Compounded Biological Soil Conditioner for Soybean Crop Production at Brazil

Aim: To evaluate the agronomic efficiency of Bacillus-based soil conditioner on soybean crop development and productivity in different cropping areas.

Study Design: Randomized complete block design with six treatments and eight replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Municipalities of Uberlândia, Paracatú, Araxá and Guarda Mor, all in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, during the 2019/20 season.

Methodology: The treatments consisted of untreated control, 300 kg ha-1 of mineral fertilizer, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 L ton-1 of Bacillus-based soil conditioner applied to mineral fertilizer (BSC2.0; BSC2.5; BSC3.0; BSC3.5). Leaf and grain P and K concentration, soybean yield components (grains per pod, pods per plant, weight of a thousand grains) and grain yield were evaluated. Data were subject to ANOVA at P = 0.10. Treatments means were separated using the Duncan test at a 0.10 level of significance.

Results: The biological soil conditioner (BSC) had a statistically superior response than mineral fertilizer in all evaluated doses. In Uberlândia, the BSC2.0 treatment was more efficient in increasing the foliar P concentration in soybean. In Araxá, BSC3.0 provided greater grain yield, as it increased the number of pods per plant and soybean yield. BSC3.5 obtained higher grain yield in Paracatú and Guarda Mor. The average soybean yield achieved in all areas was higher than that obtained in the state of Minas Gerais.

Conclusion: This study revealed that using Bacillus-based soil conditioner on soybean crops is a valuable strategy to increase the soil activity, development and crop yield.