Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects 2000

Special Circular 179-01

Effect of Inoculants on Soybean Yields

Steve D. Ruhl, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent
In cooperation with Morrow County Soil and Water Conservation District

Objective

To evaluate the effect of two inoculants on soybean yields.

Background

Test Site: Morrow County Home Farm Nearest Town: Mt. Gilead Major Soil Type: Centerburg silt loam Drainage: Randomly tiled Tillage: No-till Previous Crop: Corn Soil Test: pH - 6.7 P - 52 ppm K - 169 ppm CEC - 8.0 meq/100g Variety: Golden Harvest 93706 RR

Planting Date: May 15, 2000 Seeding Rate: 235,600 seeds/A Row Width: 10 inch Fertilizer: None Herbicides: PRE ­ Canopy (3oz/A), 2, 4-D POST ­ Roundup Ultra (1 qt./A) plus AMS Harvest Date: October 16, 2000

Methods

This study compared two relatively new soybean inoculants (CellTech 2000 and USDA Rhizo Stick). The study was three side-by-side comparisons. The individual treatment plots were 30-feet wide, and the harvested area was the center 20 feet of each plot and measured approximately 1/4 acre in size. The plots were all weighed with a weigh wagon. The soybeans were inoculated as directed by the manufacturer. One treatment was planted, then the drill was cleaned out completely with a shop vac and a second treatment was completed.

Results

Inoculant Treatments	Yield (bu/A)
Cell Tech	48.0
USDA Rhizo Stick	47.7
F <1, P = 0.05 CV 4.2% NS = Not Significant	NS

Summary

The soybeans were clean of weeds and looked good. There was no significant difference in yields between the two treatments.

Acknowledgment

The author would like to thank Golden Harvest for its donation of seed used in this study. Also, thanks to Royster Clark for donating the inoculants used. And thanks to the Morrow County Commissioners for the donation of land for this study.

For further information, contact:

Dennis Baker
OSU Extension, Darke County
700 Wayne St.
Greenville, OH 45331
937-548-5215
baker.5@osu.edu