Effect of phosphorus fertilization on nodulation, growth, yield and quality of soybean varieties

Phosphorus is a very important nutritional element that affects soybean growth and nodule nitrogen fixation. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of phosphorus on the growth, yield and quality of different soybean varieties. In this regard, five different doses of phosphorus viz., control (no phosphorus), 50% of the recommended dose (RD) (18 kg ha-1), 100% of RD (36 kg ha-1), 150% of RD (54 kg ha-1) and 200% of RD (72 kg ha-1) were applied on eight distinct soybean varieties namely Shohag, BARI Soybean-5, BARI Soybean-6, PB-1, Binasoybean-1, Binasoybean-2, Binasoybean-3 and Binasoybean-4. The experiment was set up using a randomized complete block design with three replications, Soybean varieties showed variability in terms of plant stature, number of branches plant-1 and number of nodules plant-1. Application of 100% of RD of phosphorus gave maximum plant height, number of branches plant-1 and nodules plant-1 at 45, 60 and 75 DATs. In the case of variety, Binasoybean-1 showed the maximum number of pods plant-1, 100-seed weight, and seed yield. Application of 100% RD of phosphorus exhibited maximum number of branches plant-1, pod length, pods plant-1, seeds pod-1, seed yield, protein and oil contents. Considering the interaction effect, Binasoybean-1 responded well to the application of 100% of RD of phosphorus and gave the maximum seed yield with the highest protein content. Finally, it may be concluded that Binasoybean-1 with the application of 100% RD of phosphorus would be recommended to get desirable yield and quality of soybean.