Nutrient Composition of Soybean in response to Phosphorus Fertilizer Concentrations

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The types and amount of nutrient applied to the soil are key factors in crop production. A field experiment was carried out at the out – station of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ikenne, Ogun State to examine the effect of different Phosphorus Concentrations on yield, protein, mineral and vitamin content of Soybean Seed. The experiment was laid out in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Each replicate measured 11.2 x 2m2 separated by 1m apart consisting of 4 plots of 2 x 2.4m2 separated by 0.5m. The treatment were different rates of phosphorus fertilizer applied at 20kg/ha, 40kg/ha, 60kg/ha and at zero level. Soybean seed used was TGX 1440 – IE. Cultural practices were carried out and data taken. At maturity soybean grains were harvested, threshed and weighed in kg/ha. The grains were analyzed for proximate and mineral composition. The result showed that application of 60kg P/ha significantly (p<0.05) gave the highest grain yield of 190.76 kg/ha than other treatments. Proximate analysis result showed that soybean treated with 60kg/ha of phosphorus had the highest protein content (39.50%). While crude fat, was not affected by application of phosphorus. Phosphorus at zero levels gave high values of iron and calcium content (18.01mg/kg and 324.02Cmol/kg respectively) while 20kg/ha level of phosphorus gave highest value for magnesium content (338.74Cmol/kg). The study therefore recommends application of Phosphorus at the rate of 60kg/ha for optimum soybean grain yield with high protein content.
Key words: Soybean, Phosphorus, Grain, Yield, Promate