An evaluation of potential Rhizobium inoculant strains used for pulse production in acidic soils of south-east Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Acidic Soil ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Inoculant Strain

Profitability of the pulse industry relies considerably on crop nitrogen fixation because this process supplies greater than 60% of pulse crop nitrogen. Therefore the industry requires the most efficient Rhizobium symbioses and effective inoculation management. Re-appraisal of the recommended inoculant strain for field pea, SU303, in south-east Australia, was warranted by field evidence that SU303 failed to maximise grain yield at sites in Western Australia. Re-appraisal of the inoculant strain for faba bean and lentil, WSM1274, was warranted because of anecdotal evidence from Western Australia of associated crop failures. In addition, a glasshouse study in Western Australia reported greater dry matter production by faba bean and lentil inoculated with strains other than WSM1274. This paper reports trials comparing potential inoculant strains for field pea and faba bean in soils of south-east Australia. Comparisons are based on efficiency for nitrogen fixation, survival on seed and survival in soil. Additionally, because the pulse industry lacked comprehensive information to assist decision making on the need for recurring inoculation, relevant investigation of this issue is also reported. The results of 3 field experiments for efficiency for nitrogen fixation, over mildly (pHCa 5.0) to strongly (pHCa 4.3) acidic soil in south-east Australia supported replacing SU303 as the commercial inoculant. The efficiency for nitrogen fixation of WSM1274 on faba bean was not found to be inferior to alternative strains. However, its capacity for survival on seed at temperatures of 15°C and above, over a wide range of relative humidity, and perhaps its capacity for survival in acidic soil, was inferior. This provided additional evidence to justify the replacement of this inoculant strain that was agreed to by a national steering committee in 2001, based on the Western Australia reports, the early experiments in this study and those of a collaborative study in Victoria. Alternative inoculant strains to SU303 and WSM1274 were identified in the current study. Temperature and relative humidity conditions suitable for maintaining inoculant viability with extended storage of inoculated field pea and faba bean are also discussed. A survey of rhizobia surviving in soil was used to determine the time scale of persistence of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae and Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lupinus) in soils of the south-east. It was concluded that in soils of pH (CaCl2) <5.1, inoculation of field pea and faba bean should be routinely practiced; none of the strains of R. leguminosarum bv. viciae tested showed ability for survival in strongly acidic soil sufficient to obviate seed inoculation. It was further concluded that the absence of a legume host for lupin rhizobia for 4 or more years would also warrant reintroducing inoculant of B. sp. (Lupinus).

scholarly journals Mineral Fertilizer Demand for Optimum Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Yield Potentials of Legumes in Northern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimbahri Mesfin ◽  
Girmay Gebresamuel ◽  
Mitiku Haile ◽  
Amanuel Zenebe ◽  
Girma Desta
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Biological Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Biological Nitrogen

Farmers in Northern Ethiopia integrate legumes in their cropping systems to improve soil fertility. However, biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) potentials of different legumes and their mineral nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) demands for optimum BNF and yields are less studied. This study aimed to generate the necessary knowledge to enable development of informed nutrient management recommendations, guide governmental public policy and assist farmer decision making. The experiment was conducted at farmers’ fields with four N levels, three P levels, and three replications. Nodule number and dry biomass per plant were assessed. Nitrogen difference method was used to estimate the amount of fixed N by assuming legume BNF was responsible for differences in plant N and soil mineral N measured between legume treatments and wheat. The result revealed that the highest grain yields of faba bean (2531 kg ha−1), field pea (2493 kg ha−1) and dekeko (1694 kg ha−1) were recorded with the combined application of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1. Faba bean, field pea and dekeko also fixed 97, 38 and 49 kg N ha−1, respectively, with the combined application of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1; however, lentil fixed 20 kg ha−1 with the combined application of 10 kg N ha−1 and 10 kg P ha−1. The average BNF of legumes in the average of all N and P interaction rates were 67, 23, 32 and 16 kg N ha−1 for faba bean, field pea, dekeko and lentil, respectively. Moreover, faba bean, field pea, dekeko and lentil accumulated a surplus soil N of 37, 21, 26 and 13 kg ha−1, respectively, over the wheat plot. The application of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1 levels alone and combined significantly (p < 0.05) increased the nodulation, BNF and yield of legumes; however, 46 kg N ha-1 significantly decreased BNF. This indicated that the combination of 20 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1 levels is what mineral fertilizer demands to optimize the BNF and yield of legumes. The results of this study can lead to the development of policy and farmer guidelines, as intensification of the use of legumes supplied with starter N and P fertilizers in Northern Ethiopian cropping systems has the multiple benefits of enhancing inputs of fixed N, improving the soil N status for following crops, and becoming a sustainable option for sustainable soil fertility management practice.

