Nodulation

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) soybean cultivar TGx 1440 -1E cultivation for grain yields and soil microbiome with different soil amendments in humid tropics in the late cropping season of 2010, Abeokuta, Nigeria, at Latitude 70 121 N and Longitude 30 251 E in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Treatments application includes: agro-waste recycled to biofertilizer in anaerobic biodigester with two biofertilizer formulations (GF1 and GF2), sunshine fertilizer (SF) and chemical fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10).  Soybean vegetative growth parameters, nodulation, amount of nitrogen fixed, yield and yield components were determined at 8 weeks after planting (WAP). GF2 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher number of leaves. GF1 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher number of pods and seed weight/plant with lower biological nitrogen fixation, compared to other treatments. Soybean cultivars breeders should integrate biofertilizer into seed development programme, that bypass the naturalized soil rhizobia and nodulate only with highly effective inoculant strains under environmental stress, improved  soil resilience for climate mitigation with rhizosphere-microbial interactions to manage soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Smart agriculture framework developed impacts on trans-disciplinary approach, soya bean cultivation nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), remote access to agriculture data in real-time, crop development, supply chain management, profitability and biofertilizer varietal characteristics.
KEYWORDS | Soya bean, Biofertilizer, Biological nitrogen fixation, Soil Health, Nodulation, Rhizobium,    Sensors, Wicked Problems, Agriculture 5.0, Rhizosphere engineering, Microbiome.

Nodules were collected at bi weekly intervals from legumes grown in three rainy seasons in Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. The legumes include cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), groundnut (Arachis hypogea (L.)) and soybean (Glycine max (L.)) treated with nitrogen fertilizer at 0 and 20kgN/ha and phosphorus fertilizer at 0, 13.2, 26.4 and 39.6kgP/ha. The treatments were laid out in a split-split plot design and replicated three times. The legumes were randomly allocated to the main plot, the phosphorus fertilizer levels to the sub plot and the nitrogen level to the sub-sub plot. The results showed that application of nitrogen at 20kgN/ha significantly (P≤0.05) reduced number of nodules at 2week after sowing (WAS) only. On the other hand, application of phosphorus at 26.4kgP/ha significantly (P≤0.05) produced higher number of nodules throughout the study period than the other levels used. Amongst the legumes, groundnut consistently and significantly (P≤0.05) gave higher number of nodules than cowpea and soybean. The cropping season of 2005 significantly (P≤0.05) produced higher number of nodules than 2004 and 2006 rainy seasons.

