Trap. Sci.

1992, 32 , 361-368

Response of soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) to

nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer levels
U. F. Chiezey, J. Y. Yayock and J. A. Y. Shebayan
Department of Agronomy, Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University,
PMB 1044, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract Field experiments were conducted for 2 years (1989 and 1990) in Samaru,
Nigeria to determine the response o f soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) to four levels
o f nitrogen (0, 20, 40 and 80 kg/ha) and three levels o f phosphorus (0, 13-2 and
26-4 kg Iha) in all possible factorial combinations. Soyabean responded positively and
significantly to the application o f phosphorus, when environmental conditions (rainfall)
were favourable; the optimum level for high grain yield was 30 kg)ha. The application o f
nitrogen fertilizer reduced nodulation, increased plant total dry matter but had no
significant effect on the grain yield.

Keywords: soyabean, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus.

Soyabean is an important source of protein, particularly in areas where animal protein

is both scarce and expensive. Although its cultivation in Nigeria started at the beginning
of the 20th century, it has been confined to the southern Guinea savanna. Production
has, however, expanded to the northern Guinea savanna as a result of recently increased
demand for soyabean seeds by the vegetable oil and livestock feed industries.
The northern Guinea savanna soils are characterized by low levels of nitrogen and
phosphorus but have a high potassium content. Therefore, any effort towards increasing
soyabean production must rely on the use of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.
Soyabean response to applied nitrogen has not been consistent. Although the crop
fixes nitrogen in association with Rhizobium japonicum, the amount fixed may not meet
the demands for high grain yield. Radley (1968), Fisher (1980), Kalia, Awasthi and
Singh (1984) and Olufajo et al. (1984) have shown that symbiotically fixed nitrogen
alone was sufficient to meet all the nitrogen requirements of soyabean. On the contrary,
Kang (1975), Bhangoo and Albritton (1976), Thurlow and Hitbold (1985), Soliman
(1986) and Touchton and Rickert (1986) found that symbiosis alone could not supply all
the nitrogen requirements of soyabean and, therefore, that the crop needs supplement­
ary nitrogen from fertilizers.
Accepted 6 December 1991
362 U. F. Chiezey et al.

The application of phosphorus to soyabean has always given a consistent and

significant positive response, particularly on soils deficient in the element. Goldsworthy
and Heathcote (1964), who initiated fertilizer work on soyabean in Nigeria, observed
that the crop responded to the application of single superphosphate. Afolabi and
Osiname (1979), in the south-west forest zone, and Pal, Nnadi and Olufajo (1983), in the
savanna zone of Nigeria, obtained significant increases in grain yield of soyabean by
applying 13-2-26-4 kg P/ha. Some of these trials were conducted with ‘Malayan’, a
variety noted for its poor agronomic characters and high shattering tendencies.
This study was, therefore, undertaken to test the response of an improved soyabean
variety ‘Samsoy-2’, which is high yielding and relatively resistant to shattering, to varying
levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. The study also aimed to determine whether
there was interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus on the grain yield of soyabean.

Materials and methods

Field experiments were conducted in Samaru in the northern Guinea Savanna zone (11°
1l'N , 7° 38'E) during the rainy seasons of 1989 and 1990. Three levels of phosphorus (0,
13-2 and 26-4 kg/ha) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 20, 40 and 80 kg/ha) were tested, in
all possible factorial combinations, using soyabean variety ‘Samsoy-2’ released by the
Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out as a
randomized complete block and was replicated four times. Soil samples were taken to a
depth of 30 cm and analysed for both chemical and physical properties before fertilizer
application.
Seeds of ‘Samsoy-2’ soyabean were planted in plots consisting of eight ridges, 60 cm
apart and 6 m long. Intra-row spacing of 3-3 cm was maintained to achieve a plant
density of 500 000 plants per hectare. Each fertilizer treatment was side-banded at
planting, using single superphosphate (7-9% P) and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)
containing 26% N as sources of P and N respectively.
Weeds were controlled by spraying all plots with the herbicide Galex (metolachlor +
meta-bromuron in the ratio of 1:1) at the rate of 2-25 kg active ingredient/ha. One
hoe-weeding was performed at 6 weeks after sowing to control the weeds that emerged.
Ten plants per plot were sampled to determine effects of treatment on such
parameters as number of nodules per plant, number and yield of pods per plant. Grain
yield was determined by hand-harvesting the four inner rows of the plot (14-4 m2). The
harvested plants were hand-threshed, winnowed and cleaned and the grains collected.
The data collected for each year were analysed individually, and both years were
combined and analysed statistically. The treatment means were compared using the least
significant difference (LSD) as described by Snedecor and Cochran (1982).

