GROWTH AND YIELD OF SOYBEAN AS AFFECTED BY INOCULATION WITH STRAINS OF Rhizobium japonicum

Abstract

Three soybean varieties (Clark-63, UPLB Sy-2, and TK-5) were inoculated with strains of Rhizobium japonicum (TAL 102, TAL 103, TAL 377, and Allen 527) using broth culture. The inoculated plants grew taller and formed more nodules than the uninoculated ones but no significant differences on the flowering and maturity of the three soybean varieties were observed. Significant differences in grain yield were noted among varieties, among inoculants, and their interactions. Variety UPLB Sy-2 inoculated with Allen 527 had the highest yield (1.13 t/ha) followed by TK-5 with TAL 102 (0.91 t/ha). Clark-63 treated with TAL 377 gave the lowest grain yield (0.64 t/ha). Among the uninoculated varieties, Clark-63 was the lowest yielder (0.54 t/ha). The results indicate that specific variety requires a specific strain of R. japonicum.