Evaluation of effectiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum strains on broad beans
I. Alsina, L. Dubova, A.Karlovska, V.Steinberga and L. Strauta
Acta Hortic. 1142. ISHS 2016. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1142.63
Proc. VI Balkan Symposium on Vegetables and Potatoes
Abstract
Broad beans are grown worldwide as a source of protein in human diets, forage crop for animals, and for increasing nitrogen content in the soil. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effectiveness of four Rhizobium leguminosarum strains from the collection of Latvia University of Agriculture. Two cultivars of broad beans ‘Bartek’ and ‘Karmazyn’ were used. Experiments were located in three places with different soil mineral and chemical composition and pH. Streptomicine resistant strains Nr. 23, 110, 407 and 505 were used. Seeds were treated with suspension of bacteria before sowing. Control was without treatment. Plant weight, dry matter and protein content in plants and seeds were analyzed at the flowering stage and at the end of experiment. During flowering stage number of nodules was evaluated. Experiments were done in four replications with 10 plants in each replicate. Results showed that strain efficiency depended on interaction between strain, soil conditions and cultivar. In average higher number of nodules was observed in the roots of ‘Karmazyn’, but it doesn’t reflect on yield. Higher yields, dry mater and protein content in seeds were observed for ‘Bartek’. Correlation between protein content and soil fertility was observed in different locations. Strain Nr. 407 promoted protein accumulation in the seeds of both cultivars.