Relation between soybean nodulation byBradyrhizobium japonicum and intensity of infestation with the spider miteTetranychus cucurbitacearum (Saved) under different sowing dates and increasing amounts of nitrogenous fertilizer

Inoculation of soybeans withBradyrhizobium japonicum and also the time of sowing of soybeans were studied under N-fertilization with urea at 0, 96 and 192 kg N/ha. Intensity of infestation with the spider miteTetranychus cucurbitacearum (Saved) was followed over six weeks. Inoculation greatly enhanced nodule numbers and weight, dry weight and N content of 65-day-old plant, seed yield, seed N content, 100-seed weight and efficiency of use of N from urea. Counts of the spider mite were increased by inoculation and N fertilization but decreased sharply under late plantation. Fertilizer N proportionally decreased nodulation, N2-fixation and productivity of chemical fertilizer. A late sowing date gave the least seed production but the maximum percentage increase in seed yield if inoculated. This indicated a lower efficiency of chemical fertilizer N utilization and the necessity for inoculation.