Jordyn Waters / Biology / Faculty Mentor: Woo-Suk Chang
No-till farming is an agricultural practice that involves cultivating crops without disturbing soils and offers numerous benefits such as reduced soil erosion, increased microbial activity, and elevated soil organic carbon levels, which ultimately promotes carbon sequestration. Incorporating inoculants such as a N-fixing soil bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum into this practice can further enhance its advantages by fostering a symbiotic relationship with the soybean plant (Glycine max). The additional benefits include attracting other beneficial soil microorganisms to the soybean rhizosphere and minimizing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Consequently, the integration of this inoculant and no-till farming holds promise for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while ensuring sustainable soybean productions. This research aimed to understand the soybean plant’s nutrient uptake when planted under no-till practices. The conventional tillage was included for comparisons. In addition, soybeans were inoculated with the drought-tolerant B. japonicum spp. TXVA to provide additional benefit by nitrogen fixation. Through the analysis of N-P-K nutrients in leaf tissues, physiochemical properties in soils, and soybean yields from Colt, AR, Winnsboro, LA, and Norborne, MO, we offer insights into our understanding of nutrient acquisition and overall plant vitality across various tillage practices and inoculation treatments.
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