Effect of nodumax inoculant on morpho-physiological parameters, nutrient content and yield of soybean (Glycine max. L)

Abstract

The field study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of Imo State University, Owerri, to investigate the effect of Nodumax inoculants on Morpho-Pysiological parameters, Nutrient content and yield of Soybean (Glycine max). The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design with five treatments and four replications. Treatments consist of Gum Arabic Slurry, Honey Slurry, Powdered milk Slurry, Sugar Slurry ( as adhesive agents) and control. The results obtained indicated that Nodumax inoculation, with adhesive agents especially Gum Arabic improved the Morpho- Physiological parameters such as plant heights, leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area ratio, Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) and shoot dry weight compare to the control. Inoculation increased soybean grain yield across the various adhesive agents ranging from 909.45kg/ha for non-inoculated control to 1002.99kg/ha for inoculated using Gum Arabic, as sticker agent. Proximate composition of inoculated seeds was significantly (P<0.05) improved compare to the control. However, it was observed that Nodumax inoculation correspond to increase in soybean growth characteristics which subsequently increased the yield and improved the nutritional status of soybean. This study has shown that the type of adhesive for coating of seed during rhizobium inoculation could impact positive change in growth parameters, Nutritional status and yield of soybean.