Yes, this can be done. But normal fertilizer application is adequate. Generally, soybean needs an adequate supply of nutrients at each developmental stage for optimum growth. Under normal conditions, the soybean crop as a legume should provide itself with nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation. Until nodulation occurs, the soybean plant depends on soil nitrogen for growth. Phosphorus is often the most deficient nutrient; therefore, applying optimum amounts of phosphorous fertilizer is ideal for good yields. Apply phosphorus using 2 × 50 kg bags of 23:21:0 +4S compound fertilizer available in Malawi.
It is important to also note that most soils in Malawi are poor hence farmers are advised to use inoculants in order to boost biological nitrogen fixation in soybean. Inoculants form a relationship with the soybean plant by forming nodules/swellings that act as small factories for producing nitrogen that is found in fertilizers like UREA. Varieties such as Magoye and Tikolole do not require inoculation because they produce their own inoculum. Other varieties; Makwacha, Nasoko, Solitaire, etc. will require inoculation for nodule formation to occur successfully. A well nodulated soybean crop is ideal to grow in rotation with maize as maize grows better after soybean.
Answers
Yes, this can be done. But normal fertilizer application is adequate. Generally, soybean needs an adequate supply of nutrients at each developmental stage for optimum growth. Under normal conditions, the soybean crop as a legume should provide itself with nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation. Until nodulation occurs, the soybean plant depends on soil nitrogen for growth. Phosphorus is often the most deficient nutrient; therefore, applying optimum amounts of phosphorous fertilizer is ideal for good yields. Apply phosphorus using 2 × 50 kg bags of 23:21:0 +4S compound fertilizer available in Malawi.
It is important to also note that most soils in Malawi are poor hence farmers are advised to use inoculants in order to boost biological nitrogen fixation in soybean. Inoculants form a relationship with the soybean plant by forming nodules/swellings that act as small factories for producing nitrogen that is found in fertilizers like UREA. Varieties such as Magoye and Tikolole do not require inoculation because they produce their own inoculum. Other varieties; Makwacha, Nasoko, Solitaire, etc. will require inoculation for nodule formation to occur successfully. A well nodulated soybean crop is ideal to grow in rotation with maize as maize grows better after soybean.