Productivity Of Legume Crops Research Articles

Application of Mycorrhiza Biofertilizer to Increase Growth and Yield of Mungbean Grown following Paddy Rice during the Dry Season under Different Plant Spacing

In irrigated rice fields, secondary crops such as maize and pulse crops are usually grown during the dry season after harvest of paddy rice. One of the obstacles to the production of legume crops following paddy rice in the dry season is low P availability in addition to growth disturbances due to dry weather with low nighttime but high daytime temperatures. Purpose: This research aimed to examine the effects of mycorrhiza biofertilizer in increasing yield of mungbean grown following paddy rice in the dry season under two planting densities. Methods: The experiment was carried out in the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram, which is located in Narmada (West Lombok, Indonesia), from May to July 2023, which was arranged according to the Randomized Complete Block Design with six blocks and two treatment factors. The first factor was mungbean plant spacing (S1= 25x20 cm; S2= 35x20 cm) and the second one was application of mycorrhiza biofertilizer (M0= without; M1= with biofertilizer). Results: The results indicated that the application of mycorrhiza biofertilizer significantly increased yield and yield components of mungbean, both per clump and per m2, in which the average grain yield was higher in the M1 (7.42 g/clump or 124.28 g/m2) than in the M0 treatment (4.76 g/clump or 78.59 g/m2). Based on the patterns of the interaction effects, the increase in AMF spore count due to the application of mycorrhiza biofertilizer was higher in S2 than in S1 treatment, whereas the increase in mungbean grain yield per m2 was higher in S1 (72.06%) than in S2 treatment (45.59%). Conclusion: The plant density of mungbean grown following paddy rice during the dry seasons can be increased if mycorrhiza biofertilizer is applied to increase yield of the mungbean plants.

Enhanced cadmium immobilization in soil using Fe- and Zn-doped biochar: Mechanisms and safety implications for Cicer arietinum L

Cd toxicity emerges as a major environmental concern with detrimental impacts on global agricultural systems and food safety. Therefore, there is an urgent need to cope with the high concentration of Cd in the soil and crops. This study elucidates the potential of iron (FeBC) and zinc doped biochar (ZnBC) on the growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Cd-contaminated soil. The parallels of biochemical attributes and Cd absorption of Cicer arietinum L. were investigated after a 120-day pot trial under 1% (w/w) biochar doses and two Cd concentrations (25 and 50 mg kg−1). The results demonstrated that FeBC was more effective in promoting plant growth by reducing Cd mobility in soil than ZnBC and normal biochar (NBC). Additionally, the application of FeBC resulted in significant improvement in photosynthesis rate (53.98%), transpiration rate (91.53%), stomatal conductance (197%), and sub-stomatal conductance (213.33%) compared to other applied treatments. Cd uptake in roots, shoots, and grains was reduced by 44.19%, 56.89%, and 88.25% respectively with the application of FeBC. Notably, the highest decrease in Cd bioaccumulation factor (99.72% and 99.65%) and Cd translocation factor (99.89% and 99.85%) were recorded under FeBC application in 25 and 50 mg kg−1 Cd-contaminated soils, respectively. The improved plant growth and reduced Cd buildup with FeBC under Cd stress suggest that FeBC is a promising strategy to remediate Cd-contaminated soil and simultaneously promote sustainable production of legume crops in Cd-contaminated soils.

FORAGE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF LUCERNE (Medicago sativa L.) UNDER MINERAL POTASSIC FERTILIZATION

Livestock are one of the important components of the different region farming systems in Gujarat region. Fertilizer management affects both the productivity and nutritive value of forage legume crops. The influence of Schoenite in combination with different potassic fertilizers on fodder lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was evaluated through field experiments at Main Forage Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand on loamy sand soil during rabi season of the year 2019-2020. The plant height, Number of tillers per meter raw length at first and second cut tended to increase with the application of potassic fertilizer through soil and foliar spray. The magnitude of per cent increase in green fodder yield (101.11, 33.24 and 50.08) and dry matter yield (132.07, 67.40 and 79.49) of lucerne was found at the first and second cut as well as in total yield, respectively with response to 25 kg K2O ha-1 through Schoenite + Schoenite spray @1% over the RDF + water spray. The same treatment recorded higher crude protein content and yield. The significant differences in P, K, S, and Mg content and uptake before and after spray by crop were observed due to potassic fertilization.

