The Legumes Translated team has given priority in the first six months to establishing the main dissemination activities early. Focused on the very important process of inoculating soybean seed, we have already piloted a procedure for producing practice notes and the related abstracts.
The sowing of soya has started in Europe and inoculation is an important issue, because a successful inoculation can increase the yields and protein concentration of soybeans. The first Legumes Translated Practice Note 'Inoculation of soybean seed' draws on research information from the consortium to support soy growers in this process.
The soybean, like all legume crops, hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria. In soy, this is Bradyrhizobium japonicum that does not naturally occur in European soils. Careful seed or soil inoculation helps ensure that the crop is well supplied with nitrogen. If properly inoculated, biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) can fully cover the nitrogen fertiliser needs of the crop increasing the grain yield and the protein concentration by 40 – 60%.
How proper inoculation is done, can be read in this practice note.
Find the practice note 'Inoculation of soybean seed' here.