Endomycorrhizal inoculant evaluation on soybean in North Carolina under varying potassium levels

Summary

Potassium (K+) is a key macronutrient for plant growth. While arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been shown to enhance K+ uptake in model legumes like barrel medic (Medicago truncatula), their effect on crop legumes such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is not well documented. A 2‐year field study across three North Carolina regions assessed the impact of AM inoculation on soybean growth, nutrient uptake, yield, and seed quality. Trials targeted soils low in phosphorus and K+, using K+ chloride to establish high (67 kg ha−1) and low (0 kg ha−1) K+ environments. Three commercially available soybean cultivars (maturity groups IV, V, and VI) were either inoculated with AM fungi or left untreated. Measurements at 10 and 16 weeks post‐planting included chlorophyll content estimation, sho