Soybean is an important crop with nutrition, economic and soil fertility improvement benefits to farmers. However, its production in western Kenya is partly constrained by low soil pH and soil fertility levels. A greenhouse pot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilizers, farmyard manure and lime application on soil pH, nutrient uptake, growth and nodulation of soybean grown in acidic soils from western Kenya. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments: control; NPK; manure; lime; manure+lime; NPK+manure; NPK+lime and manure+lime+NPK. Significant effects of inorganic fertilizers, manure and lime applications were observed on all the variables. Manure, lime and manure+lime treatments increased soil pH by 1.33, 2.19 and 2.28, respectively, above the control treatment. The shoot N was lower under control (1.71-1.81%), NPK (1.85-1.98%) and manure (2.00-2.11%) than under all other treatments. Treatments NPK+lime and manure+lime+NPK recorded higher uptake of P and K nutrients than all other treatments. The control and NPK treatments recorded shorter plants and low leaf area and above-ground biomass compared to other treatments. The NPK+lime and manure+lime+NPK treatments recorded higher plant height and aboveground biomass than other treatments. Lime+manure treatment recorded highest nodule numbers and dry weights per plant. Positive relationships were observed between pH and N, P and K nutrient uptake (R 2 ranged between 0.30 and 0.77) and between biomass and N, P and K nutrient uptake (R 2 ranged between 0.68 and 0.99). From this study, use of manure and lime could result in improved soil pH for better uptake of nutrients, nodule formation and productivity of soybean in Western Kenya.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), a crop with a long history in Ethiopian agriculture, is known to form a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobia). In the current study, Rhizobium bacteria nodulating fenugreek in the East and North Shewa of Ethiopia, where the plant is commonly grown, were collected and characterized. All isolated strains were fast growing on Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar (YEMA) plates. After 3 days of incubation at 30°C, the rounded colonies had mucous transparent to creamy appearance. Most isolates were able to produce acid after 72 h of incubation and only three isolates slightly absorbed Congo red. Heterotrophic competence among isolates was also observed from their utilization capabilities of various carbon and nitrogen sources. Interestingly, the isolates showed strong tolerance to different eco-physiological parameters (pH, temperature, salt concentration, and intrinsic antibiotic resistance). Plants inoculated with different isolates showed differences with respect to nodule number and dry weight and shoot dry weight. Two isolates (AAUFR-26 and AAUFR-30) from North Shewa, representing 12.5% of the isolates, were highly effective (> 80%) in forming symbiosis with fenugreek whereas, 67% were found to be effective (50-80%). More shoot dry weight were observed for whichisolates from North Shewa were inoculated, indicating that some soil-related factors such as
pH might have affected the symbiotic effectiveness. Overall, the present study provides a baseline data for further
investigations on nitrogen fixation capability of fenugreek associated Rhizobial strains so that efficient isolates may be used as biofertilizers in areas where indigenous Rhizobium failed to nodulate fenugreek. Get more articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-1-july-2015-ijaar/

Pakistan is among top three chickpea producing countries but the crop is usually grown on marginal lands without irrigation and fertilizer application which significantly hampers its yield. Soil fertility and inoculation with beneficial rhizobacteria play a key role in nodulation and yield of legumes. Four kabuli and six desi chickpea genotypes were, therefore, evaluated for inoculation response with IAA-producing Ochrobactrum ciceri Ca-34T and nitrogen fixing Mesorhizobium ciceri TAL-1148 in single and co-inoculation in two soils. The soil type 1 was previously unplanted marginal soil having low organic matter, P and N contents compared to soil type 2 which was a fertile routinely legume-cultivated soil. The effect of soil fertility status was pronounced and fertile soil on average, produced 31% more nodules, 62% more biomass and 111% grain yield than marginal soil. Inoculation either with O. ciceri alone or its co-inoculation with M. ciceri produced on average higher nodules (42%), biomass (31%), grains yield (64%) and harvest index (72%) in both chickpea genotypes over non-inoculated controls in both soils. Soil 1 showed maximum relative effectiveness of Ca-34T inoculation for kabuli genotypes while soil 2 showed for desi genotypes except B8/02. Desi genotype B8/02 in soil type 1 and Pb-2008 in soil type 2 showed significant yield increase as compared to respective un-inoculated controls. Across bacterial inoculation treatments, grain yield was positively correlated to growth and yield contributing parameters (r = 0.294* to 0.838*** for desi and r = 0.388* to 0.857** for kabuli). PCA and CAT-PCA analyses clearly showed a site-specific response of genotype x bacterial inoculation. Furthermore, the inoculated bacterial strains were able to persist in the rhizosphere showing colonization on root and within nodules. Present study shows that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation should be integrated with national chickpea breading program in Pakistan especially for marginal soils. Furthermore, the study shows the potential of phytohormone producing strain Ca-34T as promising candidate for development of biofertilizer alongwith nodulating strains to get sustainable yield of kabuli and desi chickpea with minimum inputs at marginal land.

