ABSTRACT 

Pot experiment was conducted outside the greenhouse of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike to evaluate the response of soybean varieties (TGX 1440 and TGX 1740) to three different nitrogen fertilizer types (NPK 151515, NPK 201010 and Urea) at four different rates ( 0, 30, 60 and 90 kgN/ha). The experiment has factorial layout in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data were collected at 3, 5 and 7 weeks after sowing (WAS) and at maturity and harvest (10 and 12 WAS) on growth and yield parameters respectively. Plant height at 3 and 7 WAS, and number of leaves at 3, 5 and 7 WAS showed no significant difference (P<0.05) in both varieties using three fertilizers at rate of 0, 30, 60 and 90 kgN/ha (when variety, fertilizer type and fertilizer rate interacted). At 5 WAS, TGX 1440 using NPK 151515 at the rate of 60kgNIha and 90kgN/ha gave the highest mean value for plant height and stem girth. The least mean value for plant height was observed at 5 WAS using Urea at the rate of 90kgNJha in both varieties. However, at harvest, the dry matter weight (DMW), dry pod weight (DPW), number of seeds and number of branches differed significantly (P<0.05) in both varieties using different fertilizer types at different rates. TGX 1440 using NPK 151515 at the rate of 60 kg Nlha however gave the highest values in most growth and yield parameters. 60kgNIha rate of application showed significant increase in more number of parameters than at the other rates (0, 30 and 90 kgN/ha). From the study it can therefore be concluded that TGX 1440 variety of Soybean did better than TGX 1740 using NPK 151515 at the rate of 60kgN/ha especially on yield parameters.