Results
Table 1 shows the nutrient status of the experimental soils in both study years. The soils
were ultisols with low levels of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus (Klinkerberg
 Response o f soyabean to fertilizers 363

Table 1. Physical and chemical properties of top-soil (0-30 cm) from the
experimental areas in Samara

1989 1990

Physical characteristics
Clay (%) 16 15
Silt (%) 30 36
Sand (%) 54 49
Textural class Sandy loam Sandy loam

Chemical characteristics
pH (H20 ) 5-5 50
pH (CaCl2) 5-0 4-5
Organic carbon (%) 0-5 0-4
Available phosphorus (p.p.m.) 2-8 2-7
Total nitrogen (% ) 0-03 0-04

Exchangeable bases (Meq/100 g soil)

Ca 1-1 2-8
Mg 0-6 0-7
K 0-4 0-3
Cation exchange capacity 5-6 4-5

and Higgins 1968). Grain yield was better in 1989 than 1990, probably because rainfall
distribution was better in 1989.
Nodulation was significantly reduced by nitrogen application (Table 2). Nodule
number declined by 19-2% and 55-6% with the application of 20 and 80 kg N/ha
respectively. On the other hand, nodulation was increased significantly by application of
phosphorus (13-8—22-5%) compared with the control (without phosphorus).
There was no change in 100-seed weight with changes in both nitrogen and
phosphorus levels (Table 2). The interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus on
100-seed weight also did not attain any level of significance.
The number and weight of pods per plant was not significantly influenced by
nitrogen level (Table 3), but application of phosphorus significantly increased both the
number and the yield of pods per plant (in 1989 only). Plots which received 26-4 kg P/ha
produced 24-5 and 32-5% more pods and pod yield, respectively, compared with the
control plots without phosphorus.
Grain yield was significantly increased in one year only with the application of
nitrogen (Table 4). However, averaged over the years, the influence of nitrogen on yield
was not significant. Application of phosphorus increased grain yield in 1989 and when
both years were combined. Averaged over the years, application of 26-4 kg P/ha
increased grain yield by 28% compared with the control without phosphorus. There was
no interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus on the grain yield.
Total dry matter increased significantly with the application of nitrogen in 1990 and
when the two years were combined, while phosphorus increased the total dry matter
364 U. F. Chiezey et al.

Table 2. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on nodulation and 100-seed weight o f soyabean

Nodule number 100-Seed weight (g)

Treatment 1989 1990 Mean 1989 1990 Mean

Nitrogen (kg/ha)
0 54-3 48-8 51-6 13-6 11-6 12-6
20 46-1 40-4 43-3 14-0 12-0 13-0
40 37-4 31-1 34-3 13-4 11-7 12-5
80 24-1 23-5 23-8 131 12-6 12-9
Mean 40-5 36-0 38-2 13-5 12-1 12-8
LSD (0 05) 3-4 3-2 2-3 NS NS NS

Phosphorus (kg/ha)
0 38-7 32-4 35-5 13-8 12-4 13-1
13-2 41-8 35-7 38-8 13-5 11-8 12-7
26-4 41-0 39-7 40-4 13-2 11-8 12-5
Mean 40-5 36-0 38-2 13-5 12-1 12-8
LSD (0 05) 3-0 3-1 2-0 NS NS NS

NS = N ot significant

Table 3. Number and yield of pods per soyabean plant at harvesting ;as influenced by nitrogen and
phosphorus application

No. o f pods per plant Pod yield per plant (g)

Treatment 1989 1990 Mean 1989 1990 Mean

Nitrogen (kg/ha)
0 54-3 50-5 52-4 22-1 13-3 17-7
20 49-7 48-0 48-8 22-2 14-2 18-2
40 54-3 52-4 53-4 23-7 14-5 19-1
80 58-8 52-3 55-5 24-0 15-3 19-6
Mean 54-3 50-8 52-5 23-0 14-3 18-6
LSD (0-05) NS NS NS NS NS NS

Phosphorus (kg/ha)
0 47-6 48-8 48-2 19-7 13-1 16-4
13-2 51-8 47-2 49-5 21-9 13-6 17-8
26-4 63-5 56-5 60-0 27-4 16-1 21-8
Mean 54-3 50-8 52-5 23-0 14-3 18-6
LSD (0-05) 10-7 NS 7-7 4-0 NS 2-5

NS = N ot significant
 Response o f soyabean to fertilizers 365

Table 4. G rain yield and total dry matter o f soyabean at harvesting as influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus

Grain yield (kg/ha) Total dry m atter (kg/ha)

Treatment 1989 1990 Mean 1989 1990 Mean

Nitrogen (kg/ha)
0 1519 1083 1301 7917 7948 7932
20 1648 1241 1445 7665 8297 7981
40 1671 1190 1431 7997 9175 8586
80 1658 1320 1489 8514 9569 9191
Mean 1624 1208 1416 8098 8747 8423
LSD (0 05) NS 158-9 NS NS 1317-0 893-7