Comprehensive evaluation of phosphate deficiency tolerance in common vetch germplasms and the adaption mechanism to phosphate deficiency

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is widely planted as forage, green manure and food. Phosphate (Pi) deficiency is an important constraint for legume crop production. In this study, P-deficiency tolerance in 40 common vetch collections was evaluated under hydroponic condition. The collections were clustered into three groups based on the tolerance level. Physiological responses to P-deficiency in two tolerant collections (418 and 426) in comparison with one sensitive collection (415) were investigated. Greater growth inhibition was observed in sensitive collection compared with two tolerant collections, although the inorganic phosphorus (P) content in sensitive collection was higher than those in tolerant collections. The internal and external purple acid phosphatase activity in plants showed no significant difference between 418 and 415 under low phosphate condition. Transcriptomic analysis in the tolerant collection 426 in response to Pi starvation showed that many common adaptive strategies were applied and PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE (PHR)-related Pi signaling and transporter genes were altered. VsPHT1.2 had the highest expression level in root among all VsPHT1s, and it was remarkably upregulated after short time of P-deficiency treatment in tolerant collections compared with sensitive collection. In conclusion, common vetch response to P starvation by altering the expressions of core genes involved in Pi transport and signaling, and the elevated expression of VsPHT1.2 gene might contribute to higher Pi acquisition efficiency in P-deficiency tolerant collections.

Multispectral, Thermographic and Spectroradiometric Analyses Unravel Bio-Stimulatory Effects of Wood Distillate in Field-Grown Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Wood distillate (WD) has recently emerged as a promising bio-stimulant for sustainable legume crop production, owing to its ability to enhance seed yield and quality. However, no studies exist on the effects of WD on chickpea plants at pre-harvesting stages, hindering the farmers’ ability to acquire valuable knowledge on the early action of WD on the plants’ status and preventing the establishment of proactive measures to optimize WD use in agriculture. In this study, two multispectral, thermographic and spectroradiometric surveys, along with in-situ measurements of specific plant biometric traits, were conducted across the reproductive stage of field-grown chickpea in order to evaluate the early involvement of WD on plant health. The acquired multispectral images were used to calculate the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), revealing a notable ~35% increase in NDVI scores of WD-treated plants at the onset of physiological maturity, and indicating an improved plant status compared to the control (water-treated) plants. Moreover, control and WD-treated plants exhibited distinct spectral signatures across the visible, near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectra, suggesting potential changes in their photosynthetic capacity, structural properties and water content both at the leaf and at the pod level. Furthermore, WD-treated plants showed a 25% increase in pod production, particularly at the beginning of seed maturity, suggesting that enhancements in plant status were also reflected in higher pod yields. These results point to a beneficial effect of WD on plant health during the preliminary stages of seed formation and indicate that a combination of both multispectral and spectroradiometric analyses can provide critical insights on the status of chickpea crops at pre-harvesting stages. In addition, these findings emphasize the importance of analyzing pre-harvesting stages to gain insights into the early involvement of WD in promoting plant health and, ultimately, in predicting final crop yields.

Biochemical Profiling and Characterization of Mesorhizobium ciceri Isolates from Chickpea Root Nodules: A Comprehensive Review

Mesorhizobium ciceri is a pivotal bacterium in the nitrogen fixation process of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), playing a crucial role in enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity. This comprehensive review delves into the biochemical profiling and characterization of M. ciceri isolates from chickpea root nodules. It details the methodologies employed for isolating and identifying these bacterial isolates, encompassing morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques. The review highlights various biochemical assays, including carbon source utilization, enzyme activity, and antibiotic resistance profiles, alongside genetic and phenotypic characterizations through 16S rRNA sequencing, multilocus sequence typing, and genomic fingerprinting and explores the implications of these findings for sustainable agriculture, focusing on biofertilizer development, soil health, and improved crop management. By providing an in-depth understanding of M. ciceri‘s role in chickpea symbiosis, this review aims to enhance strategies for sustainable agricultural practices and legume crop productivity.

