Legume-Rhizobium Strain Specificity Enhances Nutrition and Nitrogen Fixation in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Abstract

This study reports the effectiveness of some selected rhizobium strains in enhancing nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake in Vicia faba L. Multi-location field experiments were conducted for two years (2016 and 2017) using a split-plot in randomized complete block design. Treatments comprised six rhizobium strains as the main plot factor and three varieties of Vicia faba as the sub-plot factor. Non-inoculated plants with or without N fertilizer served as +N and −N controls, respectively. Peat carrier-based inoculant of each strain was applied at the rate of 10 g kg−1 seed. Data on nodulation were taken at the late-flowering stage, whereas nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in plant parts were analyzed at physiological maturity. The total nitrogen difference method was employed to quantify nitrogen fixation. Location x rhizobium strain x variety interaction had a significant effect on nodule dry weight plant−1. Rhizobium strains significantly enhanced nodulation, nitrogen fixation, nutrient uptake and soil nitrogen balance. Inoculation with NSFBR-12 and NSFBR-15 resulted in the highest nitrogen fixed, nutrient uptake and soil nitrogen balance. Vicia faba inoculated with the two top performing strains, NSFBR-12 and NSFBR-15 fixed respectively 87.7% and 85.5% of the total nitrogen uptake. Non-inoculated plants fulfilled proportionately more of the total nitrogen uptake through nitrogen derived from the soil rather than fixed nitrogen. Soil available phosphorus and pH had appreciable influences on nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of inoculated Vicia faba. Inoculation with competitive and effective rhizobium strains can improve soil nitrogen balance, nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake of Vicia faba.

Indicative Value of the Dominant Plant Species for a Rapid Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Soils

“…Cover crops are necessary to maintain the richness of rhizobacteria, which intervene in the assimilation of nutrients and in plant growth [53,54]. The cover crop acts as a protective element of the soils, which reduces evapotranspiration, minimizing crop irrigation [55,56], and not being necessary the breakages that destroy the soil mycorrhizae that allow the nitrogen entry into nodular systems [57][58][59][60][61]. Nitrogen fixation by mycorrhizal fungi is essential for sustainable cultivation to be productive [62][63][64]: for this, it is essential to know certain edaphic parameters, since within the Fabaceae family, there are species indifferent edaphic to pH, being able to be acidophilic exclusively or basophilic.…”

Competency of Rhizobial Inoculation in Sustainable Agricultural Production and Biocontrol of Plant Diseases

“…Makoi et al (2013) reported that rhizobial inoculation significantly improved the uptake of nutrients such as P, K, Ca, and Mg in different plant parts such as leaves, shoots, roots, and pods of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Allito et al (2020) indicated that inoculation of faba bean with diverse rhizobial strain caused a significant improvement in nitrogen uptakes which ranged from 194.7 to 309.6 kg N ha −1 as compared to the un-inoculated control as well as soil nitrogen balance is also increased following inoculation of rhizobia. These authors indicated that the increment in the nitrogen uptake and soil nitrogen balance is mainly accredited to improved nitrogen fixation.…”

Rhizobium Inoculation Enhances the Resistance of Alfalfa and Microbial Characteristics in Copper-Contaminated Soil

“…Moreover, Kong Z. et al (2015) , Kong Z. Y. et al (2015) , and Chen et al (2018) reported that alfalfa-rhizobium symbiosis can promote plant growth and regulate antioxidant enzyme activity through the synthesis of indoleacetic acid and iron carriers. Allito et al (2020 , 2021) studied the effect of legume-rhizobium symbiosis on the biomass, nodulation, nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake efficiency of faba bean. However, the soil-plant system is a whole, and the detailed mechanism of legume-rhizobium mediated mitigation of Cu-stress via the biochemical response of the plant-soil system is still limited.…”