Phosphorus (kg/ha)
0 1299 1146 1222 6908 6892 6900
13-2 1698 1222 1460 7858 7941 7900
26-4 1875 1257 1566 9529 11 408 10 469
Mean 1624 1208 1416 8095 8747 8423
LSD (0 05) 216 9 NS 125-6 1096-7 1141-4 773-9

NS = N ot significant

each year and the two years combined (Table 4). It increased by 15-9 and 51-7% with the
highest levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, compared with the control
without fertilizers.
Discussion
Grain yield was higher in 1989 than 1990, probably because of a better rainfall distribution
in 1989 (Table 5). The rains stopped early in 1990, resulting in small, incompletely filled
seeds. In 1990, environmental factors outweighed any fertilizer effects.
The response to applied phosphorus was expected in view of the low level available
in the experimental soil. Although no response to phosphorus was observed in 1990, this
could be due to early cessation of the rains and the non-completion of grain filling.
However, the result of 1989 and the combined results of 1989 and 1990 still showed a
positive response to this element, indicating that phosphorus is crucial to soyabean
growth and yield. Important yield components, such as the number and yield of pods per
plant, increased with the application of phosphorus and the overall effect was increased
total grain yield per hectare.
Subjecting the yield data to a regression model, the response was both linear and
quadratic, with the linear being significant while the quadratic was not, probably
because the optimum rate of P was not attained. The quadratic models were best
described by the following equations:
1989, y= 1298-7 + 38-7x-0-64x2
1990, y= 1145-9+ 7-4x-0-12x2
1989+ 1990, y= 1222-3 + 23-lx-0-38x2
366 U. F. Chiezey et al.

Table 5. Rainfall distribution at 10-day intervals at Samaru, Nigeria during the

1989 and 1990 cropping seasons

Rainfall (cm)

Date 1989 1990

May
1-10 39-3 80-3
11-20 20-5 25-8
21-31 40-3 23-2
June
1-10 55-4 21-0
11-20 21-0 62-1
21-30 48-6 73-2
July
1-10 26-9 67-8
11-20 58-4 84-6
21-31 101-3 69-5
August
1-10 55-1 109-2
11-20 29-4 44-7
21-31 85-5 101-4
September
1-10 78-7 54-6
11-20 29-9 58-1
21-30 9-7 18-1
October
1 10 52-5 Nil
11-20 1-0 Nil
21-31 Nil Nil
November
1-31 Nil Nil

Total 753-5 893-6

From these equations, the optimum rate of phosphorus for soyabean was calculated to
be approximately 30-0 kg P/ha. This figure is close to the value of 29-06 kg P/ha worked
out by Pal et al. (1989) to be the optimum level for soyabean in Nigeria. Responses
by soyabean to applied phosphorus have also been observed by Goldsworthy and
Heathcote (1964) and Shannon (1983) in Nigeria. In the USA, Cartter and Hartwig
(1964) calculated the optimum rate required to achieve 98% yield of soyabean to be
33-6 kg P/ha, which is also close to the figure reported in the present study.
The lack of response to applied nitrogen could be due to the availability of
symbiotically fixed nitrogen to the crop. The symbiotic fixation was indicated by the
presence of nodules on the roots even without inoculation, particularly on the plants
that did not receive nitrogen. The decline in nodule number as a result of nitrogen
application confirmed the deleterious effect of nitrogen on nodulation, as reported by
Weber (1966).
 Response o f soyabean to fertilizers 367

The presence of nodules on the plant roots suggests the presence of Rhizobium
japonicum in the soils of the experimental area. This is quite possible as the area had been
used for growing cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) and so the cowpea Rhizobium
also could have induced nodulation in the soyabean. This confirms the report of Pulver,
Kuneman and Ranga-Rao (1985), who noted that indigenous strains of the cowpea
Rhizobium japonicum induced nodulation in soyabean.
Although the application of nitrogen increased plant total dry matter of soyabean,
this trend was not observed in the grain yield under contrasting environmental factors.
The conclusion which may be arrived at here is that the symbiotically fixed nitrogen was
sufficient to meet the requirements for the grain in preference to the inorganic nitrogen
applied. Radley (1968) also observed that under tropical conditions, soyabeans rarely
respond to applied nitrogen; similar observations were reported by Fisher (1980) and
Kalia et al. (1984). The excess nitrogen from the inorganic fertilizer only helped in
increasing the vegetative organ as the seeds have limited capacity for utilization of
nitrogen.

Conclusions
The application of phosphorus fertilizer increased the yield and yield components of
soyabean: the optimum level was 30 kg P/ha. While the application of nitrogen increased
the total dry matter, there was no significant influence on the grain yield. Application of
nitrogen also depressed nodulation. It should be noted that adverse environmental
factors of the type experienced in 1990 will nullify the otherwise beneficial effects of
fertilizer application.

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