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Elizabeth Drew, David Herridge,
Ross Ballard, Graham O’Hara,
Rosalind Deaker, Matthew Denton,
Ron Yates, Greg Gemell,
Elizabeth Hartley, Lori Phillips,
Nikki Seymour, John Howieson
and Neil Ballard
Title: Inoculating Legumes: A Practical Guide
GRDC Project Code: UMU00032
Authors: Graham O’Hara, John Howieson (Murdoch University) Elizabeth
Drew, Ross Ballard (South Australian Research and Development Institute),
David Herridge (University of New England), Greg Gemmell, Elizabeth Hartley
(NSW Department of Primary Industries), Lori Phillips (Victorian Department
of Primary Industries), Rosalind Deaker (University of Sydney), Matt Denton
(University of Adelaide), Ron Yates (Department of Agriculture and Food,
Western Australia), Nikki Seymour (Queensland Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry) and Neil Ballard (Global Pasture Consultants).
In submitting this report, the researchers have agreed to the GRDC
publishing this material in its edited form.
ISBN 978-1-921779-45-9
Published December 2012
2
© Grains Research and Development Corporation
All Rights Reserved
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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Disclaimer:
This publication has been prepared in good faith by the contributors on the basis of
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Readers are responsible for assessing the relevance and accuracy of the content of this
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3
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
… Each year Australian growers sow inoculated legume seed on
about 2.5 million hectares, equivalent to 50 per cent of the area
sown to legumes. All of the nitrogen fixed annually by legumes
growing on these newly sown areas together with that fixed by the
22.5 million hectares of established and regenerating legume-based
pastures can be attributed to either current or past inoculation.
The total amount of nitrogen fixed by the agricultural legumes is
estimated at 2.7 million tonnes annually, with a nominal value for the
industry of close to $4 billion annually…
CONTENTS
Foreword.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Authors..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
FAQs.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.1
1.2
1.3
The practice of inoculation......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Inoculants and inoculation of legumes in Australia................................................................................................................................................. 11
This handbook ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2. Rhizobia and the rhizobia-legume symbiosis ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
What are rhizobia?............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Specificity of rhizobia ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
What do rhizobia need to prosper? .................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
The process of nodulation .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Root-hair infection ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Nodule types ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Other important symbioses that fix nitrogen................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Causes of poor nitrogen fixation – legume and rhizobia incompatibility................................................................................................ 16
3. Number and nitrogen fixation capacity of rhizobia in soils ............................................................................................................... 17
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
How do we know if a soil has the right rhizobia? .................................................................................................................................................... 17
How many soil rhizobia are needed for prompt nodulation? .......................................................................................................................... 17
Measuring the number of rhizobia in soil........................................................................................................................................................................ 17
What numbers of rhizobia persist in soils? ................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Factors affecting the survival of rhizobia in soil......................................................................................................................................................... 19
Diversity of soil rhizobia ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
How well do the soil rhizobia fix nitrogen with legumes? .................................................................................................................................. 22
Dealing with soil rhizobia ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Concluding comments .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
4. Rhizobial inoculants – strains and quality control......................................................................................................................................... 25
4
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
What are legume (rhizobial) inoculants? .......................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Inoculant formulations ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Application of inoculants ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
Quality of inoculants........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
How do we know if an inoculant is high-quality?..................................................................................................................................................... 26
Who tests inoculant quality? .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Numerical standards ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Does a high-quality inoculant guarantee efficacy in the field? ...................................................................................................................... 29
What is the quality of inoculants and preinoculated seed in Australia? ................................................................................................. 29
Quality of preinoculated seed (rhizobial numbers)................................................................................................................................................... 29
Non-rhizobial inoculants .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 29
Concluding comments ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30
5. Inoculation in practice ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 31
When is inoculation required .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Which inoculant group should I use? ................................................................................................................................................................................ 32
Which inoculant group do I need for a mixture of pasture species? ........................................................................................................ 32
What are requirements for storing and handling inoculants? ......................................................................................................................... 32
