This study was carried out in the 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98 and 1998/99 cropping seasons, to evaluate the efficiency of the Bradyrhizobium strains as recommended by research, evaluation and biological nitrogen fixation efficiency of competitiveness of soybean crop under no-tillage. The experiments were carried out at FUNDACEP, in Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in an area cultivated under no-tillage over five to ten years. In the year of 1994/95, the treatments were: non-inoculated control; 200 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer, split twice and without inoculation; and the combinations of the four commercial strains SEMIA 587 + SEMIA 5019; SEMIA 587 + SEMIA 5079; SEMIA 587 + SEMIA 5080; SEMIA 5019 + SEMIA 5079; SEMIA 5019 + SEMIA 5080; SEMIA 5079 + SEMIA 5080 and two isolates of the serogroup SEMIA 586. In the year of 1996/97, the last treatment was excluded and the treatments CPAC 40 + CPAC 44 and CPAC 42 + CPAC 45 were added. In the year of 1997/98, a treatment with 20 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer at sowing + inoculation with SEMIA 5079 + SEMIA 5080 was included. Nitrogen fertilizer decreased nodulation and did not increase soybean grain yield. For grain yield evaluation, during the four cropping seasons, as well as for the global analysis, the non-inoculated control did not differ significantly from the other treatments. The lack of soybean response to inoculation may be attributed to the established population of Bradyrhizobium, in appropriate number and efficiency, as well as to the favorable conditions for biological nitrogen fixation, such as adequate soil temperature and moisture, found in soils under no-tillage.
Glycine max; inoculation; nodulation; cultivation system