RESPONSE OF SOYBEAN PLANTS TO INOCULATION WITH RHIZOBIA AND CYANOBACTERIA

Field experiments were carried out on a clayey alluvial soil to evaluate the effect of (Bradyrhizobium japonicum (B.j), ,Nostoc muscorum, Anabaena oryzae, B.j. +Nostc, B.j.+Anabaena, and B.j.+Nostc+Anabaena , on soybean (Glycine max L.) vegetative growth, root nodulation status , yield and its components. Also, microbial activity in soybean rhizosphere soil and technology characters of seeds (protein, oil, and carbohydrate content) were determined. Results indicated that, inoculation with Brady rhizobium or cyanobacteria improved plant growth parameters, i.e., plant height, number of branches, number and dry weight of pods above the control (60kgN) . However, co-inoculation of Brady rhizobium with the two cyanobacteria significantly enhanced those parameters, where they scored significant increases in number and dry weight of root nodules, as well as nitrogenase activity of the root system, as compared with the single inoculation with Brady rhizobium alone or the control. The mixed inoculation improved dehydrogenase activity in the rhizosphere soil, as well as the seed content of oil, protein and carbohydrate were achieved. Also, the highest yield and its components were also recorded with the mixed inoculation.