Effect of biofertilizer on soybean field seedling emergence and seed vigour measured under laboratory conditions

Biofertilizer effects were investigated on soybean seed vigour produced under water deficit stress conditions. Experiments were conducted under field and laboratory conditions. Filed study was done as a split factorial in RCBD and laboratory experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in CRD with 4 replications. The seeds were evaluated by standard germination test. Experimental factors were biofertilizer (Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium japonicum+Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bradyrhizobium japonicum+Glomus mosseae), cultivar (Zalta Zalha and line Clark×Hobbit) and water deficit stress (irrigation after 50 [normal irrigation], 100 [mild stress] and 150 [intense stress] mm evaporation from pan class A, in parents field). Results showed that water deficit stress had negative effect on soybean field seedling emergence and seed vigour. Under field conditions, co-inoculation of B. japonicum and P. fluorescens with seed were effective on cumulative emergence rate in water deficit stress levels. Co-inoculation of B. japonicum and P. fluorescens with seed cultivars were effective on primary field emergence in water deficit stress levels. Under laboratory conditions, Application of biofertilizer had significant effect on germination prcentage and coefficient of velocity of germination, but interaction of cultivar and biofertilizer was differed under stress conditions. Inoculation of Zalta Zalha seed with Bradyrhizobium japonicum increased coefficient of velocity of germination percentage in normal irrigation conditions, but in mild stress condition using of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Pseudomonas fluorescens or Glomus mosseae increased seed germination. Inoculation of Clark×Hobbit seed produced under mild stress conditions with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Pseudomonas fluorescens increased germination percentage. Germination percentage, primary root length, primary shoot length and cumulative emergence rate had significant and positive correlation with primary field emergence.