Effect of Different Rates of Nitrogen and Phosphorous on Growth and Nodulation of Glycine max in the Eastern Region of Sri Lanka

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of different rates of nitrogen and phosphorous on the nodulation and growth of soybean. The pot experiment was conducted under a rain shelter in Agro Technology Park, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The experimental design was CRD with four replicates. Different fertilizer combinations were used as treatments such as T1-30N:150P: 75K: kg/ha, T2-70N:150P:75K: kg/ha, T3 (control)-50N:150P:75K: kg/ha, T4-50N:125P:75K: kg/ha and T5-50N:175P:75K: kg/ha. The results revealed that there were significant (p < 0.05) differences among the treatments on plant height, leaf area, plant dry biomass and nodulation. It was observed that T4 showed significant increment in growth and nodulation of soybean. The application of fertilizer combination with reduced amount of phosphorous fertilizer could be used to get maximum growth and nodulation of soybean in Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka.