An innovative approach for the assessment of Bulgarian soybean cultivars

The evaluation of climate plasticity and content of free amino acids, sugars and fatty acids in Bulgarian soybean cultivars were used as an innovative approach. The field performance, expression and metabolomic profiles of leaves, green seeds and mature seeds of plants grown from low temperature pre-treated and not-treated seeds were assessed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The data from the morphological indicators, expression profiles and content of metabolites confirmed that the plants grown from low temperature pre-treated seeds had better performance. The expression profiles correlated with the content of amino acids and sugars. Inclusion of extruded full-fat soybean from cvs. Srebrina and Richy in the compound feed for pigs and soybean cake obtained after cold pressed soybeans of cv. Srebrina in compound feed for laying hens were investigated. The results confirmed that extruded full-fat soybean cv. Srebrina could be successfully included in the protein component of feed for growing pigs at a rate of 50% of soybean meal in protein equivalent. Extruded full-fat soybean cv. Richy in the amount of 30% of the protein component of the ration, in protein equivalent of the compound feed for the period of fattening of pigs could be included. The results confirmed that feed for laying hens, in which 50% of imported soybean meal is replaced by soybean cake produced from locally grown soybean, could increase the content of free amino and fatty acids of the final product and benefit the quality of eggs. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2021.1954092 .