Performance of soybean genotypes under rhizobia inoculation across three agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

Abstract

There is need to improve soybean yield productivity per unit area in the tropics, at least to the world average productivity level. To achieve this, attention has to be paid to the selection of high yielding and stable genotypes through plant breeding improvement programmes. Twenty four soybean genotypes were investigated across three agro-ecological zones (Southern Guinea savanna, Northern Guinea savanna and Sudan savanna) in Nigeria to determine their productivity. In each zone, the experiments were laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters. Results indicated that, genotypes TGx 1987- 10F, TGx 1990-55F, TGx 1990-46F, TGx 1990-57F, TGx 1989-49FN, TGx 1989-48FN, TGx 1989-40Fand TGx 1989-40F were high yielding across the three agro-ecological zones. This indicates that environmental differences could be responsible for soybean productivity from one agro ecology to another. Therefore, soybean genotypes should be recommended for cultivation across the environments. Appropriate soybean inoculation with LegumeFix and or NoduMax should be adopted in order to enhance soybean yield and productivity