Elucidating the potential of native rhizobial isolates to Improve biological nitrogen fixation and growth of common bean and soybean in smallholder farming systems of Kenya
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Date
2016
Authors
Ouma, Ernest Wandera
Asango, Anne Mercy
Maingi, John
Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Abstract
Identification of effective indigenous rhizobia isolates would lead to development of efficient and affordable rhizobia inoculants.
These can promote nitrogen fixation in smallholder farming systems of Kenya. To realize this purpose, two experiments were
conducted under greenhouse conditions using two common bean cultivars; Mwezi moja (bush type) and Mwitemania (climbing
type) along with soybean cultivar SB 8. In the first experiment, the common bean cultivars were treated with rhizobia inoculants
including a consortium of native isolates, commercial isolate (CIAT 899), a mixture of native isolates and CIAT 899, and a control
with no inoculation. After 30 days, the crop was assessed for nodulation, shoot and root dry weights, and morphological features.
In the second experiment, soybean was inoculated with a consortium of native isolates, commercial inoculant (USDA 110), and a
mixture of commercial and native isolates. Remarkably, the native isolates significantly (𝑝 < 0.001) increased nodulation and shoot
dry weight across the two common bean varieties compared to the commercial inoculant, CIAT 899.Mixing of the native rhizobia
species and commercial inoculant did not show any further increase in nodulation and shoot performance in both crops. Further
field studies will ascertain the effectiveness and efficiency of the tested indigenous isolates
Description
Research paper
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Citation
International Journal of Agronomy Volume 2016, Article ID 4569241, 7 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/4569241