Keywords
nitrogen fixation, protein, amino acids, sulfur
Abstract
Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rely on large nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen (N), to produce seeds with high nutritional value. Biological N fixation (BNF) supplies most of the plant N demand and enhancement of this process might improve cropping systems’ sustainability. Although seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. for soybean crop is a well-known management practice, co-inoculation with the freeliving N-fixer Azospirillum brasilense has not been deeply investigated in the US, to our knowledge. Thus, this research explores the effect of co-inoculation with A. brasilense on soybean yield and seed nutritional quality (protein, oil, essential and sulfur (S) amino acids concentration) under contrasting fertilizer S rates. Two-way factorial experiments were conducted in Manhattan and Topeka (KS, US) during the 2019 growing season. Sulfur rates of 0 and 20 lb/a were combined with four inoculation strategies: 1) non-inoculated, 2) seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, 3) A. brasilense, and 4) co-inoculation using both bacteria. The proportion of BNF was estimated via the relative abundance of ureide-N (RAU) at the R5 stage (beginning seed filling). Shoot dry mass was also assessed at R5, as well as seed yield and seed size (1000-seed weight) at harvest time (R8 stage). Dry basis concentration of seed components was also determined (protein, oil, essential and sulfur amino acids). None of the treatment factors significantly (P < 0.05) influenced any observed trait. Overall, RAU averaged 80%, seed yield 65 bu/a, protein 42%, and oil 20%. Future research is necessary to eventually capture effects from co-inoculation and S fertilization in soybeans.
Recommended Citation
Moro Rosso, L. H.; de Borja Reis, A. F.; Naeve, S. L.; and Ciampitti, I. A.
(2021)
"Co-Inoculation and Sulfur Fertilization in Soybeans,"
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports:
Vol. 7:
Iss.
5.
https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8084
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