抄録
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of rhizobium inoculation on nodulation and yield of soybean in the arid area of China. Experiments were conducted in two types of fields. One was in the field in the extension station (on-station), and the other was in the agropastralists’ fields (on-farm). Soybean (cv. Heihe 5) was sown in late May of 2004 manually in the on-station experiment and by machine in the on-farm experiment. Before sowing, an inoculant, “Firster Nodule Bacterial Medicament of Leguminous Crops” made by “Qinhuangdao Leading Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd” was dressed onto the soybean seeds. Soybean was grown under fully irrigated condition, and was harvested in early September both from the on-station and on-farm fields. Nodules were observed even on the roots of non-inoculated soybean plants, but inoculation increased nodule numbers especially in the fields that soybean cultivation was newly started. Inoculation increased soybean yield significantly in the on-station experiment. However, in the on-farm experiment, inoculation increased soybean yield slightly but not significantly. Yield increase was higher in the fields with lower yield level, therefore, inoculation is considered to contribute to yield stabilization of soybean. It is concluded that rhizobium inoculation can increase soybean yield through increased nodulation in the region especially in lower fertility fields showing lower yield level or fields with less history of soybean cultivation. Rhizobium inoculation is recommended when farmers start to grow soybean in a newly developed land in the arid area of China.
