Evaluation of Bio-and Mineral Phosphorus Fertilizers Accompanied with Foliar Application of Micronutrients on Quantity and Quality of Soybean (Glycin max L.) Yield

Abstract

FIELD experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different levels of phosphorus fertilizer application P 0 (without P fertilizer), P 1 (15 kg P 2 O 5 /fed), P 2 (22.5 kg P 2 O 5 /fed) and the recommended dose P 3 (30 kg P 2 O 5 /fed), either alone or in combination with phosphorus biofertilizer (phosphorus solubilizing bacteria Bacillus megatherium) and foliar spray of micronutrients (Fe + Mn + Zn at mixture rate 1:1:1) on yield, yield components and seed quality of soybean. The results showed that the yield and its components were significantly increased with the levels of mineral P-fertilizers, biological P-fertilizers and foliar spray of micronutrients alone or in combination. Also, the results disclosed that the highest values of yield components were obtained with combination of P rate of 22.5 kg P 2 O 5 /fed with inoculation of Pbiofertilizer and foliar spray of micronutrients. Application of phosphorus at the rate of 22.5 kg P 2 O 5 /fed in combination with phosphorus dissolving bacteria significantly increased the uptake of macro-, micro-nutrients, protein and oil contents. Moreover, the combined application of mineral phosphorus and foliar micronutrients application had positive effect on N, K, Mn, as well as protein and oil content. The interaction between phosphorus level at 22.5 kg P 2 O 5 /fed, phosphorus biofertilizer and foliar micronutrients had significant influence on uptake of K, Fe and Mn in seeds of soybean plants. Therefore, it could be concluded that, biofertilizers could replace a portion of the chemical fertilizers in soybean production reducing environment problems linked to the mineral fertilizers.