Differential responses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) — Rhizobium combinations to saline soil conditions

Summary Chickpea cultivars (Cicer arietinum L.) and their symbiosis with specific strains of Rhizobium spp. were examined under salt stress. The growth of rhizobia declined with NaCl concentrations increasing from 0.01 to 2% (w : v). Two Rhizobium spp. strains (F-75 and KG 31) tolerated 1.5% NaCl. Of the 10 chickpea cultivars examined, only three (Pusa 312, Pusa 212, and Pusa 240) germinated at 1.5% NaCl. The chickpea — Rhizobium spp. symbiosis was examined in the field, with soil varying in salinity from electrical conductivity (EC) 4.5 to EC 5.2 dSm^-1, to identify combinations giving satisfactory yields. Significant interactions between strains and cultivars caused differential yields of nodules, dry matter, and grain. Four chickpea — Rhizobium spp. combinations, Pusa 240 and F-75 (660 kg ha^-1), Pusa 240 and IC 76 (440 kg ha^-1), Pusa 240 and KG 31 (390 kg ha^-1), and Pusa 312 and KG 31 (380 kg ha^-1), produced significantly higher grain yields in saline soil.     

EFFECTS OF pH ON GROWTH AND NODULATION OF TWO FORAGE LEGUMES

A study was conducted to compare the responses to acid pH of Medicago sativa and Lotus glaber, two forage legumes with different environmental requirements, either supplied with inorganic nitrogen (N) or inoculated with different strains of their nodule bacteria. Medicago sativa showed, in both treatments, a significant reduction in total dry weight at pH below 6.0. In contrast, Lotus glaber grew equally well at all the pHs assayed in the presence of adequate N. Under inoculated conditions, in the absence of N supply, plant growth was dependent on the bacterial strain used. When the ability of each strain to multiply in culture medium was examined, it was observed that Sinorhizobium meliloti strains showed a pH-sensitive response that inhibited growth at pH 4.0, whereas Mesorhizobium loti strains showed normal growth at this pH. These results suggest that for the effectiveness of Mesorhizobium loti–Lotus glaber symbiosis in acid soils the major factor to be considered is the tolerance of the bacterial strain to acid conditions, while the limiting factors for the Sinorhizobium meliloti–Medicago sativa symbiosis are the sensitivity to low pH of both the plant and its bacteria.     

Effects of soybean variety and Bradyrhizobium strains on yield,protein content and biological nitrogen fixation under cool growing conditions in Germany

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with the bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Because these bacteria are not native in European soils, soybean seeds must be inoculated with Bradyrhizobium strains before sowing to fix nitrogen and meet their yield potential. In Central Europe soybean cultivation is still quite new and breeding of early maturing soybean varieties adapted to cool growing conditions has just started.Under these low temperature conditions in Central Europe the inoculation with different, commercially available Bradyrhizobium inoculants has resulted in unsatisfactory nodulation. The aim of this study was: (i) to test the ability of commercially available inoculants to maximize soybean grain yield, protein content and protein yield, (ii) to study the interaction of different inoculants with different soybean varieties for two different sites in Germany under cool growing conditions over three years and (iii) to determine the variability of biological nitrogen fixation. Field trials were set up on an organically managed site at the Hessische Staatsdomäne Frankenhausen (DFH) and on a conventionally managed site in Quedlinburg (QLB) for three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013. Three early maturing soybean varieties—Merlin, Bohemians, Protina—were tested in combination with four different Bradyrhizobium inoculants—Radicin No.7, NPPL-Hi Stick, Force 48, Biodoz Rhizofilm—and compared with a non-inoculated control. Effective inoculation with Bradyrhizobium strains increased grain yield, protein content and protein yield by up to 57%, 26% and 99%, respectively. Grain yield, protein content and protein yield were generally higher in DFH. Average grain yield was 1634 kg ha⁻¹ in QLB (2012–2013) and 2455 kg ha⁻¹ in DFH (2011–2013), average protein content was 386 g kg⁻¹ in QLB and 389 g kg⁻¹ in DFH and average protein yield was 650 kg ha⁻¹ in QLB and 965 kg ha⁻¹ in DFH. The percentage of nitrogen derived from air (Ndfa) ranged between 40% and 57%. Soybeans inoculated with Radicin No. 7 failed to form nodules, and crop performance was identical to the non-inoculated control. Biodoz Rhizofilm, NPPL Hi-Stick and Force 48 are suitable for soybean cultivation under cool growing conditions in Germany. Interactions between soybean variety and inoculant were significant for protein content and protein yield at both sites, but not for nodulation, grain yield, thousand kernel weight and Ndfa. The variety Protina in combination with the inoculant Biodoz Rhizofilm can be recommended for tofu for both tested sites, while Merlin and Protina in combination with Biodoz Rhizofilm are recommended for animal fodder production in DFH. Animal fodder production was not profitable in QLB due to low protein yields.     