Symbiotic efficiency of Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii strains originating from the subpolar and temperate climate regions

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a forage legume cultivated worldwide. This plant is capable of establishing a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar trifolii strains. To date, no comparative analysis of the symbiotic properties and heterogeneity of T. pratense microsymbionts derived from two distinct geographic regions has been performed. In this study, the symbiotic properties of strains originating from the subpolar and temperate climate zones in a wide range of temperatures (10–25 °C) have been characterized. Our results indicate that all the studied T. pratense microsymbionts from two geographic regions were highly efficient in host plant nodulation and nitrogen fixation in a wide range of temperatures. However, some differences between the populations and between the strains within the individual population examined were observed. Based on the nodC and nifH sequences, the symbiotic diversity of the strains was estimated. In general, 13 alleles for nodC and for nifH were identified. Moreover, 21 and 61 polymorphic sites in the nodC and nifH sequences were found, respectively, indicating that the latter gene shows higher heterogeneity than the former one. Among the nodC and nifH alleles, three genotypes (I–III) were the most frequent, whereas the other alleles (IV–XIII) proved to be unique for the individual strains. Based on the nodC and nifH allele types, 20 nodC-nifH genotypes were identified. Among them, the most frequent were three genotypes marked as A (6 strains), B (5 strains), and C (3 strains). Type A was exclusively found in the temperate strains, whereas types B and C were identified in the subpolar strains. The remaining 17 genotypes were found in single strains. In conclusion, our data indicate that R. leguminosarum sv. trifolii strains derived from two climatic zones show a high diversity with respect to the symbiotic efficiency and heterogeneity. However, some of the R. leguminosarum sv. trifolii strains exhibit very good symbiotic potential in the wide range of the temperatures tested; hence, they may be used in the future for improvement of legume crop production.

The impact of access to agricultural advisory services on input use and farm performance: Evidence from Senegal

AbstractPerformant agricultural advisory services (AAS) in Africa are crucial for improving the agricultural productivity and food security of the farm households. Yet, evidence‐based study on the impacts of AAS on farm performance are scarce, especially in West African countries. This study evaluates the impact of access to AAS on input use and farm performance in Senegal, employing the instrumental variable and control function approaches accounting for selection bias. The approaches are also employed to several sub‐samples to see if the impacts are heterogeneous across crop types and fertilizer use, and matching techniques are applied to test the robustness of the results. Results show that the highest positive impact of AAS is on yield, while the impacts on gross margin and improved seeds uptake are very modest. Access to AAS has no effect on fertilizer uptake. It also finds that AAS impacts positively cereal production and farmers using no fertilizer but has no effect on the legume and horticultural crop production and on farmers using fertilizer. Given the Senegalese government and donors have put a lot of effort into developing an efficient AAS system, a consideration of the identified weaknesses is required to improve its efficiency. [EconLit Citations: Q12, Q16]

Species-dependent effect of rhizobacteria co-inoculation in legume plants: A global meta-analysis