Requirement of field pea for inoculation with Rhizobium and lime pelleting in soils of Western Australia

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 767 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Evans ◽  
C Wallace ◽  
N Dobrowolski ◽  
I Pritchard ◽  
B Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Acidic Ph ◽  
Rhizobium Strain ◽  
South West ◽  
Seed Inoculation ◽  
Soil Responses

The requirement of field pea (Pisum sativum) for seed inoculation with Rhizobium and for lime pelleting of inoculated seed was investigated in field experiments in the south-west of Western Australia, especially at locations where inoculated field pea had been grown 2 years previously. At most sites with previous pea cropping, the nodulation, total dry matter and nitrogen, and grain yield of pea were not improved by seed inoculation or lime pelleting. At these sites soil populations of R. leguminosarum by. viciae at sowing were >103/g soil. Responses to inoculation were measured at sites where the soil was very acidic [pH(CaCl2) <4.5], or mildly acidic (to pH 4.9) and of light texture (>90% sand + gravel), or where pea had not grown previously. There were fewer rhizobia at sowing at these locations. Lime pelleting was not generally required to maximise field pea growth or yield, but yield was affected by the inoculant Rhizobium strain.

Grain field of Fiord faba bean in relation to strain of Rhizobium

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Silsbury
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Inoculant Strain ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Inoculation Group ◽  
Present Group ◽  
Better Than

Drill-sown field experiments were established in 1988 at each of 6 sites in the cereal districts of South Australia to assess the responses of Fiord faba bean to inoculation with 2 different strains of Rhizobium. Each trial was sown and managed in co-operation with a farmer using standard farm equipment. The 4 inoculation treatments imposed were: no inoculation; Group E, strain SU 391; strain SU 303; SU 391 + SU 303. Samples were taken during early vegetative growth for determination of nodulation, nodule activity and plant dry weight. Inoculation significantly (P<0.05) improved nodulation, with SU 303 being better than SU 391, but early plant growth did not respond to inoculation. Grain yield at the end of the season was improved an average of 20% by inoculation; 15% for SU 391 and 28 % for SU 303. It is concluded that SU 303 is a better inoculant for Fiord faba bean than the present Group E inoculant, strain SU 391.

Narbon bean (Vicia narbonensis) agronomy in south-western Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1355
Author(s):  
M. Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Vicia Narbonensis ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Wide Range

Narbon bean (Vicia narbonensis L.) shows promise as a fodder, green manure and grain crop in south-western Australia. This study examines the effect of time of sowing (2 experiments), plant density (3 experiments) and reaction to herbicides (4 experiments on tolerance to herbicides and 1 experiment on removing narbon bean from a wheat crop) in 10 separate field experiments sown at 4 locations in the mallee region of Western Australia from 1998 to 2001. Narbon bean was found to be unresponsive to changes in sowing date with yield maintained until the first week of June. The optimum plant density (90% of fitted maximum) for seed yield was found to be 31 plants/m2, equivalent to sowing rates in the range of 75–100 kg/ha. A wide range of herbicides applied either before sowing or immediately after sowing and before emergence had no significant effect on grain yield. These included simazine (750 g a.i./ha), cyanazine (1.25 kg a.i./ha) and diuron (500 g a.i./ha), which were applied immediately before sowing, and imazethapyr (29 g a.i./ha), which was applied after sowing, before emergence. Diflufenican (75 g a.i./ha) was found to be the only available option for post-emergence control of broadleaf weeds. The use of the non-selective herbicides glyphosate (450 g a.i./L) and Sprayseed 250 (paraquat 135 g a.i./L and diquat 115 g a.i./L) as post-emergence herbicides was found to be unpredictable at a range of application rates. Results ranged from a yield loss of 47% to a yield increase of 23%. In an experiment to test a range of herbicides for the selective control of narbon bean within a wheat crop, numerous herbicides were found to effectively remove volunteer narbon bean indicating that narbon bean is unlikely to become a weed in most cereal cropping systems.

Evaluation of coated seeds as a Rhizobium delivery system for field pea

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. Rice ◽  
G. W. Clayton ◽  
N. Z. Lupwayi ◽  
P. E. Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Pisum Sativum L ◽  
Field Peas ◽  
Key Words Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Ph Standard ◽  
Key Words Nitrogen

