Effect of sources and levels of molybdenum on Bradyrhizobium survival and on biological nitrogen fixation in soybean

Abstract

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential nutrient for soybean because it is a component of enzyme nitrogenase, responsible for the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). It has been recommended for application on soybean seeds along with soybean inoculants. However, several works have showed that Mo applied together with inoculant reduce Bradyrhizobium survival, nodulation and BNF efficiency. The aim of this study was to know if there are alternative ways to supply Mo to soybean without affecting Bradyrhizobium strains survival, nodulation and BNF efficiency. The alternative ways studied in vitro were to know the growth of strains in liquid medium with different sources and levels of Mo, and in glasshouse these sources of Mo were compared with the commercial ones on their effects on bacteria survival on the seeds, nodulation and BNF efficiency. The strains of Bradyrhizobium showed different growth rate for the Mo concentration and sources tested, being the strain SEMIA 5080 the best of them. Mo application on the seeds must be avoided, because Mo reduces bacteria survival, nodulation and, BNF efficiency. The best Mo sources to BNF were ammonium molybdate, Mo trioxide and the commercial sources Grap and Comol.