It is recommended to use high quality seeds of the selected variety. Before planting, it is advisable to check germination rate to make sure that the seeds don’t lose viability when seed origin is not sure. It is recommended to avoid using seeds which are more than 12 months old. It is also recommended to sort out the good seeds for planting to ensure that they are free from insects, disease infestation, and weed seeds. If possible, make sure that seeds are from Rwanda Agriculture Board or a Seed Company/Cooperative. Suitable period for planting is September-October for Season A and early March for Season B. Before planting, seeds are inoculated with Rhizobia inoculants. Seeds are coated with inoculants just before planting and covered shortly after planting to protect rhizobia from the sun and drying. The quantity of seeds per hectare is about 50-70 kg depending on grain size. Soybean is planted using a spacing of 40 cm between rows and 5 cm within rows with one seed per hole.
Fertilization
Logically, a single fertilizer recommendation must be avoided for soybean production in the country. A good fertilizer recommendation for soybean production should depend on a soil test. However, under normal conditions, soybean as a legume should provide itself with nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation. Phosphorus is often the most deficient nutrient in tropical soil and the most required macro-element for the success of the biological nitrogen fixation, as a starter to stimulate the vigor of seedlings at early stage. Currently, Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) is recommended at a rate of 100 kg/ha (46 kg of P/ha). The advantage of DAP is that in addition to P supply, it also provides a small amount of nitrogen which is among limiting factors to soybean production, DAP is supplying 18 kg/ha of N to ensure plant growth before BNF taking place. DAP is incorporated into the soil at owing time in addition to farmyard manure which is applied at a rate of 5 Tons/ha while ploughing.
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