— A pot study was carried out on an improved soybean variety (TGX 1448-2E) to assess the effects of seed management on its nodulation and yield. The experiment was in factorial combinations with six replicates at the teaching and research farm of University of Abuja. The factors were 2 soils, 2 levels of phosphorus fertilizer (-P and + P), and 2 seed sources (farmer's and researcher's managed seeds). P was applied as triple superphosphate at 30 kg P ha-1. Destructive sampling was done at 8 weeks after planting to record growth parameters and nodulation. At maturity, the number and weight of pods, weight of 50 seeds and total seed yield were recorded. The results showed that generally researchers' managed seeds showed a significantly higher mean values than farmers' managed seeds. The pod and total seed weight from researchers' seeds were 106.26 g and 52.43 g per plant respectively against the farmers' managed seed with pod weight of 80.23 g and total seed weight of 44.35 g per plant. P application influenced significantly the weight of nodules, pods and seeds per plant. This significant lower performance observed in farmers' managed seeds could have resulted from factors such poor seed handling or mix up during harvesting or storage, poor quality s eed selection for planting.

The effect of the organic fertilizer Humustim on some parameters related to the nodulation and grain yield stability of spring forage peas and vetch was tested in a field trial. Pea plants showed the best supply of root mass with nodules and the longest duration of life cycle of nodules after pre-sowing seed treatment with Humustim at a rate of 0.6 and 1.2 L/t. The sustainable grain yield index was the highest for both peas and vetch after pre-sowing seed treatment with Humustim at a rate of 1.2 L/t + one treatment during vegetation. Using Humustim is recommended in addition to the cultivation technology of spring forage peas and vetch within the modern trends of organic farming.

Poor soil fertility and associated low soil pH adversely affect the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) on reddish-brown Nitisols of central highlands of Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted at Holetta Agricultural Research Centre in 2001 and 2002 cropping seasons to study the effect of phosphorus fertilizer on the yield and yield components of faba bean. Five levels of phosphorus fertilizer (0, 13, 26, 39 and 52 kg P ha-1) in the form of triple super-phosphate were laid out in randomised complete block design with four replications. Results indicated a positive linear response of faba bean seed yield to phosphorus fertilizer applications. Plant height, number of pods per plant, nodulation score and plant biomass of faba bean were positively (P  0.01 and P  0.001) influenced by P applications. The application of P fertilizer at the rates of 13, 26, 39 and 52 kg P ha-1 also resulted in a linear response with seed yield increment of 24, 31, 38 and 48 %, respectively over the control. The results of economic analysis showed that application of 13 kg P ha-1 was found to have the highest marginal rate of return for faba bean production.

Key words: Acidic soil, faba bean, Nitisol, phosphate fertilizer, yield

The livestock industry plays an important role in the economy of Bulgaria by contributing a large portion of gross agricultural products. Increased demand for livestock products has led to corresponding increases in demand for forage. Considering the importance of legumes in forage production, this study was undertaken to explore nodulating status of Papilionoid legumes of Bulgaria. Nodulating ability was examined in 172 legumes of Bulgaria distributed in 10 Papilionoid tribes. Nodules were observed in 61 legume species growing in the greenhouse or under natural field conditions. Nodulation is reported for the first time in five of the Papilionoid legume species (Lathyrus alpestris (Waldst. & Kit.) Kit., Lathyrus pannonicus (Jacq.) Garcke, Medicago rhodopea Velen., Onobrychis alba (Waldst. & Kit.) Desv.), Pisum sativum L. var. elatius (Steven ex M. Bieb.) Alef.) found in Bulgaria. Nodulating status of 111 legume species was checked as reported in the literature and nodulation has been observed in 104 of these legumes species. Information is missing about nodulation about 7 legume species from Bulgaria and their nodulating status could not be confirmed from the field observations. Lotus uliginosus Schkuhr is a lost plant of Bulgarian flora and its nodulating ability could also not be established in the present study. This work is a preliminary step towards exploration of efficient symbiotic rhizobia and their use in the management of grasslands and pastures growing these legumes individually and in association with grasses for enhancing forage production in Bulgaria.

