103(3)_str32

ISSN 1392-3196 / e-ISSN 2335-8947
Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, vol. 103, No. 3 (2016), p. 251–258
DOI  10.13080/z-a.2016.103.032

Application of biofertilizers and zinc increases yield, nodulation and unsaturated fatty acids of soybean

Raouf SEYED SHARIFI

Abstract

In order to study the effects of biofertilizers and zinc on yield, nodulation state and fatty acids composition of soybean, factorial experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons. Experimental factors included nano zinc oxide in four levels: without nano zinc oxide (Zn0) as control, application of 0.3 (Zn1), 0.6 (Zn2) and 0.9 (Zn3) g L-1, and five biofertilizers levels: no biofertilizer (B0), seed inoculation by Bradyrhizobium japonicum (B1), B. japonicum + Azosprillum lipoferum strain OF (B2), B. japonicum + Pseudomonas putida strain 186 (B3) and B. japonicum + A. lipoferum strain OF + P. putida strain 186 (B4). The results showed that maximum number of nodules per plant (16.55) and grain yield (1875 kg ha-1) were recorded at the application of biofertilizer and nano zinc oxide as Zn3B4. The highest dry weight of nodules per plant, the number of pods and grains per plant were obtained in application of nano zinc oxide as Zn3 and biofertilizers as B4. Oil and protein content increased through the application of biofertilizers and nano zinc oxide. The maximum oil content was obtained by applying 0.9 g L-1 nano zinc oxide and inoculation as B4. The saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) declined by inoculation with biofertilizer in comparison with the control, while unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic and oleic) were increased. Results showed that both application of biofertilizer and 0.9 g L-1 nano zinc oxide (Zn3B4) increased grain yield by about 68% in comparison with Zn0B0. Based on the results, it was concluded that co-inoculation with B. japonicum + plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and nano zinc oxide application can be recommended for profitable soybean production.

Key words: Glycine max, oil content, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, rhizobium, yield.

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