Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Soya bean variety Semmes failed to nodulate with a number of R.japonicum strains. Some of these were applied to the seed in a carrier based on Nile silt.
A three-strain composite in peat gave good nodulation and reasonable N fixation. Inoculation significantly outyielded 100 kg N/ha added as urea in three equal portions at sowing, 1 and 2 months after sowing. Plant dry matter, nodule dry matter, yield, yield components and seed protein were also significantly enhanced by inoculation.
Phosphorus applied at 50 and 100 kg P2O5/ha in combination with a starter dose of nitrogen (10 kg/ha) with inoculation both gave erratic and inconclusive results.