Symbiotic Properties of Rhizobia strains isolated from soils of Birnin Gwari and Shika in Kaduna.

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the screen house of the Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Technology, Minna. Prior to planting of four (4) seeds per pot, the pots were watered with calcium sulphate solution to field capacity. A week after planting, seedlings were thinned to two (2) plants followed by the application of treatments as follows: Three (3) soybean varieties TGx1448-2E, TGx1835-10E and TGx1955-10E fertilized with -N, +N at the rate of 100Kg N per pot, LF, Bg4, Bg5, Bg1-2, Bg1-4, Bg4-2, Sk1-4, Sk2-3, SK2-5 and SK6-3. Treatments were laid out in a factorial arrangement fitted to a completely randomized design and replicated 3 times. Nodulation and shoot biomass were assessed by counting and weighing while symbiotic Effectiveness was derived from shoot biomass. Data obtained were subjected to ANOVA and means of treatments effect were separated using Tukey studentized test. Result showed that interaction between varieties and N-sources significantly affected all the symbiotic properties. The highest nodule number of 23 nodules per plant was recorded when TGx1448-2E associated with isolate Bg5 while the heaviest shoot biomass and symbiotic effectiveness amongst isolate effect was obtained when TGx1835-10E associated with isolate SK2-3. Cultivation of TGx1835-10E will therefore be most beneficial when supplied with 20Kg N and inoculated with SK2-3.