Soybean Nutrient Management Through Bradyrhizobium japonicum Inoculation: A Pathway to Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to study the impact of Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation on soybeans in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 cropping seasons at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada. The experiment included three soybean varieties (TGX 1485-1D, TGX 1448–2E and TGX1987–10F) and two levels of inoculant arranged in a randomized complete block design in 54 plots.  Standard agronomic practices were followed, data collected for growth and yield parameters, and analyzed using ANOVA (P ≤ 0.05) with significant means separated using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) with 'agricolae' package in R (version 4.2.2). The mean yield obtained ranged from 2685kg/ha to 3038.5kg/ha for the three different varieties. Inoculated plots performed better in terms of growth and yield parameters compared to the control and is recommended as it is eco-friendly, enhances soil fertility, and positively affects grain yield.