氮肥和种植密度对蚕豆结瘤和生长的影响

在胶泥土和沙壤土两种土壤条件下,研究了5种氮肥用量和3种种植密度对蚕豆结瘤和生长的影响。结果表明:蚕豆在不同土壤条件下结瘤能力差异较大,在氮肥施用量低于240kg/hm²的情况下,适当提高氮肥施用量有助于提高蚕豆的结瘤能力。蚕豆的行距从25cm增加到50cm,降低了种植在胶泥土上蚕豆的结瘤能力,却提高了种植在沙壤土上蚕豆的结瘤能力。同样,适量提高氮肥的施用量,蚕豆的生物量、有效荚数、子粒产量和株高均得到提高。增加蚕豆的行距,促进蚕豆的生物量、有效荚数、子粒产量,降低了蚕豆的株高。     

两种形态氮源条件下磷对大豆结瘤固氮的影响

用营养液培养大豆7周,研究两种氮源条件下,磷对大豆结瘤固氮的影响.在本试验的各取样时期,随营养液中磷水平的增加,生物固氮植株的根瘤数增加较多,尤其是处理后第6周,磷对根瘤形成的影响最大.磷对硝态氮处理根瘤数的影响不大,但本试验条件下,在16μmol/L磷水平,根瘤数较多.硝态氮处理根瘤数远没有生物固氮处理多,表现出氮素对大豆结瘤的抑制作用,导致根瘤固定的氮量减少.因此,硝态氮植株体内含氮量随磷水平的增加而降低,而生物固氮植株增加.生物固氮处理根中N/P与根瘤数之间存在显著的负相关关系,r=-0.5816*,硝态氮处理根中N/P与根瘤数之间不相关.     

Nodule phosphorus requirement and O2 uptake in common bean genotypes under phosphorus deficiency

Abstract

The effect of P deficiency on nodulation, nodule P content, nodule O₂ permeability and N fixation rates in Phaseolus vulgaris–rhizobia symbiosis was studied under glasshouse conditions. Four recombinant inbred lines (L34, L83, L115 and L147) and one variety cultivated in Morocco (Concesa) were inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 in hydroaeroponic culture. Two P levels i.e. 75 (deficient level) and 250 µmol plant^?1 week^?1 P (sufficient level) were applied and the trial was assessed 42 days after transplanting that coincide with plant flowering stage. Under P-deficiency, decrease of plant growth (18%) and nodule biomass (19%) was detected and significantly pronounced in the sensitive line L147 compared with the remaining genotypes. Additionally, under P-deficiency, the efficiency in use of rhizobial symbiosis, estimated by the slope of the regression model of shoot biomass as a function of nodule biomass, was significantly increased in the four lines. This constraint did not significantly influence nodule P content in Concesa, but it was 24 and 41% lower in the tolerant and in the sensitive lines, respectively. Nodule P content was positively correlated to nodule biomass, r=0.75, and shoot N, r=0.92. These genotypic variations were associated with variability in nodule O₂ permeability that was significantly affected by the P level-bean genotype interaction. Under P-deficiency, nodule O₂ permeability was significantly reduced in the tested genotypes and accompanied with a decrease in shoot N content, especially in the sensitive lines (35%). Moreover, the ratios plant N fixed: nodule P content and plant N fixed:nodule dry weight were affected under P-deficiency in four lines with an exception observed in Concesa. Depending on the observed data we concluded that N₂ fixation efficiency could be influenced by nodulation and level of nodule P requirement which depend on both bean genotypes and P level.     