Soybean is an important crop with nutrition, economic and soil fertility improvement benefits to farmers. However, its production in western Kenya is partly constrained by low soil pH and soil fertility levels. A greenhouse pot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilizers, farmyard manure and lime application on soil pH, nutrient uptake, growth and nodulation of soybean grown in acidic soils from western Kenya. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments: control; NPK; manure; lime; manure+lime; NPK+manure; NPK+lime and manure+lime+NPK. Significant effects of inorganic fertilizers, manure and lime applications were observed on all the variables. Manure, lime and manure+lime treatments increased soil pH by 1.33, 2.19 and 2.28, respectively, above the control treatment. The shoot N was lower under control (1.71-1.81%), NPK (1.85-1.98%) and manure (2.00-2.11%) than under all other treatments. Treatments NPK+lime and manu...

During the 2002-2004 period in the Institute of Forage Crops in Pleven the effect of the organic fertilizer Humustim on dry root mass and nodulating capacity of spring vetch was studied.

The trial was carried out under nonirrigated conditions and a soil type of leached chernozem.

Treatments during vegetation and a presowing treatment of seeds were conducted. It was found that the treatment with Humustim during vetch vegetation (one and two treatments) increased dry root mass quantity up to 6%; nodulation up to 12% and specific nodulating capacity up to 11%.
In the variant with one presowing seed treatment at a dose of 1.2 l/t and two vegetation treatments the exceeding, as compared to the control, was 17% for dry root mass quantity; 29% for nodule number and 27% for specific nodulating capacity.
On the basis of the results we can recommend this practice as a supplement to the technology for vetch growing.

We determined the localization of phenolic compounds in dormant seeds of two American species of Sesbania (Fabaceae) by a combination of histochemical and biochemical methods. Phenolics are located in different layers of the seed coat and in the subhilar parenchyma. We then investigated the release of these compounds by imbibing seeds of both species. The annual S. 6esicaria releases the flavonoid luteolin, with minor amounts of proanthocyanidins, whereas the perennial S. drummondii releases mostly proanthocyanidins. Types and amount of allelochemicals exuded seem related to ecology and life history traits of each species. We then showed mobilisation of these allelochemicals by histochemical sections in imbibing seeds of both species. Histological structure is similar in both species. A number of characters (lens, subhilar parenchyma, tracheid bar) appear to function together to facilitate the exudation of compounds that protect young seedlings. Furthermore, the spatial organization of these organs with interlocking function allows retrieval of defensive substances stored in the seed, and their redeployment is beneficial for seedling survival. We hypothesize that optimisation of the chemical defences allocated to the seed by the maternal parent confers a significant advantage to the seedling, whose energy is mainly committed to growth.

Case Our patient who was born in another center with a birth weight of 3920 g as from the first pregnancy and as the first living child of a 38-year-old mother and a 42-year old father who had no consanguinity. No problem occured during the prenatal follow-up. The APGAR scores for the first and 5th minutes postnatally were assessed to be 9/10. No pathological finding was observed on physical examination. There was no ABO or Rh incompatibility between the mother and the baby. No additional test was performed in the patient who had a normal birth weight and gestational week. The newborn was compliant with the mother and his nutrition was adequate. After a 24-hour follow-up period the patient was discharged following heel blood sampling for metabolic screening tests. Three days after discharge the patient was brought to our emergency outpatient clinic on the fourth postnatal day with complaints of decreased feeding, malaise and skin eruption which occured in the last one day. The newborn reflexes were decreased at presentation. The axillary temperature was found to be 38.2 0 C, the upper extremity arterial blood pressure was found to be 80/40 mm Hg and the pulse rate was found to be 162/min. Examination of the respiratory system was found to be normal. There was no pathological finding on examination of the cardiovascular system except for tachycardia. Widespread petechiae and ecchymoses which were prominent on the anterior part of the trunk, marked subcutaneous nodules on the back and hepatosplenomagaly (the liver was palpable 5 cm below the costal margin in the midclavicular line and the spleen was palpable 4 cm below the costal margin in the midclavicular line) were found on physical examination. Complete blood count, biochemical tests and coagulation tests were performed. No pathology was found in the biochemical and coagulation tests. Complete blood count was as follows: WBC: 51 600/mm 3 Hb: 12.5 g/dL, Hct: % 37 Plt: 16 000/mm 3. LDH was found to be 1313 IU/L. Picture 1. Appearance of the subcutaneous nodules of the patient

