Osmoprotection, cobalt, molybdenum and co-inoculation in soybean culture

Inoculation is essential to supply nitrogen (N) to soybeans and includes live organisms, which may have reduced viability when coming into contact with seed treatment (ST) products. To evaluate the effectiveness of an osmoprotectant between co-inoculation and the application of Cobalt (Co) and Molybdenum (Mo) during ST and specify the best time to apply Co and Mo to soybeans. In the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 harvests, four experiments were carried out, using the cultivars NS 5959 IPRO and TMG 7062 INTACTA. An experimental design was adopted in randomized blocks with four replications, in a factorial scheme (2 x 3) + 1 experiment, consisting of the use or not of osmoprotectant and application of Co and Mo to the seeds, foliar or without its application + control. The use of osmoprotectant combined with chemical treatment of seeds reduced the dry mass of nodules, the mass of a thousand grains, the number of pods and soybean productivity. Co and Mo in ST, in the absence of osmoprotectant, increased grain yield (GY) by an average of 12.6% for the cultivar NS 5959 IPRO. Annual seed co-inoculation promoted increases of up to 11.8% in grain productivity. Co-inoculation increases the crude protein content. Co-inoculation with application of Co and Mo increases soybean yield without harming the environment and at low cost. The use of Co and Mo at the seed in areas with co-inoculation allows obtaining more fertile areas and with greater potential for soybean productivity under intensive management.