Nodulation of tree legumes and the ecology of their native rhizobial populations in tropical soils

Abstract

A legume introduced into a new area will only form nodules and fix nitrogen if compatible rhizobia are present in the soil. Using 25 (60 in the case of Sesbania sesban) soils sampled from tropical areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America, we examined the nodulation of four agroforestry tree species ( Calliandra calothyrsus, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and S. sesban), their symbiotic interactions with the native rhizobial populations, and some of the ecological indicators of rhizobial population dynamics. Rhizobial population sizes estimated by the legume species ranged from undetectable numbers to 3.16×10 4 cells per g of soil depending on the trap host species. Although C. calothyrsus had the highest nodulation rate in the soils used, inoculation tests showed L. leucocephala to be the most promiscuous species while G. sepium had the most effective symbiosis. S. sesban was the most specific for both nodulation and symbiotic effectiveness. Symbiotic effectiveness did not bear any close relationship with specific soil parameters, but rhizobial numbers were highly correlated with soil acidity, particle size and exchangeable bases. Soil acidity was also the main factor that was highly correlated with genetic diversity among the rhizobial populations.