Effect of rhizobium inoculation and nitrogen fertilizer on growth and productivity of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill)

A field experiment entitled “Effect of rhizobium and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and productivity of soybean (Glycine Max L.) in South-west Punjab” was conducted during the kharif season of 2019 at Research Farm of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda (Punjab). The trail was laid out in split plot design with two levels of rhizobium viz., 0 and 350 g ha-1 in main plot and five levels of nitrogen 0 kg ha-1, 20 kg ha-1, 30 kg ha-1, 40 kg ha-1 and 50 kg ha-1 in sub plot. The results showed that the rhizobium 350 g ha-1 resulted in higher plant height (128.2cm), dry matter accumulation (40 q ha-1), number of primary branches per plant (15.3), leaf area index (8.28), test weight, (9.8 g), number of grains per pod (3.34), pod length (3.22 cm) and pod weight (4.1). The percent increase in grain yield at 350 g rhizobium ha-1 was 65.6 application and control, respectively. Similarly, nitrogen recorded higher growth and yield attributes than other nitrogen levels. The grain yields of 50 kg N ha-1 (71.5 q ha-1) and ,40 kg N ha-1 (68.3 q ha-1) was statistically similar. Rhizobium @ 350 g ha-1 with nitrogen 50 kg N ha-1 gave highest grain yield (72.3q ha-1).