Dual inoculation with strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense to improve growth and biological nitrogen fixation of soybean (Glycine max L.)

The effects of inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense strains on the growth of soybean were evaluated with regard to the estimation of N₂ fixation using the ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique. Inoculation, in general, increased the dry mass of soybean as well as nitrogen content. Dual inoculation with a mixture of B. japonicum and A. brasilense strains was superior over single inoculation with B. japonicum. Nitrogen fixed (Ndfa) varied according to inoculant and soil conditions. Percentages of nitrogen derived from air (% Ndfa) using a non-nodulating isoline were 72% and 76% for B. japonicum and B. japonicum plus A. brasilense, respectively, in non-sterile soil. A similar but higher trend was recorded in sterilized soil, in which the percentages of N₂ fixed were 81% and 86% for single and dual inoculation, respectively. The correlation coefficient between N₂ fixed and N uptake (r=0.94) and dry mass (r=0.89) was significant. Application of special bacterial inoculants in agricultural systems of Egypt seems to be a promising technology and could be used for improving soybean growth as well as soil fertility, thus minimizing environmental pollution. Received: 10 January 1996