Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affect the overall agriculture and food supply. Edamame, also called vegetable soybean is an import vegetable in the world, especially in the East Asia. China is the world’s centre for vegetable soybean production. Edamame beans are harvested before full maturity when bean pods are green and just before turning to yellow colour. Most cultivated varieties in the world are of Japanese origin. The aim of this literature survey is to give a review on history and consumption facts of edamame, as well as on the yield and quality parameters of this fresh commodity. Monographic method has been used for this review. Edamame has a high nutritional and medical value. Composition of biologically active compounds in edamame plants is dependent on climate conditions, seasonal changes, cultivar properties and maturity stage. Vegetable soybean has a long cultivation history in the world. In Europe edamame is grown, but in Latvia edamame has not been grown until now, but there is some experience in soya grain growing. Pod colour is the main external quality factor of edamame. It can be influenced by light, moisture, fertilization, variety properties, planting density and harvesting procedures. Vegetation period for edamame in most cases is reported to be between 75 and 100 days. Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affect the overall agriculture and food supply. Edamame, also called vegetable soybean is an import vegetable in the world, especially in the East Asia. China is the world’s centre for vegetable soybean production. Edamame beans are harvested before full maturity when bean pods are green and just before turning to yellow colour. Most cultivated varieties in the world are of Japanese origin. The aim of this literature survey is to give a review on history and consumption facts of edamame, as well as on the yield and quality parameters of this fresh commodity. Monographic method has been used for this review. Edamame has a high nutritional and medical value. Composition of biologically active compounds in edamame plants is dependent on climate conditions, seasonal changes, cultivar properties and maturity stage. Vegetable soybean has a long cultivation history in the world. In Europe edamame is grown, but in Latvia edamame has not been grown until now, but there is some experience in soya grain growing. Pod colour is the main external quality factor of edamame. It can be influenced by light, moisture, fertilization, variety properties, planting density and harvesting procedures. Vegetation period for edamame in most cases is reported to be between 75 and 100 days.

The broadbean seed beetle (Bruchus rufimanus) is a significant pest of faba bean (Vicia faba) both in Latvia and in many other parts of the world. The objective of this study was to check the susceptibility of the faba bean variety ‘Merkurʼ to the broadbean seed beetle in Latvia, comparing it with other popular varieties: ‘Boxerʼ and ‘Lauraʼ. The trials were conducted in 2021 and 2022 at the Research and Study Farm ‘Peterlaukiʼ in Jelgava County and at a commercial farm in Cēsis County. The larval infestation rate of seeds of different varieties, the survival rate of individuals (larvae, pupae, imagines) in the seeds, as well as the percentage of seeds damaged by the pest in the yield were compared. It was observed that ‘Merkurʼ seeds were significantly less infested than ‘Boxerʼ and ‘Lauraʼ seeds. However, the survival rate of larvae in the seeds of ‘Merkurʼ was similar to that in ‘Lauraʼ seeds and higher than in ‘Boxerʼ seeds. The highest proportion of seeds damaged by the pest was found in the ‘Merkurʼ and ‘Boxerʼ yields, varying between 5–75% between years and trial locations. Therefore, it was concluded that the variety ‘Merkurʼ, evaluated from a practical point of view, does not differ from the other two varieties. Without taking additional plant protection measures, the percentage of seeds damaged by the broadbean seed beetle can significantly exceed the maximum limit (3%) specified in the buyersʼ quality criteria.