Impact of Nitrogen Fertilisation and Inoculation on Soybean Nodulation, Nitrogen Status, and Yield in a Central European Climate

Waldemar Helios, Magdalena Serafin-Andrzejewska (), Marcin Kozak and Sylwia Lewandowska ()
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Waldemar Helios: Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Pl. Grunwaldzki 24A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
Magdalena Serafin-Andrzejewska: Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Pl. Grunwaldzki 24A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
Marcin Kozak: Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Pl. Grunwaldzki 24A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
Sylwia Lewandowska: Department of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Seed Production, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Pl. Grunwaldzki 24A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: Soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivation is expanding in Central Europe due to the development of early-maturing cultivars and growing demand for plant-based protein produced without the use of genetically modified organisms. However, nitrogen (N) management remains a major challenge in temperate climates, where variable weather conditions can significantly affect nodulation and yield. This study evaluated the effects of three nitrogen fertilisation doses (0, 30, and 60 kg N·ha −1 ), applied in the form of ammonium nitrate (34% N) and two commercial rhizobial inoculants—HiStick Soy (containing Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain 532C) and Nitragina (including a Polish strain of B. japonicum )—on nodulation, nitrogen uptake, and seed yield. A three-year field experiment (2017–2019) was conducted in southwestern Poland using a two-factor randomized complete block design. Nodulation varied significantly across years, with the highest values recorded under favourable early-season moisture and reduced during drought. In the first year, inoculation with HiStick Soy significantly increased nodule number and seed yield compared to Nitragina and the uninoculated control. Nitrogen fertilisation consistently improved seed yield, although it had no significant effect on nodulation. The highest nitrogen use efficiency was observed with moderate nitrogen input (30 kg N·ha −1 ) combined with inoculation. These findings highlight the importance of integrating effective rhizobial inoculants with optimized nitrogen fertilisation to improve soybean productivity and nitrogen efficiency under variable temperate climate conditions.

Keywords: Glycine max; temperate climate; N fertilisation; inoculation; nodulation; N content and uptake; N use efficiency; seed yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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