The microorganisms living in the rhizosphere significantly impact the growth and development of the plants they associate with. For instance, leguminous plants form relationships with both rhizobia and other rhizobacteria, and these partnerships can be influenced by the presence of a third microorganism. Given this context, this meta-analysis aims to assess the effect of co-inoculation of rhizobia and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on legumes of agricultural interest under different cultivation conditions. We collected quantitative data from 123 articles and 32 countries, encompassing various regions of the world, where the impact of rhizobia-rhizobacteria co-inoculation on the productivity and symbiotic characteristics of legume crops was evaluated. The moderating variables included the experimental conditions, legume species, rhizobia and rhizobacteria genera, the presence or absence of stress, and the soil's chemical attributes. The field and greenhouse data demonstrate that co-inoculation enhanced the attributes of all the included legume plants. Co-inoculation of legume crops with both rhizobia and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria increased the yields of the common bean (+34%), chickpea (+19%), and soybean (+2%). The most effective genera in increasing grain yield were Pseudomonas and Bacillus, followed by Azospirillum. Co-inoculation improved plant attributes under all stress conditions, with the best response observed in saline environments (mean increase of 37%). Co-inoculation proved beneficial regardless of the chemical composition of the soil, with a higher yield response observed at pH > 7 and soil organic carbon ≤1%. In summary, this study demonstrates that co-inoculation is superior to single inoculation with rhizobia, resulting in improved productivity of legume plants across various agronomic and environmental conditions.

Effects of Soil Rhizobia Abundance on Interactions between a Vector, Pathogen, and Legume Plant Host.

Soil rhizobia promote nitrogen fixation in legume hosts, maximizing their tolerance to different biotic stressors, plant biomass, crop growth, and yield. While the presence of soil rhizobia is considered beneficial for plants, few studies have assessed whether variation in rhizobia abundance affects the tolerance of legumes to stressors. To address this, we assessed the effects of variable soil rhizobia inoculum concentrations on interactions between a legume host (Pisum sativum), a vector insect (Acyrthosiphon pisum), and a virus (Pea enation mosaic virus, PEMV). We showed that increased rhizobia abundance reduces the inhibitory effects of PEMV on the nodule formation and root growth in 2-week-old plants. However, these trends were reversed in 4-week-old plants. Rhizobia abundance did not affect shoot growth or virus prevalence in 2- or 4-week-old plants. Our results show that rhizobia abundance may indirectly affect legume tolerance to a virus, but effects varied based on plant age. To assess the mechanisms that mediated interactions between rhizobia, plants, aphids, and PEMV, we measured the relative expression of gene transcripts related to plant defense signaling. Rhizobia concentrations did not strongly affect the expression of defense genes associated with phytohormone signaling. Our study shows that an abundance of soil rhizobia may impact a plant's ability to tolerate stressors such as vector-borne pathogens, as well as aid in developing sustainable pest and pathogen management systems for legume crops. More broadly, understanding how variable rhizobia concentrations can optimize legume-rhizobia symbiosis may enhance the productivity of legume crops.

The ability of bacteria from legume plant roots grown on former coal mining soil to produce Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA)

In general, coal mining is carried out openly using heavy equipment to take and move soil in the topsoil area until coal mining is possible to be conducted. As a consequence, the nutrient level is low because there is physical, chemical, and biological soil damage. Bioremediation is one of the alternatives to improve former coal mining land by utilizing soil microorganisms that have a role in soil plant hormone levels, such as auxin-produced root rhizosphere bacteria. This study aimed to isolate and characterize rhizosphere bacteria of legume plant roots grown on former coal mining soil, and to determine qualitatively and quantitatively its ability to produce IAA hormones. The characterizations include gram properties, colony morphology, arrangement of isolate, and cell shape. Then, the bacterial ability to produce IAA qualitatively and quantitatively respectively using the Salkowski method and spectrophotometry were tested. The results revealed that there were eleven isolates of legume plant root rhizosphere bacteria grown on the former coal mining soil that were able to produce IAA hormones with an average concentration of 15.949 ppm (2IA4); 10.762 ppm (4IIE3); 9.700 ppm (ID3); 9.422 ppm (3IB4); 7.970 ppm (2IA3); 7.847 ppm (6IIB3); 7.268 ppm (8IIIB4); 6.804 ppm (IIID5); 6.459 ppm (IE5); 5.379 ppm (7IIIB3); and 5.086 ppm (5IB3). Isolates of rhizosphere bacteria with the highest concentration have the potential to be chosen as a growth booster for legume plants grown on former coal mining soil to increase legume crop productivity.

Signaling in Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis.

