Legume-rhizobium specificity effect on nodulation, biomass production and partitioning of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Bayou Bunkura Allito,Nana Ewusi-Mensah,Vincent Logah,Demelash Kefale Hunegnaw

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-83235-8

Bayou Bunkura Allito, Nana Ewusi-Mensah + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83235-8

Copy DOI

Abstract

Greenhouse and multi-location experiments were conducted for two consecutive years to investigate the effects of rhizobium on nodulation, biomass production and partitioning of faba bean. Split-plot in randomized complete block design was used for field experiments. Treatments consisted of six rhizobium strains and three faba bean varieties. Peat carrier-based inoculant of each strain was applied at the rate of 10 g kg−1 seed. Non-inoculated plants without N fertilizer and with N fertilizer served as –N and + N controls, respectively. Data on nodulation, shoot dry weight and root dry weight were collected and analyzed. Inoculation of rhizobium significantly increased nodulation of faba bean under greenhouse and field conditions. Location x strain x variety interaction had significant effects on nodulation, dry matter production and partitioning. Rhizobium inoculation increased nodulation, shoot and root dry weights of faba bean across locations. For example, inoculation with rhizobium strains NSFBR-15 and NSFBR-12 to variety Moti resulted in 206.9 and 99.3% shoot dry weight increase at Abala Gase and Hankomolicha, respectively and 133.3 and 70.7% root dry weight increase on the same variety at the same sites, respectively. Nodulation and biomass production depend on the compatibility between faba bean genotype and rhizobium strain and its interaction with soil bio-physical conditions.

Highlights

Greenhouse and multi-location experiments were conducted for two consecutive years to investigate the effects of rhizobium on nodulation, biomass production and partitioning of faba bean
All of the rhizobium strains evaluated in the greenhouse induced nodules on the faba bean varieties (Table 3)
The strain NSFBR-15 produced the highest nodule dry weight plant−1 (227.8 g) followed by NSFBR-12 which resulted in 210.6 g nodule dry weight plant−1

Summary

Introduction

Greenhouse and multi-location experiments were conducted for two consecutive years to investigate the effects of rhizobium on nodulation, biomass production and partitioning of faba bean. Shoot and root dry weights of faba bean across locations. Nodulation and biomass production depend on the compatibility between faba bean genotype and rhizobium strain and its interaction with soil biophysical conditions. Nodulation of plant with ineffective and inefficient strains are likely to occur as natural Rlv populations in the soil are quantitatively and qualitatively h eterogeneous[14] This point out that optimum nodulation and nitrogen fixation requires inoculation with host-specific effective rhizobium strains. Since the soil may harbor certain ineffective nodule forming native rhizobia, effective nodule formation largely depends upon the competiveness of inoculants strain. Symbiotic performance depends on the abundance of effective rhizobia strain and its competiveness for n odulation[12]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion