Effects of Soil Texture and Nutrients Application On Soybean Nutrient Uptake, Growth and Yield Response

Abstract

Soybean is a good source of protein and calories and therefore important for food security. Soybean yields in small scale farmers field stand at less than 1.0 t ha-1 against a potential of 3 to 3.6 t ha-1. This has been attributed to low soil fertility. Although a lot of work has been carried out on Soybean nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrition, but research findings indicate that yields are still low, raising suspicion that other nutrients could also be limiting. To investigate this, a nutrient omission trial was used in the greenhouse to find out the nutrients that limit soybean production in four distinct soil textures - clay loam, sandy clay loam, sandy clay and sandy loam following the recommended rate of 20:40:20:5:20 Kg/ha for N,P,K,Zn, and S respectively. Similarly we applied 1 ton/ha of poultry manure with thirty six treatments combinations arranged in a completely randomized design. The results revealed that soybean performance and nutrient uptake varied significantly (p<0.05) between the soil texture and
nutrients application. Sandy clay loam and sandy loam textures respond significantly to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and manure application whereas zinc and NPK nutrients limits soybean performance and uptake in sandy clay and clay loam soils. In conclusion, to increase soybean production in sandy loam and clay loam of Sudan savanna of Nigeria, fertilizer formulations containing N, P, K and Zn should be used. Manure may be used to improve soybean production in sandy clay and sandy clay loam together with application of NPK fertilizer.