This study was initiated to investigate the effect of phosphorus and Bradyrizobium amended soybean residue incorporation into the soil on sugar yield and juice attributes of sugarcane at the Metahara Sugar Estate. The treatment consisted of combined application of four P rates and three levels of inoculation amended soybean residue incorporation. The treatment was arranged in randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Results showed that incorporation of soybean residue amended with P and Bradyrhizobium increased the soil OC (1.4-2.2%) and available P (5.6-8.8 ppm) as compared to soil before planting. Sole sugarcane scored significantly higher tillers (309770) and the number of millable canes (127471) when compared to sugarcane amended by soybean residues. However, sole sugarcane produced inferior stalk diameter (2.7 cm) and juice purity (85.81%). It was also found that higher cane and sugar yields were recorded in plots amended with soybean residue and sole sugarcane cultivation. Intercropping improved land equivalent ratio and net return compared with the sole cropping of soybean/sugarcane. Hence, these results recommend that sugarcane-soybean intercropping and the need of P and inoculation amended soybean residue to increase the profitability of the suggested cropping system.

Keywords: Bradyrhizobium, Metahara sugar estate, Soybean residue, Sugarcane