Soybean yield in response to foliar fertilization, seed treatment with molybdenium and Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation

Abstract

Soybean in symbiosis with Bradyrhizobium japonicum is capable to have its nitrogen (N) demand satisfied with nitrogen biological fixation (NBF). However, NBF can be affected by molybdenium deficiency because molybdenium is part of the nitrogenase enzyme responsible for the process. Two experiments under field conditions (Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico, in Palotina-PR, Brazil) were carried out. The objectives were to study the treatment of seeds with Mo and inoculation of B. japonicum as well as foliar fertilization with Mo in the productivity of soybean. In the first experiment, four doses of Mo (0, 40, 80 and 160 g/ha) were applied as foliar fertilization. In the second experiment, treatments were composed of three forms of Mo application (without Mo, treatment of seeds with Mo and foliar application of 80 g/ha of Mo) all combined with and without B. japonicum inoculation. No significant effects in soybean productivity were observed in the treatment of seeds with Mo, inoculation with B. japonicum and foliar fertilization with Mo.