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted with field peas (Pisum sativum, L.) in soils of pH 4.4 to 6.8 to determine the best rate of inoculation with rhizobium and to evaluate pre-inoculated (coated) seeds as an alternative to the traditional seed inoculation method of using sticking agents. Inoculation rates higher than 105 cells seed–1 were usually required for high nodulation, nitrogen fixation and grain yields. Therefore, Canadian standards, which require that 105 nodulating rhizobia be delivered per seed for large-seed legumes like peas, may need to be increased. Counts of rhizobia on coated seeds were about 3 log units lower than those on freshly inoculated seeds, but coated seeds significantly outperformed standard seed-inoculated seeds in nodulation and crop yield in acid soils (pH 4.4 and 4.7). However, field pea yields were too low to have commercial value at these low pH levels. In soils with higher pH, standard inoculation resulted in greater nodulation and yield, but the differences were not always significant. It is concluded that the use of coated seeds provides a yield advantage for field pea grown on acid soils, but liming would probably be a better option. Use of coated seeds on other soils will depend on the trade-off between the time and money saved in inoculation in order to seed early and a possible reduction in yield due to insufficient numbers of rhizobia being applied. Key words: Nitrogen fixation, nodulation, Pisum sativum, pre-inoculated seeds

Incidence of virus infection in experimental plots, commercial crops, and seed stocks of cool season crop legumes

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Latham ◽  
R. A. C. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Experimental Plots

Experimental plots of cool season crop legumes growing at diverse locations in Western Australia were inspected for plants with suspect virus symptoms over 4 growing seasons (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999), and plant samples were tested for infection with alfalfa mosaic (AMV), bean yellow mosaic (BYMV), cucumber mosaic (CMV), and pea seed-borne mosaic (PSbMV) viruses. All 4 viruses were detected in faba bean (Vicia faba); BYMV, CMV, and PSbMV in field pea (Pisum sativum); AMV, CMV, and PSbMV in lentil (Lens culinaris); and AMV and CMV in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Among minor crop species, AMV, BYMV, and CMV were found in narbon bean (V. narbonensis) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus); BYMV and CMV in dwarf chickling (L. cicera); BYMV in bitter vetch (V. e r v i l i a ) and L. clymenum; and AMV in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Incidences of individual viruses varied widely from site to site but plot infection sometimes reached 100%. Symptom severity varied widely with virus–crop combination. In large-scale surveys of commercial crops of field pea and faba bean over 2 (1998, 1999) and 3 (1994, 1998, 1999) growing seasons, respectively, randomly collected samples from each crop were tested for presence of AMV, BYMV, CMV, and PSbMV. In 1999 they were also tested for beet western yellows virus (BWYV). All 5 viruses were detected in both species. BWYV was found in 35% of faba bean and 56% of the field pea crops sampled in 1999, with incidences of infection in individual crops up to 40% and 49%, respectively. PSbMV was found in 42% and BYMV in 18% of field pea crops in 1999. In individual crops, highest infection incidences of BYMV and PSbMV detected were 31% for BYMV in faba bean in 1998 and 9% for PSbMV in field pea in 1999. CMV and AMV incidences in both species never exceeded 7% of crops or 4% of plants within individual crops. Infection by 2 different viruses within individual crops was common, even 3 were sometimes found. Cultivars infected with most viruses were Fiesta and Fiord for faba bean, and Dundale, Laura, and Magnet for field pea. BYMV was detected in the crop tested of dwarf chickling. In tests on seed samples from Western Australia of 30 commercial seed stocks of field pea, 11 of faba bean, and 50 of chickpea, PSbMV was detected in 11, 1, and 1, respectively; CMV in 1, 1, and 3; BYMV in 3, 1, and 0; and AMV in 0, 0, and 1. This appears to be the first record of seed transmission of CMV in pea and faba bean. Seed samples from Victoria were also found to contain viruses: PSbMV in pea and AMV in lentil. Widespread infection with viruses in evaluation plots and commercial crops of cool season crop legumes is a cause for concern, especially where individual crop incidences are high and 2 or more viruses are present. Sowing of infected seed stocks leads to introduction of randomly dispersed sources of virus infection within the crop sown, resulting in spread of infection and yield losses. Appropriate control measures are discussed.

Grain yield and cadmium concentration of a range of grain legume species grown on two soil types at Merredin, Western Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Brennan ◽  
R. J. French
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Cadmium Concentration ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Lupinus Luteus ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Red Clay ◽  
Yellow Lupin

Five grain legumes species, narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.), were grown on 2 soil types, a red clay and red duplex soil, in the < 400 mm rainfall district of Western Australia. The study showed that chickpea, field pea and faba bean accumulated less cadmium (Cd) in dried shoots and grain than narrow-leafed lupin. Yellow lupin had Cd concentrations ~3 times higher in dried shoots and ~9 times higher in grain than narrow-leafed lupin. For both experiments, the ranking (lowest to highest) of mean Cd concentration (mg Cd/kg) in the grain was: chickpea (0.017) < field pea (0.024) = faba bean (0.024) < narrow-leafed lupin (0.033) < yellow lupin (0.300).

