Original title: ENHANCE LEGUME PRODUCTION BY BIOLOGICAL METHODS IN ORGANIC FARMING
Authors: BWIMBA, Roger
Document type: Master’s theses
Year: 2026
Language: eng
Abstract: Enhancing legume production through sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches is essential for modern agriculture. This study investigated the potential of biological control agents, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and mycoparasitic fungi (MF) applied as seed treatment and foliar spray to improve soybean (Glycine max L.) growth, yield, and grain quality during the 2025 growing season. A field experiment consisting of seven treatments (control, LAB and MF applied as seed, foliar, and combined applications) was conducted under standard agronomic practices. The results revealed that biological treatments significantly influenced several growth, yield parameters, and grain quality. Mycoparasitic fungi, particularly when applied as foliar treatment (MFf), markedly enhanced biomass accumulation and yield components. The highest grain yield (423.83 g m?) was recorded under MFf treatment, representing a substantial increase compared with the control (289.20 g m?). Yield improvement was primarily associated with an increased number of pods per plant, seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, and greater biomass production. Correlation analysis confirmed strong positive relationships between biomass and seed traits, as well as between yield and hectoliter weight (r = 0.909, p < 0.05). Protein content was not significantly affected by the treatments, while oil content showed slight but significant variation among treatments. Overall, biological control agents improved plant vigor, reproductive performance, and final yield without negatively affecting grain quality. The findings demonstrate that biological control, especially foliar application of mycoparasitic fungi, offers an effective and sustainable strategy to enhance soybean productivity. The study supports the integration of beneficial microorganisms into legume production systems as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional inputs.
Keywords: Biological control agents; foliar application; lactic acid bacteria (LAB); mycoparasitic fungi (MF); soybean (Glycine max L.); sustainable agriculture; yield improvement.
Citation: BWIMBA, Roger. ENHANCE LEGUME PRODUCTION BY BIOLOGICAL METHODS IN ORGANIC FARMING. České Budějovice, 2026. diplomová práce (Ing.). JIHOČESKÁ UNIVERZITA V ČESKÝCH BUDĚJOVICÍCH. Fakulta zemědělská a technologická

Institution: University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (web)
Document availability information: Fulltext is available in the Digital Repository of University of South Bohemia.
Original record: http://www.jcu.cz/vskp/78736

Permalink: http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-774924


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Universities and colleges > Public universities > University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
Academic theses (ETDs) > Master’s theses