Nitrogen fixation and nitrogen fertilization of soybeans

Abstract In pot experiments with (15)N labelled soil and mineral (15)N, the influence of Bradyrhizobium (Rhizobium japonicum) inoculation and N fertilization on the symbiotic N(2) fixation and yield of soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merill., cv. 'Fiskeby V'] was investigated. Symbiotic N(2) fixation only occured after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium. Considerable differences in efficiency of the bacterial preparations were observed. Shortly after flowering, the symbiotic nitrogen fixation was finished and, subsequently, soybeans took up considerable N amounts from the soil. N fertilization at seeding suppressed N(2) fixation of soybeans. In this case, the dry matter and nitrogen yield increased, because the loss of fixed nitrogen was overcompensated by the mineral N uptake. During flowering of soybeans, the N(2) fixation was not affected by N supply, because this process was already terminated. The mineral N was additionally available to the plants and led to increased N amounts in plants. It was absorbed to a considerable degree by soybeans. The mineral N was translocated (partly, after intermediate storage in the vegetative organs) into the seeds thus increasing their yields.