Population size and N2-fixing activity of native peanut rhizobia in soils of Thailand

Summary The objective of this study was to assess the number and effectiveness of peanut rhizobia in soils of the major peanut-growing areas of Thailand. Three cropping areas, (1) continuously cropped with peanuts, (2) continuously cropped with non-legumes, and (3) non-cultivated fields, were chosen in each region. Peanut rhizobia were found in the soil at 38 to 55 sites sampled. Cultivated fields with a peanut cultivation history contained (as estimated by most probable numbers) an average of 1.6×10³ cells g^-1 of soil. The numbers of peanut rhizobia in most of the fallow fields and some of the noncultivated shrub or forest locations were much the same as at the sites where Arachis hypogaea was cultivated. In contrast, there were no or few (28–46 cells g^-1 soil) peanut rhizobia in the majority of fields continuously cultivated with sugarcane, cassava, corn, and pineapple. It appears that in these areas the indigenous peanut rhizobial populations are not adequate in number for a maximal nodulation of peanuts. A total of 343 Bradyrhizobium isolates were tested for effectiveness and were found to vary widely in their ability to fix N₂. In some areas the majority of rhizobia were quite effective while in others they were less effective than the inoculum strain THA 205 recommended in Thailand.