Selection and evaluation of root nodule bacteria for Dorycnium spp.
S. R. Davies A C , J. G. Howieson B , R. J. Yates B and P. A. Lane AA School of Agricultural Science/TIAR, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 54, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
B Centre for Rhizobium Studies, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: simon.davies@fpb.tas.gov.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(3) 241-246 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03127
Submitted: 24 June 2004 Accepted: 26 October 2004 Published: 14 April 2005
Abstract
Dorycnium spp. are perennial legumes that have the ability to produce a source of forage in low fertility soils under low rainfall conditions. The inoculation of Dorycnium spp. is currently with the commercial Lotus corniculatus inoculant SU343, which until now had not been trialed against a range of alternative inoculants for Dorycnium spp. A glasshouse trial in sterile sand culture was conducted with 3 species of Dorycnium spp. along with 6 important pasture legumes to evaluate nitrogen-fixing performance, and host and rhizobia interactions. Several inoculants were selected from this trial to undergo evaluation under Tasmanian field conditions. The dry matter production of Dorycnium spp. in the glasshouse and field indicated that SU343 is a suitable inoculant for this genus. A Tasmanian isolate (WSM2338) was identified as a complimentary strain for the inoculation of Dorycnium spp., however, negative interactions with important pasture legumes require further investigation.
Additional keywords: legume, rhizobia, Lotus spp., perennial, inoculant.
Acknowledgments
I thank the Centre for Rhizobium Studies for their assistance in undertaking this work, in particular Regina Carr, and acknowledge the financial support of RIRDC for this project.
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