Effect of Soil and Plant Bioactivator on Phosphorus Availability and Soybean Productivity

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of soil and plant bioactivator on phosphorus availability and soybean productivity. Theoretical Framework: Soybeans are one of the most important field crops globally, becoming a significant source of foreign currency for the country. Phosphorus (P) is a primary macronutrient that performs essential functions in plants, demonstrating its importance for all living beings. Method: An experiment was conducted on a private property in the Itakyry district, Alto Paraná, Paraguay. The design used was a completely randomized block with 5 treatments and 4 replications, with T1 as a control without application, T2 as soil and plant bioactivator + 0% of phosphate fertilization, T3 as soil and plant bioactivator + 50% of phosphate fertilization, T4 as soil and plant bioactivator + 75% of phosphate fertilization, and T5 as soil and plant bioactivator + 100% of phosphate fertilization. The variables evaluated were P in the soil before and after cultivation, plant height, number of pods per plant, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield. Results and Discussion: In terms of soil P, the control decreased by 23% after cultivation and T2 with only the bioactivator decreased soil phosphorus by 40% when compared to the pre-cultivation analysis. The other comparisons for T3; T4; T5 increased P by 24.7; 27.4 and 24.7% respectively. There was no significant difference in the number of pods per plant, plant height and thousand-grain weight. There was a significant difference in soybean crop yield, with a higher yield for T2: Soil and plant bioactivator + 0% phosphate fertilization, reaching a productivity of 4587 kg/ha. This increase in productivity corresponds to 864 kg/ha or 23.2% higher than T1 Control. Research Implications: Demonstrating that the bioactivator in isolation from phosphate fertilization is capable of increasing productivity to a range statistically equal to the treatments that received P fertilization in association with the bioactivator. Originality/Value: This study provides relevant information for improving soil phosphorus utilization in soybean production, contributing data that can be applied to soil and plant bioactivation agricultural practices to optimize phosphate fertilization in the crop.