• By David Moseley and Rasel Parvej •
I am hearing that producers may plant soybean in fields that have not been planted to soybean during the last few years. Soybean plants have the ability to fix nitrogen, however, the seed should be inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria when planting into fields that were not planted to soybean for the previous three to five years.
In addition, seed should be inoculated if the field has been under sustained flooded conditions (e.g. heavy rains or rice fields).
Molybdenum is an essential nutrient for nitrogen fixation but is less available if the soil pH is below 6.2. If soil pH is below 6.2, a molybdenum seed treatment is also recommended; however, if a soybean inoculant is to be used in conjunction with a molybdenum, seed treatment the seed should be treated the day of planting
Put to the test
A planting date trial at the Dean Lee Research Station was established on March 30, 2020. It has been between five to six weeks since planting; therefore, this is a good time to evaluate for active nitrogen fixation.
Soybean plants are able to fix up to 70% to 75% of their nitrogen requirement by converting atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonium (NH4+). This nitrogen fixation process is from a symbiotic relationship between the soybean plant and Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria colonies living on the soybean root.
The colonies appear in the form of nodules attached to the root. The remaining nitrogen requirement of the soybean plant is usually available from the soils, with no supplemental nitrogen required. Furthermore, applying supplemental nitrogen to soybean plants can decrease the amount of nitrogen fixed through the symbiotic relationship.
The seed should be inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria when planting into fields that were not planted to soybean for the previous three to five years and in fields that were previously under sustained flooded conditions.
Unfortunately, the symbiotic nitrogen fixation process can fail under certain environmental conditions. Soils that are coarse-textured, compacted, have low or high pH, contain high residual soil nitrogen levels or are flooded for three or more days may negatively affect the nitrogen fixation process.
In low-pH soils, nitrogen fixation is negatively affected due to the low availability of molybdenum (Mo), a key component of the nitrogenase enzyme that drives the biological nitrogen fixation process. Poor nodulation may also result from unhealthy soybean plants that cannot supply an adequate amount of carbohydrates to the bacteria.
Molybdenum and inoculants
Soybeans should be planted in fields with a soil pH around 6.5. If soybeans are planted in fields below 6.0 pH, molybdenum should be applied as a seed treatment. However, molybdenum should not be used as a seed treatment with Rhizobium inoculum unless planting immediately after treating the seed.
Fields with soybean plants showing nitrogen deficiency (short and pale green to yellow plants with non-prominent veins) should be evaluated for poor nodulation by digging up and washing the roots.
At the V3 to V5 growth stages, at least seven nodules (2 millimeters or greater in size) with a pink or red colored cross-section should be found in each plant. If the plants show nitrogen deficiency, applying supplemental nitrogen may be economical. If applying nitrogen, use granular/dry nitrogen fertilizers that would reduce foliage burning.
The rate of supplemental nitrogen required depends on soybean growth stage, average yield history and available nitrogen from the soil. Usually, soybeans remove about 4 pounds of nitrogen per bushel of grain harvested.
Dr. David Moseley is LSU AgCenter Extension soybean specialist. He may be reached at dmoseley@agcenter.lsu.edu. Dr.Rasel Parvej is LSU AgCenter agronomist.