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

Bayou Bunkura Allito,Nana Ewusi-Mensah,Vincent Logah

doi:10.3390/agronomy10060826

Bayou Bunkura Allito, Nana Ewusi-Mensah + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060826

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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.

Highlights

Declining soil fertility is one of the major challenges in crop production among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa [1]
Analysis of variance across the study locations revealed that location × rhizobium strain × variety (L × R × V) interactions had a significant effect on nodule dry weight plant−1
Variety Gora inoculated with strain TAL_1035 produced the highest nodule dry weight plant−1 at all experimental sites except at Abala Gase where variety Dosha inoculated with strain NSFBR-15 produced the highest nodule dry weight plant−1

Summary

Introduction

Declining soil fertility is one of the major challenges in crop production among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa [1]. Nitrogen (N) is the most commonly limiting soil nutrient contributing to reduced agricultural yields throughout the region. Resource-poor farmers are unable to afford inorganic fertilizer costs to compensate for the nitrogen deficiency in their farms. Different processes lead to more than 50% loss of the applied nitrogen fertilizer, which represents a cash loss to farmers and a source of environmental pollution [2]. The increasing cost of inorganic fertilizer and its adverse impacts on the environment have attracted research interest to scout for alternative sources of nitrogen. Legume-rhizobium symbioses can be an alternative source of available N, which reduces the use of inorganic fertilizer while maintaining crop yield at high levels [3].

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