Amara Zafar1*, Bushra Sadia2, Imshal Azam2, Muhammad Arslan Khalil2, Zakia Perveen1, Areeka Batool2, Muhammad Asif2, Rabia Ameen2 and Saleha Tahir3
1Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan; 2Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan; 3Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan
*Corresponding author: amarazafar75@gmil.com
The legume crop soybean (Glycine max) functions as an essential plant throughout worldwide markets because it produces abundant protein at 36–40% protein content and oil at 18–20% oil content, which serves human diets and animal feed alongside industrial needs. Soybeans deliver nutritional value to humans, but this value is reduced because of the presence of anti-nutritional factors like trypsin inhibitors, lectins, and phytic acid. The bioactive components of soybeans, named isoflavones, contribute health advantages to human systems through the prevention of cancer, along with protection against heart disease. Soybean displays various growth forms and responds strongly to light duration and environmental heat, thus determining where it can effectively grow within different geographic areas. According to estimates for 2023–2024, the world produced 399.5 million metric tons of soybeans, where Brazil led as the top producer and sharing the lead with the United States, followed by Argentina and China. Brazil's soybean crop will experience a predicted 30% production reduction by 2050 due to climate change. Soybean Mosaic Virus, together with whitefly, along with environmental hazards, lead to significant productivity issues in regions such as Pakistan, which faces difficulties in soybean cultivation even though it has high demand for poultry feed. Soybean's nutritional value and production statistics undergo evaluation while solving anti-nutritional factors, and worldwide cultivation patterns and essential limitations need new stress resistant variety development along with sustainable farming practices for future food security.