Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 216-226 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 218 and iron (Fe) are also critical, albeit required in smaller quantities. These micronutrients are involved in enzyme function, chlorophyll production, and reproductive development (Gaspar et al., 2018; Silva et al., 2019; Dass et al., 2022). Figure 1 Influence of application of PGPMs, Si-ZnNPs and their combination on (A) the percentage of exchangeable Na in the soil, and (B) nodules dry weight, (C) root length, and (D) total leaves area of soybean plant grown in salt-affected soil with different levels of watering intervals (IW0; 11 days, IW1; 15 days, and IW2; 19 days) during the successive 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The data presented as means ± SD. Means labeled with the same lower-case letter are not significantly different according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (Adopted from Osman et al., 2021) 3.2 Effect of fertilization on soybean yield Different types of fertilizers have varying impacts on soybean yield. Nitrogen fertilizers, when applied correctly, can significantly enhance yield, especially under drought conditions (Basal and Szabó, 2020). Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers also contribute to yield improvement by influencing the harvest index and biomass, respectively (Li et al., 2022). Foliar applications of micronutrients such as Zn, B, and Fe have shown to improve pod formation and seed yield, particularly in semi-arid climates (Çalişkan et al., 2008; Dass et al., 2022). However, the response to micronutrient fertilization can vary based on environmental conditions and soil properties (Gaspar et al., 2018). 3.3 Soil fertility and nutrient management Soil fertility plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency of fertilizer use and the subsequent growth of soybean. Fertile soils with balanced pH and adequate organic matter content enhance nutrient availability and uptake by plants. For instance, soils with high organic matter and balanced pH levels (6.0-7.0) generally have sufficient micronutrient availability, reducing the need for additional fertilization (Gaspar et al., 2018). Long-term fertilization practices, coupled with rhizobium inoculation, have been shown to improve soil fertility and
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