"Inoculated seed" in soybean production refers to seed treated with:

In soybean production, "inoculated seed" specifically refers to seed that has been treated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, typically from the genus Rhizobium. This treatment is crucial because soybeans, as legumes, benefit from a symbiotic relationship with these bacteria. When the inoculated seed is planted, the bacteria colonize the root nodules of the soybean plants, enabling them to effectively fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the plants can use for growth.

This process is essential for improving soil fertility and enhancing crop yields, especially in soils that may lack sufficient nitrogen. By ensuring that the soybeans can access nitrogen through this biological process, farmers can reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which can have both economic and environmental benefits. Therefore, inoculating soybean seed with nitrogen-fixing bacteria is a fundamental practice in sustainable agronomy, particularly in soybean production.