Growing Soybeans Under Artificial Light

Soybeans are a well-known outdoor food crop, but they can also be grown indoors under artificial lighting. Growing soybeans under artificial light requires the same soil and moisture level as outdoor-grown soybeans, but the amount of light the plants must receive differs. Five hours of natural sunlight are not equal in intensity to five hours of artificial light. Soybeans grown indoors need an adequate amount of light and the right kind of bulbs to stay healthy.

White cloth or paper
Small, portable lamps
Cool, white fluorescent bulbs
Incandescent bulb

Instructions

- 1
  Place a white cloth or pieces of white paper underneath the soybean pots or flats. The white will reflect light back to the plants, increasing the effectiveness of the artificial lighting.
- 2
  Place two small lamps with cool, fluorescent bulbs and one small lamp with a standard incandescent bulb around one soybean plant. For multiple plants, use larger lamps with long tube bulbs. The incandescent bulb -- the common household bulb -- mimics the warmth of the sun.
- 3
  Position the lamps so the bulbs are 12 to 18 inches away from the plants.
- 4
  Leave lamps on 14 to 18 hours a day, and stay mindful of the lighting needs of the plants. If the soybeans are receiving too much light, they may fail to flower and fruit. If too little light is given, plants will be spindly and pale in color.
- 5
  Turn the lamps off at night. Soybeans must have periods of darkness to develop and grow properly.

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