Effect of Rhizobium inoculation and NP fertilization on growth, yield and nodulation of soybean (Glycine max L.) in the sub-humid hilly region of Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract

Effect of Rhizobium inoculation and NP fertilization on growth, yield and nodulation of soybean (Glycine max L.) in the sub-humid hilly region of Rawalakot Azad This research experiment was conducted to examine the effect of Rhizobium inoculation (RI) and P fertilization (P) on nodulation, growth and yield characteristics of soybean grown in the presence of starter N fertilizer (N). Treatments included: i) 02 levels of RI (RI 0, RI 1 ), ii) 02 levels of P (P 0 , P 1 that is, P 2 O 5 @ 90 kg ha -1 ) iii) 03 levels of N (N 0 , N 1 and N 2 that is, N at of 25 and 50 kg N ha -1 ) iv) 03 replication. Results of the experiment revealed that total number of nodules increased from 73 in the un-inoculated control to 125 and 95 following the application of RI and P representing 70 and 30% increase over control. N supply did not affect the number of nodules; however, combination of RI and P with 25 kg N ha -1 (RI 1 P 1 N 1 ) produced the highest number of nodules (152). RI, P, N and their combinations increased shoot and root biomass. Seed yield in the control was 767 kg ha -1 that significantly increased to 1081, 907 and 940 kg ha -1 following the application of RI, P and N demonstrating a 41, 18 and 23% increase over control. The highest seed yield of 1208 kg ha -1 was recorded in the combine treatment of RI 1 P 1 N 1 indicating 57% increase over control. Relative increase in dry matter yield due to RI, P and N was 63, 46 and 49%. Seed protein content in different treatments ranged between 33 -40% while oil content ranged between 13 -18%. Application of RI, P and their combinations increased protein content by 6 -22% while increase in oil content was 12 -35%. Concentrations of N and P in plants and their uptake was significantly increased and relative increase in N uptake due to RI, P and K was 77, 21 and 31% , respectively, while the corresponding increase in P uptake was 79, 92 and 56%. It was found that the efficiency of RI and P fertilization increased substantially with the application of 25 kg N ha -1 but the efficiency decreased when N supply increased from 25 kg N ha -1 to 50 kg N ha -1 . The results demonstrate the potential benefits of using Rhizobium inoculation and P fertilization with reduced level of N as starter fertilizer in order to achieve plant-growth promotion, increased nodulation and seed yield of soybean.

The Effects of Rhizobium, Mycorrhizal Inoculations and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) on Nodulation, Growth, and Yield of Soybean

“…Similar results were reported by Majid et al [7] and Faisal [6]. Combination of rhizobium and mycorrhiza (RM) produced significantly the highest nodulation number/plant.…”

“…Rhizobium inoculation of soybean has been reported to increase growth and seed yield Jalaluddin [4], Kala et al [5], Faisal [6]. Majid et al [7] revealed that total number of nodules increased in inoculated over un inoculated control.…”

Character association and path coefficient analysis between some growth characters and grain yield in soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merril.)

“…(Figure 1). This might be due to variation in the rates of applied fertilizer as reported by Majid et al (2009) on the effect of Rhizobium inoculation, N and P fertilization on growth, yield and nodulation of Soybean.…”

Character association and path coefficient analysis for yield components and grain yield in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merill.]

“…Out of all these contributions, 64.3391% could not be accounted for as residuals (Figure 1). This might be due to variation in the rates of applied fertilizer as reported by Majid et al (2009) on the effect of Rhizobium inoculation, N and P fertilization…”