of soybeans.” In order to strengthen the breeding of high-quality soybean varieties, the Guanyun County Soybean Foundation Seed Farm was established in 1961. It has since developed 17 new varieties of Guanyun soybeans, including Soft Stalk Branch, Guanyun Large White Flower, 58-161, Guandou No. 1, Guanyuan No. 1, and 74-5-31, making significant contributions to the advancement of the soybean economy. Notably, the farm’s 1963 gift of 30 kilograms of Soft Stalk Branch foundation seeds to North Korea has become a celebrated story.

　　 Guanyun County is located in the coastal region of southern Huang-Huai, south of the Yimeng Mountains, between 119°2′50″–119°52′9″ east longitude and 34°11′45″–34°38′50″ north latitude. The area is characterized by abundant sunlight and plentiful rainfall, especially during late July to early September—the crucial period when soybeans flower, form pods, and fill their seeds. This time sees high solar energy and heavy precipitation, conditions favorable for pod development and seed filling. The resulting soybeans contain large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, multiple trace elements, vitamins, and high-quality protein. Therefore, soybeans grown in this region—of the same variety as elsewhere—yield both higher production and superior quality.

　　 Guanyun soybeans are among the most nutritious varieties of soybeans, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, multiple trace elements, vitamins, and high-quality protein. Processed soybeans can be made into a wide variety of soy products, making them beneficial foods for people with cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and heart disease. Guanyun soybeans are high in protein and contain a full range of amino acids, especially rich in lysine, which compensates for the deficiency of this amino acid in cereal grains. As a result, people often combine grains with soybeans in their diet to achieve complementary proteins.