Effect of presowing treatment of seeds with insecticides on parameters related to nodulation and nitrate reduction in soybean was studied in pot trial at the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria (2003-2004). It was found that insecticides Gaucho 600 FS (imidacloprid), Carbodan 35 ST (carbofuran) applied for presowing treatment of seeds at the doses of 1, 2 and 3 L/100 kg seeds, and Promet 400 CS (furathiocarb) (standard) at the dose of 3 L/100 kg seeds, had no suppressive effect on the root length, dry root mass and specific nodulating ability of plants. When used Gaucho 600 FS at the dose of 1 L/100 kg seeds, root mass was most developed, the largest number of nodules was formed, and specific nodulating ability was highest. The common tendency for decrease of nitrate reductase activity in leaves and significant increase in stems was found. Nitrate reductase activity increased in leaves, stems and roots in treatment with Carbodan 35 ST applied at the dose of 3 L/100 kg seeds. Chlorophylls а+b/carotenoids ratio exceeded this of the control only in treatment with Gaucho 600 FS at the dose of 1 L/100 kg seeds. However the analysis of the plant biomass did not include the amount of possible undegraded traces after using the insecticides tested.

Bio-fertilizers are environment friendly and protect the environment against the pollutant. Afield experiment was conducted in semi-arid environment " North Kordofan of Sudan " in rainy seasons (2008/09) to investigate the effect of inoculation of Bradyrhizobium on growth and yield of guar (Cyamopsis teteragonolopa L.) in gardoud soil. The treatments used were: un-inoculated control, inoculated with TAL169 and Hi12 (introduced), and other12 strains (Local Isolated Strains). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Estimated Parameters were: fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, plant height, number of fruiting branches, number of nodules, number of pods per plant, 100-seed (g) and total seed yield (ton/ha). The results showed that, the Bradyrhizobium significant increased growth and yield attributes of guar.

Agrobacterium-based transformation was used to introduce a promoter-less glucuronidase uidA gene (β-glucuronidase; GUS) into Lotus japonicus. Transgenic plants were screened for GUS activation at different stages after inoculation with its symbiont, Mesorhizobium loti. Functional GUS fusion frequencies ranged from about 2 to 5% of the total number of transgenic lines. These lines provide excellent histological markers for tissue ontogeny analysis. Some of the activations generated GUS expression patterns that correspond to well-known tissue types, such as lateral root and nodule primordia, root tips and developing nodules (line CHEETAH). Others generated GUS activation associated with predictable but previously unknown (i) tissue types, such as the vascular bundle of the nodule (line VASCO); or (ii) expression domains, such as pericycle, nodule primordia, nodule and flower connective/vascular tissue (line FATA MORGANA) or inner root cortex cells in the vicinity of a curled root hair, nodule primordia and nodule cortex (line TIMPA). Putative members of two gene superfamilies, EH (Esp homolog) and AAA ATPase (ATPase associated with various cellular activities), were located next to the CHEETAH and VASCO insertions, respectively, and a nodulin gene, LjENOD40–2, was located next to the FATA MORGANA insertion. We utilized promoter GUS fusions to investigate the genetic regulation of LjENOD40–2 and FATA MORGANA GUS. The LjENOD40–2 promoter defined a novel expression domain and the FATA MORGANA nodule expression was reiterated by the 2 kb sequence upstream of the T-DNA insertion.

