Research into Rhizobium/Leguminosae symbiosis in Latin America

More than 60 institutions and 100 researchers were involved in Rhizobium research in 1978 in Latin America. Half of these researchers were located in Argentina and Brazil. Research activity and the application of research findings vary widely among countries. Problems that plague research include (1) inadequate training of research personnel and insufficient attention paid to the Rhizobium/Legume symbiosis at agriculture schools: (2) poorly-established research priorities that do not sufficiently weight the immediate needs for the farmers such as the identification of limiting environmental factors (e.g. nutritional deficiencies), techniques for small-scale inoculant production, and quality control of available inoculants; (3) isolation of the researchers and a lack of adequate library support: (4) poorly integrated research teams (e.g. in many institutes researchers are either microbiologists with no agricultural background or agronomists lacking microbiological training); and (5) insufficient dissemination of researcch findings. Problems with inoculant production and control include (1) a local dependence on national or imported inoculants rather than of locally-selected strains, (2) poor inoculat quality control which results in low inoculation success rates and subsequent discredit to the inoculation practice, and (3) high prices for inoculants. Extension problems include (1) lacking or deficient legume-promotion programs by government agencies, (2) poor contact between research and extension workers, and (3) administrators, leaders, extension workers and agronomists working in the field that lack adequate knowledge of the Rhizobium/Legume symbiosis. Immediate measures to foster extension and legume promotion programs and informal and/or official quality control are needed in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, and probably Colombia. Countries where combined efforts should primarily be directed toward stimulating research and extension include Peru, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Chile. In Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Panama, priority should be given to research. Colombia should also be included in this group as national research institutions need to be strengthened.