Co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense on the physiological quality of soybean seeds

Abstract

The success of the soybean crop depends on the physiological quality of seeds, which can be favored by beneficial microorganisms, however, it may be impaired by unfavorable environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of co-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense on the physiological quality of soybean seeds obtained in the 2017/2018 crop season, from a field trial involving 23 cultivars submitted to co-inoculation (in-furrow) or without co-inoculation. Plants were assessed for nodulation at R1 and, after harvest at R8, seeds were assessed for concentration of proteins, mass of thousand seeds, and seed physiological quality [(Germination, emergence of seedlings in sand, and Emergence Speed Index (ESI)]. In the average of cultivars, the number of nodules per plant increased from 36.0 in the control to 44.4 nodules with co-inoculation. Increases in the concentration of proteins and in the mass of thousand seeds due to co-inoculation were 5.6% and 34.7%, respectively. Seeds originated from co-inoculated plants had higher germination rate at the first (50% vs. 45.3%) and at the final (87% vs. 79.8%) countings, in addition to higher rate of seedlings emergence in sand box (83.3% vs. 80%), and higher ESI (18.5 vs. 17.4). The benefits of co-inoculation were observed in 17 of 23 cultivars (74%) for at least two of the seven assessed variables. Considering only the minimal germination of 80%, the seeds originated from 10 non-inoculated cultivars could not be used, whereas for the co-inoculated plants this number fell to four.