Abstract

Recent studies in the Nawa region of Côte d’Ivoire have indicated an acute malnutrition rate of 11.3% among cocoa producers. One of recommended actions from the studies was to diversify agriculture with nutrients rich crops. Introduction of soybean (Glycine max) cropping system could go a long way to ensure food and nutritional security in the region. The current study was conducted in two sites (Logboayo and Soubré) in the south-west of Côte d’Ivoire, to evaluate the effect of IRAT-FA3 Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain inoculum on the agronomic performance of five varieties of soybean named Doko, Canarana, V3_2013, V6_2013 and IT_235. The experimental design was randomized complete block with a split plot with inoculation as the main factor and variety of soybean as subplot treatment replicated three times. Data were collected on some yield parameters and the grain yield. Results of yield showed a highly significant effect (P<0.0001) of the site and a significant effect (P=0.0316) of the variety x treatment interaction. Highest yield was recorded at Logboayo with 1838 kg ha^-1 compared to 1220 kg ha^-1 for Soubré. The variety V6_2013 with a yield of 1931 kg ha^-1 and good vegetative development could be recommended as elite variety for the farmers in the Nawa region.

Key words: Soybean, Côte d’ivoire, agronomic performance, yield, variety, inoculation.