Legumes represent an important source of food protein for human nutrition and animal feed. Therefore, sustainable production of legume crops is an issue of global importance. It is well-known that legume-rhizobia symbiosis allows an increase in the productivity and resilience of legume crops. The efficiency of this mutualistic association strongly depends on precise regulation of the complex interactions between plant and rhizobia. Their molecular dialogue represents a complex multi-staged process, each step of which is critically important for the overall success of the symbiosis. In particular, understanding the details of the molecular mechanisms behind the nodule formation and functioning might give access to new legume cultivars with improved crop productivity. Therefore, here we provide a comprehensive literature overview on the dynamics of the signaling network underlying the development of the legume-rhizobia symbiosis. Thereby, we pay special attention to the new findings in the field, as well as the principal directions of the current and prospective research. For this, here we comprehensively address the principal signaling events involved in the nodule inception, development, functioning, and senescence.

Role of Sulphur Fertilization in Legume Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Sulphur (S) is an indispensable macronutrient for plant growth and development, and its role in enhancing the productivity and quality of legume crops has garnered increased attention in agricultural research. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted significance of sulphur fertilization in legumes, shedding light on the pivotal role it plays in optimizing crop performance. From its involvement in amino acid synthesis and protein formation to its impact on chlorophyll production and antioxidant defense mechanisms, sulphur is a key player in the intricate web of plant metabolic processes. The review delves into the intricate molecular mechanisms that underlie sulphur assimilation and its impact on various physiological functions in legumes. Additionally, it investigates the influence of sulphur on legume crop quality parameters, emphasizing its effect on protein content and amino acid profiles, as well as its role in improving crop resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The symbiotic relationships between legumes and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia further complicate the sulphur scenario, making it imperative to dissect the dynamic interplay between these crucial elements. With a backdrop of changing agricultural practices, environmental concerns, and the increasing demand for sustainable food production, this review addresses the challenges and opportunities in sulphur fertilization. It also highlights the need for precise nutrient management strategies to harness the full potential of sulphur in legume crop production. In conclusion, this comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, agronomists, and policymakers, offering insights into the pivotal role of sulphur fertilization in enhancing the productivity, quality, and sustainability of legume crops in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.

Development of Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Combined with Lateral Flow Strips for Rapid Detection of Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus.

Cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV) is a global plant virus that poses a threat to the production and quality of legume crops. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective managing CPMMV outbreaks. With the advancement in isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification and lateral flow strips technologies, more rapid and sensitive methods have become available for detecting this pathogen. In this study, we have developed a reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification combined with lateral flow strips (RT-RPA-LFS) method for the detection of CPMMV, specifically targeting the CPMMV coat protein (CP) gene. The RT-RPA-LFS assay only requires 20 min at 40°C and demonstrates high specificity. Its detection limit was 10 copies/μl, which is approximately up to 100 times more sensitive than RT-PCR on agarose gel electrophoresis. The developed RT-RPA-LFS method offers a rapid, convenient, and sensitive approach for field detection of CPMMV, which contribute to controlling the spread of the virus.

Genetic resources and breeding of maize for Striga resistance: a review.

The potential yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and other major crops is curtailed by several biotic, abiotic, and socio-economic constraints. Parasitic weeds, Striga spp., are major constraints to cereal and legume crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yield losses reaching 100% are reported in maize under severe Striga infestation. Breeding for Striga resistance has been shown to be the most economical, feasible, and sustainable approach for resource-poor farmers and for being environmentally friendly. Knowledge of the genetic and genomic resources and components of Striga resistance is vital to guide genetic analysis and precision breeding of maize varieties with desirable product profiles under Striga infestation. This review aims to present the genetic and genomic resources, research progress, and opportunities in the genetic analysis of Striga resistance and yield components in maize for breeding. The paper outlines the vital genetic resources of maize for Striga resistance, including landraces, wild relatives, mutants, and synthetic varieties, followed by breeding technologies and genomic resources. Integrating conventional breeding, mutation breeding, and genomic-assisted breeding [i.e., marker-assisted selection, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, next-generation sequencing, and genome editing] will enhance genetic gains in Striga resistance breeding programs. This review may guide new variety designs for Striga-resistance and desirable product profiles in maize.

