EFFECT OF BRADYRHIZOBIUM INOCULUM AND LEVELS OF PHOSPHORUS ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SOYBEAN

Abstract

<p class="Default"><strong>Background:</strong> Soybean is one of the major oil seed crops in Bangladesh. Combine application of <em>Rhizobium</em> inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer could be an important factor to get maximum yield and quality of soybean. <strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the effect of Bradyrhizobium inoculum and levels of phosphorus on yield and quality of soybean varieties. <strong>Methodology</strong>: The experiment evaluated three factors namely, varieties, Bradyrhizobium inoculum and phosphorus levels. The three varieties were: i) Binasoybean-1 ii) Binasoybean-2 and iii) BARI Soybean-6. Bradyrhizobium inoculum levels were: i) control (no inoculum), ii) 50% of recommended dose (RD) (25 g kg<sup>-1</sup> seed) iii) 100% of RD (50 g kg<sup>-1</sup> seed). The phosphorus levels were: i) control (no phosphorus) ii) 50% of RD (18 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>), iii) 100% of RD (36 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were recorded on yield, yield contributing characters and quality parameters of seeds. <strong>Results:</strong> Binasoybean-1 performed superiorly in terms of all the yield and yield contributing characters. Application of 100% of RD of Bradyrhizobium inoculum and application of 100% of RD of phosphorus also showed superior performance. Considering the interaction effect, the findings of the study indicate that Binasoybean-1 responded well to the application of 100% of RD of phosphorus and 100% of RD of Bradyrhizobium and gave maximum seed yield. The highest protein content (39.21%) was found in Binasoybean-2, 50% of RD of phosphorus with no Bradyrhizobium inoculum and the highest oil content was found (19.33%) in Binasoybean-2, no phosphorus and 50% of RD of Bradyrhizobium inoculum. <strong>Implication:</strong> Binasoybean-1 with the application of 100% of RD of phosphorus and 100% of RD of Bradyrhizobium might be recommended to obtain higher yield soybean in Bangladesh. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> From this study it may be concluded that recommended dose of phosphorus and Bradyrhizobium is beneficial for a higher yield of Binasoybean-1.</p>