Can you use too much inoculant? ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
How are numbers of inoculant rhizobia related to legume nodulation and yield? .......................................................................... 33
Which formulation of legume inoculant should I use?.......................................................................................................................................... 33
Peat inoculants.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Freeze-dried inoculants ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 37
Liquid inoculants ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 37
Applying inoculants by water injection ............................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Granular inoculants .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
5
5.14
5.15
5.16
5.17
5.18
Preinoculated and custom-inoculated seed ................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Are there compatibility issues between seed-applied inoculants and fertilisers, chemicals and pesticides? .......... 39
Dry sowing of inoculated legume seed ............................................................................................................................................................................ 40
Formulations of inoculants containing co-inoculants ............................................................................................................................................ 40
Concluding comments .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 40
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 42
Legume nitrogen fixation – globally and on Australian farms ......................................................................................................................... 43
Comparing nitrogen fixation by the different crop and pasture legumes............................................................................................... 43
How does crop and soil management affect legume nitrogen fixation? ................................................................................................ 44
Soil nitrate suppresses legume nitrogen fixation ...................................................................................................................................................... 44
What are the best management practices to improve legume growth and nitrogen fixation? ............................................. 45
What are the nitrogen and rotational benefits of crop legumes? ................................................................................................................. 46
What are the benefits of pasture legume rotations? .............................................................................................................................................. 49
Concluding comments .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 50
7. Legume inoculation fact sheets ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 52
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.11
7.12
7.13
7.14
List of rhizobial strains used in Australian inoculants ........................................................................................................................................... 52
Chickpea inoculation fact sheet............................................................................................................................................................................................. 54
Field pea, vetch, faba bean and lentil inoculation fact sheet .......................................................................................................................... 55
Lupin and serradella inoculation fact sheet .................................................................................................................................................................. 56
Peanut inoculation fact sheet .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 57
Mungbean and cowpea inoculation fact sheet .......................................................................................................................................................... 58
Soybean inoculation fact sheet .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 59
Annual clovers inoculation fact sheet ................................................................................................................................................................................ 60
Annual medics inoculation fact sheet ................................................................................................................................................................................ 61
Biserrula inoculation fact sheet .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 62
Lotus inoculation fact sheet ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 63
Lucerne, melilotus (albus), strand and disc medics inoculation fact sheet .......................................................................................... 64
Perennial clovers inoculation fact sheet .......................................................................................................................................................................... 66
Sulla inoculation fact sheet........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 67
8. Appendix............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 68
9. References....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 69
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
6. Legume nitrogen fixation and rotational benefits .......................................................................................................................................... 42
FOREWORD
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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7
AUTHORS
Ross Ballard
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Neil Ballard
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Rosalind Deaker
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Matthew Denton
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Elizabeth Drew
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INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Greg Gemell
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Ron Yates
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Elizabeth Hartley
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David Herridge
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John Howieson
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Graham O’Hara
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Lori Phillips
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Nikki Seymour
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
What does inoculation do?
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What are inoculant groups? Why are there
different groups?
,HJOPUVJ\SHU[NYV\WOHZH\UPX\LZ[YHPUVMYOPaVIPH[OH[
PZOPNOS`LMMLJ[P]LPUUVK\SH[PVUHUKUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUMVY
HZWLJPMPJJS\Z[LYVMSLN\TLZHSZVRUV^UHZHSLN\TL
OVZ[NYV\W*OVVZPUN[OLJVYYLJ[PUVJ\SHU[NYV\WMVY
HWHY[PJ\SHYSLN\TLOVZ[PUKPJH[LKI`SL[[LYZPZJYP[PJHS
MVYNVVKUVK\SH[PVUHUKUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU[VVJJ\Y4VYL
PUMVYTH[PVUHUKJOHY[ZVMPUVJ\SHU[NYV\WZHYLWYV]PKLKPU
*OHW[LYZHUK
Can I test my soil for rhizobia?