Potential Impacts of Future Climate Changes on Crop Productivity of Cereals and Legumes in Tamil Nadu, India: A Mid-Century Time Slice Approach

Climate change is a terrible global concern and one of the greatest future threats to societal development as a whole. The accelerating pace of climate change is becoming a major challenge for agricultural production and food security everywhere. The present study uses the midcentury climate derived from the ensemble of 29 general circulation models (GCMs) on a spatial grid to quantify the anticipated climate change impacts on rice, maize, black gram, and red gram productivity over Tamil Nadu state in India under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. The future climate projections show an unequivocal increase of annual maximum temperature varying from 0.9 to 2.2°C for RCP 4.5 and 1.4 to 2.7°C in RCP 8.5 scenario by midcentury, centered around 2055 compared to baseline (1981–2020). The projected rise in minimum temperature ranges from 1.0 to 2.2°C with RCP 4.5 and 1.8 to 2.7°C under RCP 8.5 scenario. Among the monsoons, the southwest monsoon (SWM) is expected to be warmer than the northeast monsoon (NEM). Annual rainfall is predicted to increase up to 20% under RCP 4.5 scenario in two-third of the area over Tamil Nadu. Similarly, RCP 8.5 scenario indicates the possibility of an increase in rainfall in the midcentury with higher magnitude than RCP 4.5. Both SWM and NEM seasons are expected to receive higher rainfall during midcentury under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 than the baseline. In the midcentury, climate change is likely to pose a negative impact on the productivity of rice, maize, black gram, and red gram with both RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios in most places of Tamil Nadu. The magnitude of the decline in yield of all four crops would be more with RCP 8.5 over RCP 4.5 scenario in Tamil Nadu. Future climate projections made through multi-climate model ensemble could increase the plausibility of future climate change impact assessment on crop productivity. The adverse effects of climate change on cereal and legume crop productivity entail the potential adaptation options to ensure food security.

Biochemical content and yield of some cultivars of green bean (<I>Phaseolus vulgaris</I> L.) under Moscow region conditions

Relevance. Increased demand in Russia for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties of domestic breeding has stimulated the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center of breeding to intensify research on the creation of new asparagus bean varieties of vegetable direction.Materials and methods. Four vegetable bean varieties – Secunda, Lika, Ulyasha, Si Bemol of the laboratory of selection and seed production of vegetable Legume crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center were used as the material for the study. The counts and observations were made according to the Methodology of the State Variety Trial of Agricultural Crops, 1975. The count of productivity was carried out in the technical stage of ripeness by replications. Harvesting was carried out when the biological stage of ripeness was reached. Biochemical studies of plants were carried out in the laboratoryanalytical department of the FSBSI FSVC. The biochemical composition of vegetable bean (green bean) varieties was studied according to the following indicators: determination of the total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid, dry matter, polyphenols, monosaccharides, total sugar content and starch.Results. Evaluation of samples by aggregate factors contributes to the selection of the most promising and high-quality varieties for their introduction into production. As a result of the research of vegetable bean on the main economically valuable features and biochemical composition for the period from 2018 to 2020, the varieties Lika and Ulyasha were selected. They were distinguished by high productivity of beans and seeds. Green bean variety Lika was noted for the highest total content of water-soluble antioxidants, ascorbic acid and the total of sugars content, the green bean variety "lobio" Ulyasha - high content of polyphenols and the total of antioxidants in the alcohol extract. Stable high yield, adaptive potential and high quality of beans, confirmed by the results of biochemical evaluation, allow us to recommend these varieties for consumption by the population as part of the diet and as an alternative to meat and dairy products.