The CLAVATA pathway that regulates stem cell numbers of the shoot apical meristem has exclusively been studied in Arabidopsis; as such insight into other species is warranted. In this study, a GmCLV1A mutant (F-S562L) with altered lateral organ development, and two mutants of GmNARK, isolated from a Forrest M2 population (EMS-mutated soybean) were studied. GmCLV1A and GmNARK encode for LRR receptor kinases, and share 92% of protein sequence. While GmNARK is critical for systemic regulation of nodulation (new organ made on the root through symbiosis), we show that GmCLV1A functions locally and has no apparent function in nodulation or root development. However, a recessive, loss-of-function mutation (S562L) in a putative S-glycosylation site of GmCLV1A causes stem nodal identity alterations as well as flower and pod abnormalities (deformed flower and pod). The mutant also exhibits a homeotic phenotype, displaying abnormal leaf development/number, vein-derived leaf emergence, and a th...

Some farming operations contribute to heavy metal toxicity of the soil which in turn affects above ground vegetation. Soils collected from cocoa and Gmelina arborea plantations were separately used for raising Centrosema pubescens in three pots (A, B and C) in Nigeria. The cocoa plantation soil was contaminated as result of use of Cu-based fungicide. Pot A had 5kg of soil with copper-contaminated soil while Pot B was same as Pot A above but amended with poultry manure using 2:1; representing media with moderate toxicity. Similarly, Pot C or the control contained soil obtained from a nearby Gmelina plantation 200m from the cocoa plantation. C. pubescens seedlings were raised in nursery for 4 weeks and planted out into the pots. Growth parameters (leaf number and total dry weight (g)) and chemical composition of biomass (N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Pb) were determined and compared using ANOVA at @<0.05. Root nodulation was highest in Centrosema stands grown with control soil and was 260% higher than that of Cu contaminated soil (A). Both mean leaf number per plant and total dry weight (g) were highest in stands grown with Cu contaminated soil amended with poultry manure indicating possible suppression of Cu-toxicity by the manure. Cu- soil contamination affected the level of macronutrients (N, P, K) uptake especially in Pots A and B. N.P.K in Centrosema samples grown with control soils C were significantly higher than those of “A” by 48.3%, 61.4% and 66.5% respectively. Although toxicants have potential of being transmitted to man/livestock, C. pubescens showed relatively high absorption capacity for toxic elements which can enhance its choice for possible use in land clean-up and phytoremediation programme.

— Different biotic and abiotic factors are involved in the availability of heavy metals in soil including organic matter. In order to study the effects of cow manure on cadmium availability and their interactions on common bean nodulation and growth parameters, an experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions. The treatments included five cadmium levels (0, 2, 5, 10, 20 mg cadmium per kg soil) and four cow manure levels (0, 15, 30, 60 t ha-1) based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Results indicated that increased soil cadmium concentrations caused higher cadmium uptake by root tissues whereas, Root nodulation and total N content of shoot tissues decreased significantly at all cadmium concentration levels except for 2 mg Kg-1. In addition, the interaction of cow manure and high concentrations of cadmium caused a decrease in nodule number, nodule fresh weights and total N content of shoot in common bean.

In the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven during the period of 2003-2004 in a pot trial was studied the effect of mineral nitrogen at the doses of 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg N/kg on nodulation of lucerne for seeds under provoked water deficiency stress at the stage of budding.

It was found that mineral nitrogen at the doses of 80 and 120 mg N/kg soil decreased the nodulation by 24-33% in conditions of optimum moisture, and by 20-27% in conditions of water deficiency stress.


The dose of 160 mg N/kg soil was found to be toxic to nodulation. When applied mineral nitrogen fertilizing at the doses of 80 and 120 mg N/kg soil, lucerne took the negative effect of water deficiency stress slightly in regard to nodulation, which decreased by 16-18%, and dry root mass- by 13-15%.