**2.2 Inoculant sources and preparation**

Two inoculants were sourced from Novozymes BioAg (Cell-Tech® liquid and Cell-Tech® peat) in Saskatoon, SK Canada and Soygro (Soyflo-liquid and Soycap-powder) in Potchefstroom South Africa. According to the manufacturers'specifications, the inoculants contained 2 109 cells/ml or cells/g of *Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens* formerly known as *Bradyrhizobium japonicum* [28] USDA110 strain for Cell-Tech® and USDA122 strain for Soygro. The Cell-Tech® liquid inoculant was applied at the rate of 1900 ml/ha (3.8 ml/20 m2 plot) while the Cell-Tech® peat was 2.32 kg/681 kg seed (170.5 g/50 kg seed/ha). On the other hand, the Soyflo-liquid and Soycap-powder were applied at 2000 ml/ha (4.0 ml/20 m2 plot) and (250 g/50 kg seed/ha) respectively.
