Recent survey in the Soubré region of Côte d’Ivoire has showed high soil fertility depletion. The cost of mineral fertilizer is high and does not always yield a positive return on investment. Soybean can use atmospheric nitrogen through biological fixation by establishing a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. Nitrogen (N) is subject to intense chemical and microbiological transformation processes and is, therefore a very mobile nutrient element in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. A study was conducted at Logboayo and Soubré to evaluate the effect of IRAT-FA3 Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain inoculum on the nodulation and some growth parameters of five soybean varieties (Glycine max) named Canarana, Doko, V3-2013, V6-2013 and IT-235. A randomized complete block design with a split plot replicated three times was used. Inoculation was the main factor and variety the subplot treatment. Data were collected on seedling emergence, growth parameters and nodulation. Results showed that lowest emergence time of 6.49 Days After Sowing (DAS) was recorded at Soubré compared to 6.91 DAS for Logboayo. Doko variety had the highest number (11) of nodules per plant in inoculated treatments. The variety V3-2013 showed ability to nodulation with indigenous rhizobia. Seeds inoculation resulted in an increase of nodules and growth of organs. The results of the present study opens up option for soybean to be grown along other crops in order to address soil fertility problems in the project area. © 2016 J.C. N’Zi et al.
Tag: glycine max
Effect of inoculating seeds with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on the agronomic performance of five varieties of soybean (Glycine max) in Côte d’Ivoire
Recent studies in the Nawa region of Côte d’Ivoire have indicated an acute malnutrition rate of 11.3% among cocoa producers. One of recommended actions from the studies was to diversify agriculture with nutrients rich crops. Introduction of soybean (Glycine max) cropping system could go a long way to ensure food and nutritional security in the region. The current study was conducted in two sites (Logboayo and Soubré) inthe south-west of Côte d’Ivoire, to evaluatetheeffect of IRAT-FA3 Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain inoculumon the agronomic performance of five varieties of soybean named Doko, Canarana, V3_2013,V6_2013 andIT_235. The experimental design was randomized complete block with a split plot withinoculation as the main factor and variety of soybean as subplot treatment replicated three times.Data were collected on some yield parameters and the grain yield. Results of yield showed a highly significant effect (P<0.0001) of the site and a significant effect (P=0.0316) of the variety x treatment interaction. Highest yield was recorded at Logboayo with 1838 kg ha-1 compared to 1220 kg ha-1 for Soubré. The variety V6_2013 with a yield of 1931 kg ha-1and good vegetative development could be recommended as elite variety for the farmers in the Nawa region.