Soybeans are a relatively new crop for Saskatchewan. There are varying recommendations for production and some have suggested that application of a starter urea along with the phosphate fertilizer may help to establish a strong stand of soybean. It is also commonly recommended to use granular inoculant in furrow along with a liquid seed-applied product. This may help with colonization of lateral roots and increase nitrogen fixation. The purpose of this demonstration was to test these varying recommendations and allow discussion of the subject at producer events.

Soybeans planted at two sites were treated with liquid inoculant. Seven rates of granular inoculant including an untreated control were applied at each location and phosphate fertilizer was applied. Additionally half the treatments had urea applied.

Overall, the plots were very productive with high yields. The treatment had very small impacts and there was more random variations at both sites that made any small effects unnoticeable. This trial did not indicate any advantage to using starter N or using high rates of granular inoculant. This suggests that current recommendations of using no urea at the time of planting and using recommended granular rates are warranted. Inoculant effectiveness of the liquid product seems to have been very good this year, but we have found benefits of double inoculation with granular products in the past.