Effects Of Dual Inoculation With Mycorrhiza And Rhizobium On Growth Performance Of Soyabeans In Acidic Soils In Gatanga, Kenya

ABSTRACT Small land holdings and poverty in Central Kenya have made it difficult for farmers to adequately conserve and replenish soil nutrients in their farms. Soil erosion and leaching of nutrients leading to soil acidity have been the inevitable outcome. This study was designed to determine the effect of inoculating soyabeans (Glycine max) with both mycorrhiza and rhizobium as a biological means of improving soil fertility in the acidic soils in Gatanga, Thika District. Field experiments were carried out in Gatanga and at Kenyatta University (on-station) in sterilized and non-sterilized soils collected from Gatanga. The field experiments were laid out in complete randomized block design while the on-station ones were laid out in complete randomized design. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted on the data and means separated using LSD at 5% significance difference using Genstat for Windows Version 8.11. The growth parameters; height, root collar diameter, shoots and root dry weight all increased as a result of dual inoculation with mycorrhiza and rhizobium. Dual inoculation also led to increased nitrogen fixation by soyabeans, evidenced by increased nodulation, and grain yields. Dual inoculation with mycorrhiza and rhizobium did not have any significant effect (p