5VJVTTLYJPHS[LZ[PZH]HPSHISLMVYKL[LYTPUPUN[OL
WYLZLUJLVMHWHY[PJ\SHYYOPaVIPHPUHZVPSI\[WHKKVJR
OPZ[VY`JHUWYV]PKLHN\PKL0M[OLZHTLSLN\TL^HZ
YLJLU[S`NYV^U^HZ^LSSUVK\SH[LKHUK`PLSKLK^LSS
[OLZVPS^PSSSPRLS`OH]LYOPaVIPHMVY[OH[SLN\TL-HJ[VYZ
[OH[HMMLJ[[OLWLYZPZ[LUJLVMYOPaVIPHPUZVPSZHYL
L_HTPULKPU*OHW[LY
How do I know if I need to inoculate my crop or
pasture legume?
;OPZ^PSSKLWLUKVU[OLSLN\TLILPUNZV^UWHKKVJR
OPZ[VY`HUKZVPSJVUKP[PVUZ.\PKLSPULZMVYHZZLZZPUN[OL
ULLKMVY[OLPUVJ\SH[PVUVMHTHQVYJYVWHUKWHZ[\YL
ZWLJPLZHYLWYV]PKLKPU*OHW[LY
Do I need to use a sticker or adhesive with the inoculant?
:[PJRLYZHYL\ZLK[VLUZ\YL[OH[HKLX\H[LPUVJ\SHU[
HKOLYLZ[VZLLK:[PJRLYZHYLHSYLHK`PUJVYWVYH[LKPU[V
WLH[IHZLKPUVJ\SHU[ZMVYJYVWSLN\TLZ-VYWHZ[\YL
SLN\TLZZ[PJRLYZHYLUV[JVU[HPULKPU[OLPUVJ\SHU[ZHUK
ZOV\SKILPUJVYWVYH[LK^OLUPUVJ\SH[PUNZLLK:[PJRLYZ
JHUHSZVPTWYV]L[OLZ\Y]P]HSVMYOPaVIPH*VUZ\S[[OL
PUVJ\SHU[WHJRHNLMVYTHU\MHJ[\YLYYLJVTTLUKH[PVUZ
9LJVTTLUKLKZ[PJRLYZZOV\SKHS^H`ZIL\ZLK;OL
\ZLVMZ\NHYVPSZHUKV[OLYZ[PJRLYZ\IZ[P[\[LZPZUV[
YLJVTTLUKLK
Where can I buy inoculant?
0UVJ\SHU[ZHYLZVSK[OYV\NOTVZ[Y\YHSTLYJOHUKPZPUN
HUKZLLKJVTWHUPLZ*VTTLYJPHSTHU\MHJ[\YLYZHYL
SPZ[LKPU[OL(WWLUKP_HUKZOV\SKILHISL[VWYV]PKL
PUMVYTH[PVUYLNHYKPUNH]HPSHIPSP[`VMPUVJ\SHU[ZHUK[OL
SVJH[PVUVMYL[HPSZ\WWSPLYZ
Does exposure to inoculants pose a risk
to human health?
9OPaVIPHWVZLUVRUV^U[OYLH[[VO\THUOLHS[O7LH[
SPX\PKHUKMYLLaLKYPLKMVYT\SH[PVUZJVU[HPU]LY`ML^V[OLY
VYNHUPZTZHUKZVHYLYLNHYKLKHZZHML[V\ZL(S[OV\NO
NYHU\SHYMVYT\SH[PVUZNLULYHSS`JVU[HPUHSV^WYVWVY[PVUVM
K\Z[[OL`KVJVU[HPUV[OLYZVPSTPJYVILZHUKZVNSV]LZ
HUKMHJLTHZRZZPTPSHY[VYLJVTTLUKH[PVUZMVYOHUKSPUN
WV[[PUNTP_LZHUKZVPSZZOV\SKIL\ZLK0MPUKV\I[
JVUZ\S[[OLTHU\MHJ[\YLYYLJVTTLUKH[PVUZVU[OLSHILS
What inoculant formulation is best?
