Nitrogen Fixation Establishment during Initial Growth of Grain Legume Species

Atmospheric nitrogen fixation as a result of the symbiosis between bacteria and legume species, can result in major advantages in providing host plants with organic nitrogen. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physiological potential during early seedling development for initiation of nodulation and nitrogen fixation activity of four grain legumes species: soybean [Glycine max (L.)], cowpea [Vigna unguiculate (L.) Walp], common bean [Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)], and peanut [Arachis hypogaea (L.)]. Seedlings were grown on a hydroponic solution so that nodule development could be readily observed until about 3 weeks after germination. Nodules developed in all cases. Acetylene reduction activity (ARA) by soybean and cowpea was also found early in seedling development. In contrast, peanut and common bean showed little or no development of ARA during seedling development. The results provided insight into differences in physiological potential among grain legumes in establishing symbiotic nitrogen fixation during crop establishment. These results indicate those species/cultivars that are candidates for readily establishing nitrogen fixation activity during the seedling stage of plant development.