Interaction of rhizobia with native AM fungi shaped biochar effect on soybean growth

While biochar amendment is widely recommended as an excellent agricultural management practice, the biochar effect on the productivity of legume crops with symbiotic microorganisms has been poorly elucidated. Hence, a pot experiment was conducted by growing soybean with or without commercial rhizobia inoculation in an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi rich sandy soil amended with wheat straw biochar produced respectively at 350 °C, 450 °C, and 550 °C. We tested the effect of biochar on soybean–rhizobia symbiosis and its impact on plant growth, leaf gas exchange and mycorrhizal colonisation. In brief, rhizobia inoculation, without biochar, increased net photosynthetic rate by 81% and plant total biomass by 44% compared to no inoculation (the control). Without inoculation, amendment of low-temperature biochar (350 ºC) resulted in higher (by 51%) plant biomass than high-temperature (550 °C) biochar. With rhizobia inoculation, low-temperature biochar decreased plant biomass by 9.3% compared to high-temperature biochar. Further, soybean with rhizobia under high-temperature biochar decreased plant biomass by 17% compared to rhizobia inoculation only but increased by 19% compared to the control. Soybean leaf gas exchange capacity and root morphological traits were consistent with plant biomass but symbiotic activity showed small differences among all the treatments. Overall, N-fixing rhizobia could alter the biochar effect on soybean in soil rich in indigenous AM fungi, depending on the pyrolysis temperature of the biochar used. Low-temperature biochar stimulated soybean growth greater than high-temperature biochar, while rhizobia shifted biochar’s positive effect. • Pyrolysis temperature shaped biochar effect on soybean growth with and without rhizobia inoculation in a sandy soil. • Soybean growth without rhizobia inoculation is promoted rather by biochar-350 °C than by biochar-550 °C. • A tradeoff on soybean plant growth between biochar and rhizobia inoculation. • Soil inorganic N correlated with root morphology while leaf gas exchange responded to soil NO 3 - .

Phenotypic and Biochemical Characterization of Rhizobia Associated with Medicagopolymorpha Growing in Rajasthan

In present study, a total of 15rhizobial isolates were isolated from the root nodules of Medicagopolymorphagrowing in Jaipur and were characterized for their phenotypic, biochemical and plant growth promoting activities. The root nodules of M. polymorpha were elongated, branched and indeterminate. All isolated rhizobia were highly diverse in their physiological traits. Based on colony morphology, all isolates were categorized into six groups. Major group containing 6 isolates (MP1, MP3, MP9, MP10, MP11 and MP13) showed white, opaque, raised, smooth edges, non-gummy, and mucilaginous characteristics. Four rhizobia strains MP3, MP4, MP9, and MP15 showed salt-tolerance up to 3% and were well adapted to high alkaline conditions and exhibited growth in extremely alkaline media (pH 10). Majority of strains showed positive result for IAA production, nitrate reductase and catalase activity. In addition, citrate utilization, ammonia production, phosphate solubilization and cellulase activity were observed in few isolates. In present study, some rhizobia isolates like MP3, and MP15 were very versatile rhizobia that showed high plant growth promoting activities (IAA production and phosphate solubilization) and were also tolerant to high pH and salt concentration. Such type of superior rhizobia can be part of biofertilizers to enhance legume crop productivity in an ecofriendly manner without application of chemical fertilizers. Our study suggested that rhizobia isolates associated with Medicagopolymorpha were significantly diverse in their physiological and biochemical parameters

Diversity of Traditional Grain Legumes of Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand: A Review

Due to distinct agro-climatic, geological and edaphic characters in hilly region of Uttarakhand owing the large genetic diversity of crop species, vegetation and indigenously developed land races. Due to less water and other external inputs requirement traditional legume crops are well suited to rainfed condition of hilly region of Uttarakhand. These traditional legume crops are rich in taste, odour, colour, nutritional values, medicinal and soil fertility enhancement characteristics. But due to increased population pressure, changed food habit, lack of innovative agricultural technology, environment conservation policies and increased market forces a shift from traditional to modern intensive agriculture system during the past few decades resulted in decline in area and production of traditional legume crops. For increasing the area and production (61.18 thousand ha and 53.63 thousand ton) of traditional legume crops, a suitable long-term strategies and management practices for strengthening the distribution facilities for produce and availability of market for conservation of traditional legume crops needs to be worked out in the state.