Time-course of nitrogen fixation in two bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) cultivars

TheA-value method, involving the application of a higher¹⁵N rate to a reference non-N₂-fixing plant, was used to assess the magnitude of N₂ fixation in two bambara groundnut cultivars at four growth stages [vegetative, 0–47 days after planting (DAP); early pod-filling, 47–99 DAP; mid-pod-filling, 99–120 DAP; physiological maturity, 120–148 DAP). The cultivars were Ex-Ada, a bunchy type, and CS-88-11, a slightly spreading type. They were grown on a loamy sand. Uninoculated Ex-Ada and CS-88-11 were used as reference plants to measure the N₂ fixed in the inoculated bambara groundnuts. In this greenhouse study, soil was the major source of N in bambara groundnuts during vegetative growth, and during this period it accounted for over 80% of the N accumulaed in the plants. However, N₂ fixation became the major source of plant N during reproductive growth. There were significant differences between the two cultivars in the ability to fix N₂, and at physiological maturity, almost 75% of the N in CS-88-11 was derived from the atmosphere compared to 55% in Ex-Ada. Also, the total N fixed in CS-88-11 at physiological maturity was almost double that in Ex-Ada. Our data indicate that the higher N₂ fixation in CS-88-11 was due to two factors, a higher intensity of N₂ fixation and a longer active period of N₂ fixation. The results also suggest that bambara groundnut genotypes could be selected for higher N₂ fixation in farining systems.     

Nitrogen fixation,biomass production,and nutrient uptake by annual Sesbania species in an alkaline soil

Summary In three field trials conducted during the summer season of 1986, 1987 and 1989 in an alkaline soil, 17 accessions of annual Sesbania spp. were evaluated for nodulation, N₂ fixation (acetylene reduction assay), dry weight of roots and shoots, woody biomass production, and nutrient uptake. At 50 days after sowing all the accessions were effectively nodulated (average 36.4 root nodules plant^-1) with a high nodule score (3.4). There was a lot of variation in nodule volume and mass and in acetylene reduction activity but not in N content (5.2%). N uptake in shoots, roots and nodules averaged 639, 31, and 13 mg plant^-1, respectively, and much of the fixed N remained in shoots. Accessions of S. cannabina complex performed better than others. S. rostrata had poor root nodulation but exhibited excellent stem nodulation (300 nodules plant^-1) even though not inoculated with Azorhizobium sp. Average concentrations of N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg in the shoots were high, at 3.2, 0.28, 1.5, 0.28, 1.5, and 0.4% respectively, and Na was low (0.15%), reflecting the usefulness of Sesbania spp. as an integrated biofertilizer source. Green matter production was 26.0 Mg ha^-1 (5.9 Mg dry matter) and N uptake was 158 kg ha^-1, 54 days after sowing. Average woody biomass of six accessions at maturity, 200 days after sowing, was high (19.9 Mg ha^-1), showing its potential for shortterm firewood production. Total nutrient uptake for production of woody biomass (200 days of growth) was no more demanding than growing the plant to the green-manuring stage of 50–60 days' growth.     

Effect of root temperature on nodule development of bean, lentil and pea

The rhizobia-legume symbiosis is the main source of fixed nitrogen for many agricultural systems. However, it is inhibited by low soil temperature. To date, research on nodulation has involved either qualitative or destructive analyses. The use of computer-based image analysis potentially allows nodules to be followed during the course of development. Seedlings of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) were transplanted into plastic growth pouches suspended in water baths maintained at 10, 15, 20 or 25 °C. Two days after transplanting, all plants were inoculated with appropriate rhizobial strains. Seven days after inoculation, plant roots were scanned; this was repeated weekly for 7 weeks. Data on nodule length were collected through image analysis. Nodule length was correlated with nodule size and development. There were increases in the precision of estimates of environmental effects through observation of individual nodule development, as opposed to averages for populations of nodules. The effects of root temperature on nodulation and nodule development were observed both in the delayed onset of nodulation and in reduced subsequent nodule growth rate, resulting in effects on final nodule size.     

Presence and dispersal of infective Frankia in peat and meadow soils in Sweden

Summary Use of the N₂-fixing grey alder, Alnus incana (L.) Moench, as a short-rotation crop for energy production is currently being explored. To evaluate the need for inoculation of alders, the distribution of infective propagules of Frankia in the soil at potential sites for alder plantations was examined. Uninoculated grey alder seedlings were grown in three types of soil. Frequent nodulation was found in a meadow soil which had been free from actinorhizal plants for nearly 60 years, but the alder seedlings failed to nodulate in peat soil from two different bog sites. One of these bogs had been exploited for peat and the surface layer of the peat had been removed, so that the soil samples were taken from deep layers of the peat. At the other site, an area of cultivated peat, there were no infective propagules of Frankia in plots without alders; the infective Frankia was present in plots only where it had been introduced by inoculated alders. There was no detectable air-borne dispersal of Frankia. Instead, water movement might account for the dispersal of Frankia in peat. Although the apparent absence of Frankia in these peat soils necessitates inoculation of alder seedlings before planting out, this makes it possible to introduce and maintain Frankia strains with selected beneficial characteristics, since there is no competition from an indigenous Frankia flora.