A comparison of seed yields of winter grain legumes in Western Australia

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 915 ◽  
Author(s):  
KHM Siddique ◽  
GH Walton ◽  
M Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Black Spot ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Alkaline Soils ◽  
Narrow Leaf ◽  
Seed Yields

Field trials were conducted in 2 seasons at 13 sites on neutral to alkaline soils in Western Australia, to compare the growth and seed yield of 6 winter grain legume species: field pea (Pisum sativum L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), narrow leaf lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), albus lupin (L. albus). In a dry year (1991), overall site mean seed yield was highest for field pea (1.35 t/ha), then faba bean (1.22 t/ha) and narrow leaf lupin (0.85 t/ha). Chickpea, lentil line ILL5728, and albus lupin produced an average seed yield of 0.64 t/ha. Rainfall in 1992 was above average and seed yields of all species except field pea were higher than in 1991. Heavy rainfall in winter and spring caused transient waterlogging at several sites, affecting growth and seed yield of most species. Faba bean responded positively to the increase in rainfall and produced exceptional seed yields of >4 t/ha at 3 sites. Mean seed yield was highest for faba bean, at 2.87 t/ha, then narrow leaf lupin (1.19 t/ha), chickpea (1.1 t/ha), and field pea (1.0 t/ha). Field pea performed poorly at several sites due to its susceptibility to transient waterlogging and black spot disease (caused by Mycosphaerella pinoides). Albus lupin and lentil line ILL5728 produced similar seed yields (0.78 t/ha). Lentil cvv. Laird (1991) and Kye (1992) had low seed yields due to poor adaptation. Seed yield differences between species at various locations were not simply related to any soil chemical parameters or to depth to clay. On a calcareous soil of pH(CaC12) 8 at Dongara, the growth of narrow leaf lupin was severely affected and the crop failed. Days to flowering varied between species; faba bean was earliest to flower (76 days), then field pea. Faba bean and field pea (particularly in 1991) generally produced the most dry matter, both early and at final harvest. The relationship between seed yield and rainfall was complicated by transient waterlogging and fungal disease (e.g. black spot in field pea) at many sites. Seed yield was significantly positively related to final dry matter production but not to harvest index.

Responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to sowing rate in south-western Australia. I. Seed yield and economic optimum plant density

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 989 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jettner ◽  
S. P. Loss ◽  
L. D. Martin ◽  
K. H. M. Siddique
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Asymptotic Model ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Commercial Practice ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
The Cost

Sowing rate influences plant establishment, growth, seed yield, and the profitability of a crop. However, there is limited published information on the optimum sowing rate and plant density for faba bean in Australia. The response of the growth and seed yield of faba bean (cv. Fiord) to sowing rate (70-270 kg/ha) was examined in 19 field experiments conducted over 3 years in south-western Australia. The economic optimum plant density was estimated at each site by fitting an asymptotic model to the data and calculating the point where the cost of extra seed equalled the return from additional seed yield, allowing a 10% opportunity cost for the extra investment. On average across all sites and seasons, only 71% of the seeds sown emerged. Increasing sowing rate resulted in more dry matter production at first flower and at maturity, and at about half of the sites there was a small trend of reduced harvest index. In general, the mean number of seeds per pod (1·8-2·6) and mean seed weight (32-45 g/100 seeds) were unaffected by sowing rate. As sowing rate increased, the number of pods per plant (5-35) generally decreased, but this was compensated by the large plant population and more pods per unit area. The asymptotic models fitted to the seed yield data accounted for 15-81% of the variance. In 8 experiments, the models indicated that yield was continuing to increase substantially as sowing rate increased at the largest sowing rate treatment. The estimated optimum plant densities in these experiments were beyond the range of the data or had large standard errors and, hence, were excluded from any further consideration. Among the remaining 11 experiments, the estimated optimum plant densities varied from 31 to 63 plants/m2, with a mean of 45 plants/m2. This study demonstrates that targeting sowing rates greater than the current commercial practice for faba bean in southern Australia of 15-30 plants/m2 results in more yield and profit. Additional experiments are required with sowing rates in excess of 270 kg/ha to estimate accurately the optimum plant density for faba bean. Fungal diseases were either absent or controlled with fungicides in these experiments but the interactions between disease, time of sowing, and sowing rates also deserve further attention.

A brief history of Nitrogen fixation

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
George J. Leigh
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chemical Problem

<div>Nitrogen furation has been a subject of great interest to chemists for the best part of a century. As a chemical problem it is possibly unique because the research has really been led by biologists for most of this time. Currently it is being studied by a wide range of scientists of many different stripes, and the interplay between them lends fascination to the topic. Even more, nitrogen futation has been used by humans for at least two thousand years even though the primitive agriculturalists could not have been aware of what was going on.</div><div> </div>

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