Effect of rhizobium, phosphate and nitrogen on nodulation and growth of Faidherbia albida seedlings
1995
Mashuka, A.J. (Forest Research Centre, P.O.Box HG595 Highlands Harare (Zimbabwe))
A nursery experiment using sterilised soil was conducted with Faidherbia albida, two Rhizobium strains, phosphate and ammonium nitrate fertiliser. Five months following inoculation all three factors, Rhizobium, phosphate and nitrogen, had a significant effect on mean nodule number per plant. There were significant interactions of Rhizobium by phosphate and Rhizobium by nitrogen on mean nodule number, and Rhizobium by nitrogen on mean nodule weight. Nitrogen had a consistent negative effect on both nodule number and weight. Increase in height was significantly negatively affected by Rhizobium. Neither phosphate nor nitrogen had a significant effect increase on height. Mean shoot weight per plant was significantly greater than that of the control in the presence of Rhizobium and phosphate, but root weight was significantly reduced in the presence of nitrogen. One of the two strains of Rhizobium significantly increased root weight. Dry mass was found to be a better indicator of the performance of the species than plant height. The results emphasize the need to select the right Rhizobium strain and to maintain adequate soil phosphate levels for improvement in the growth of seedlings.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Central Library, Ministry of Agriculture