Field Evaluation of Selected Rhizobium in an Improved Legume Inoculant1 (original) (raw)

Increased grain legume production depends on effective symbiotic dinitrogen fixation through successful legume inoculation. Inoculants containing high numbers ≥ l07/g of effective Rhizobium must withstand adverse field conditions. Field studies were performed to determine the effects of selected rhizobia in two different inoculant carriers on nodulation and performance of three grain legumes. The soil at the 1979 site (Vertic Haplaquept) contained = 103 cowpea Rhizobium and = 102 Rhizobium phaseoli per g of dry soil. The soil at the 1980 site (Typic Paleudalf) contained < l02 R. phaseoli per g of dry soil. Selected strains of R. phaseoli and cowpea Rhizobium were incorporated in peat or vegetable oil. Seeds of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were inoculated (ca. 108 Rhizobium/seed) and planted. Nodulation, plant growth, and yields were determined in all experiments. Strains of Rhizobium in oil‐base inoculants g...