History of Natto and Its Relatives (1405-2012 - SoyInfo Center

The present expansion of soybeans in Nigeria has
been founded on years of research. In the mid-1960s, the
Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) started a breeding
programme for soybean and in 1983 initiated the release of
two lines from a cross between Malayan and Clemson Nonshattering.
In 1980, soybean scientists in Nigeria adopted a
nationally coordinated approach to soybean research that was
subsequently endorsed by the federal government.
Four major research institutes–the Institute of
Agricultural Research and Training, the National Cereals
Research Institute, IAR and IITA–carry out the bulk of
Nigeria’s soybean research. The coordinated research
projects have been reported elsewhere by Oyekan.
Note: This document contains the earliest date seen for
soybeans in Nigeria (1908). Unfortunately the source of the
information is not cited.
Zaire: Like Nigeria, Zaire has a history of soybean
production by indigenous farmers. Soybeans were introduced
and promoted fi rst by missionaries before the nation won
independence, and they are now considered a medicinal food
to prevent and cure the wasting effects of kwashiorkor.
For the past 6 years, researchers from l’Offi ce National
de la Recherche et du Développement in Zaire, with the
cooperation of scientists from AID (the United States
Agency for International Development) have conducted a
breeding program in three stations and have identifi ed at
least two improved varieties suitable for different regions of
the country. Yields of experimental lines have surpassed 2.5
tonnes per ha in research trials.
Cameroon: Research on soybean in this country, where
the crop was reportedly introduced in 1924 (Numfor, 1983),
focuses not only on varietal development and testing but also
on utilization and extension.
Research on utilization and extension has focused on
increasing industrial and household use of soybeans. At last
report, the low price for soybean deterred its commercial
production, but homemakers, introduced to the crop through
demonstrations, had begun to accept it.
“Ghana: Published research on soybeans in Ghana dates
from at least the 1950s, and local farmers in the north grow
the crop for home use.” Homemakers grind the beans into
fl our and use them in various local dishes.
Côte d’Ivoire [Ivory Coast]: In 1978 Côte d’Ivoire began
a project in cooperation with scientists in Brazil to develop
2,000-ha seed farms for soybeans and maize at four sites in
the country (derived savanna to northern guinea savanna).
“Senegal: For the past 15 years [i.e. since 1972]
IRAT [Institut de Recherches Agronomiques Tropicales]
has conducted a breeding program as well as research on
agronomic practices for soybeans in Senegal, including
suitable strains of rhizobia for inoculant. Recently, the
research effort has been taken over by l’Institut Sénégalais
de Recherche Agricole. Lines from this breeding program
© Copyright Soyinfo Center 2012
HISTORY OF NATTO AND ITS RELATIVES 385
have been successful in Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Cameroon.
Testing in Senegal has focused on the region of the Senegal
River, where trials have yielded good results. Yet few local
farmers are growing soybeans.”
Other countries: In Burkina Faso, in 1958, soybean
cultivars were introduced for experimental studies; after
suitable varieties had been identifi ed, efforts to popularize
the crop began in the 1970s (Picasso, 1985). Togo and Benin
have also identifi ed suitable soybean varieties and have
begun extension programs for the crop.
The future: Nigeria offers the best example in Africa
of the potential for soybean production and use. The
country has dramatically increased production from an
estimated 30,000 ha in 1983 to 110,000 ha in 1986. The
increase resulted from: (1) Government policies to produce
food locally rather than import it. (2) Research to develop
improved varieties and practices for all the agroclimatic
zones in the country. (3) Emphasis on developing recipes
that substitute or incorporate soybeans in traditional foods.
(4) Willingness of local manufacturers to use soybeans in
baby foods, vegetable oils and animal feeds. (5) Promotion
of soybeans by organizations such as the river basin
development authorities, agricultural development projects,
hospitals, schools and local governments.
The rapid increase in production is expected to continue
for many years. By 1996, Nigeria should have at least 1
million ha being cultivated with soybeans. Address: 1&3.
International Inst. of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PMB
5320, Ibadan, Nigeria; 2. Obafemi Awolowo Univ., Inst.
of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation,
Ibadan, Nigeria.
1226. Thompson, Keith. 1987. Jacob Hartz Seed Co.
(Interview). SoyaScan Notes. Nov. 4. Conducted by William
Shurtleff of Soyfoods Center.
• Summary: Hartz was purchased by Monsanto in April
1983. They have been doing research on soybeans suited
for soyfoods for 10 years. The director of research Curtis
Williams (formerly at Louisiana State Univ. for 6 years)
began in the mid-1970s to develop a very popular natto
variety, that was released in 1980. Proprietary varieties for
seed were fi rst released in 1984. Univ. of Illinois and Iowa
State are also doing food bean research. Soybean production
in the South has shrunk 46% in the last 6 years, to 12 million
acres from 22 million. A soybean containing no trypsin
inhibitor was developed 2-3 years ago but there has not been
much interest in it.
There are three lipoxygenase enzymes: L1, L2, and L3.
There is a Japanese patented process for removing both L2
and L3, using backcrossing. Hartz has lines that are free of
L1 or L2 or L3 or L1 + L3. Lipoxygenase removal seems
to offer big promise for improved soymilk and tofu beans.
Hartz is the only commercial seed breeder in the U.S. doing
work on maturity group IX and X, now that Hinson has