Effect of Rhizobium inoculum on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Soybean

Rhizobium inoculation can increase soybean yield, but its performance is influenced by soybean genotypes. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of Rhizobium inoculum on the growth, yield and quality of soybean varieties. In this regard, five different rates of Rhizobium inoculum 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 at different days after sowing. Among the varieties, Binasoybean-4 produced the tallest plant at 45 and 60 DAS and at 60 DAS variety PB-1 produced the tallest plant. At 45 DAS Binasoybean-2, at 60 DAS BARI Soybean-6 and at 75 DAS Binasoybean-4 produced the highest number of branches plant-1. In case of nodule production, Binasoybean-3 produced the highest number of nodules palnt-1 at 45, 60 and 75 DAS. Inoculation of seeds with 100% of RD of Rhizobium gave maximum plant height, number of branches plant-1 and nodules plant-1. It is noticed that Binasoybean-4 with the application of 100% of RD of Rhizobium inoculum produced the tallest plant and number of branches plant-1 at 45 DAS but at 60 DAS, though the tallest plant was found in the variety Binasoybean-4 with 100% of RD of Rhizobium inoculum but it was statistically identical to Binasoybean-3 with 100% of RD of Rhizobium inoculum. Binasoybean-4 with 100% of RD of Rhizobium inoculum also gave maximum number of branches plant-1 at 75 DAS. But Binasoybena-3 with 100% of RD of Rhizobium inoculum produced the highest number of nodules plant-1 at 60 DAS. In case of variety Binasoybean-1 performed superiorly in terms of all the yield and yield contributing characters. Application of 100% of RD of Rhizobium inoculum also showed superior performance. The highest seed yield (2.92 t ha-1) was recorded in Binasoybean-3 with the application of 100% of RD Rhizobium inoculum. The highest protein content was also documented in this treatment combination. Finally, it may conclude that Binasoybean-3 with the application of 100% of RD Rhizobium inoculum might be recommended for maximizing seed yield and to get best quality soybean.