7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHYLYLSPHISLHUKJVZ[LMMLJ[P]LPUTVZ[
ZP[\H[PVUZ6[OLYPUVJ\SHU[ZTH`ILLHZPLY[V\ZLVYIL[[LY
Z\P[LK[VZWLJPMPJJYVWWPUNZP[\H[PVUZ;OLJVUKP[PVUZ
[OH[MH]V\Y[OL\ZLVM[OLKPMMLYLU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHYL
Z\TTHYPZLKPU*OHW[LYZHUK3VVRMVY[OL.YLLU
;PJR3VNV[VILHZZ\YLK[OH[[OLPUVJ\SHU[OHZILLU
PUKLWLUKLU[S`[LZ[LKHUKZH[PZMPLZ(\Z[YHSPHUPUVJ\SHU[
X\HSP[`Z[HUKHYKZ
What are the benefits of inoculation?
0UVJ\SH[PVUPZLZZLU[PHSMVYUVK\SH[PVU^OLYL[OLOVZ[
SLN\TLOHZUV[WYL]PV\ZS`ILLUNYV^U>OPSLLMMLJ[P]L
YOPaVIPHTH`ILWYLZLU[PUZVPS^OLYLHOVZ[SLN\TLOHZ
ILLUPUVJ\SH[LKHUKNYV^UWYL]PV\ZS`[OLHWWSPJH[PVU
VMHOPNOX\HSP[`PUVJ\SHU[JHUPUJYLHZL[OLWYVWVY[PVU
VMUVK\SLZMVYTLKI`[OLZLSLJ[LKLSP[LPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPU
5P[YVNLUMP_H[PVUILULMP[ZYLZ\S[PUNMYVTPUVJ\SH[PVUHYL
KLZJYPILKPUKL[HPSPU*OHW[LY
Is there any harm from over inoculation?
(ZSVUNHZ[OLL_[YHPUVJ\SHU[KVLZUV[JH\ZLZLLKLY
ISVJRHNLZ[OLYLPZUVOHYTPU\ZPUNOPNOLYYH[LZVM
PUVJ\SH[PVU0UMHJ[ZVTLMPLSK[YPHSZOH]LZOV^UILULMP[Z
MYVTPUJYLHZLKPUVJ\SH[PVUYH[LZWHY[PJ\SHYS`PUWHKKVJRZ
[OH[OH]LUV[NYV^UHW\SZLWYL]PV\ZS`
Can inoculation rates be reduced?
;OPZPZUV[YLJVTTLUKLK0UZ\MMPJPLU[U\TILYZVMYOPaVIPH
VUZLLKVYPU[OLZVPSTH`YLZ\S[PUPUHKLX\H[LUVK\SH[PVU
(WWS`PUN[OLJVYYLJ[YH[LVMPUVJ\SHU[OLSWZLUZ\YL
WYVTW[HUKLMMLJ[P]LUVK\SH[PVUHUKWYV]PKLZNVVK
JVTWL[P[PVUHNHPUZ[V[OLYZVPSYOPaVIPH[OH[TH`ILSLZZ
LMMLJ[P]LH[UP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
What are legume inoculants?
3LN\TLPUVJ\SHU[ZJVU[HPUSP]LIHJ[LYPHJHSSLKYOPaVIPH
HUKZOV\SKILJVUZPKLYLKHZWLYPZOHISLWYVK\J[Z
9OPaVIPHHYLZLUZP[P]L[VHYHUNLVMZ[YLZZLZ
LNOPNO[LTWLYH[\YLHUKKLZPJJH[PVU^OPJOKLJYLHZL
[OLPY]PHIPSP[`(TVYLKL[HPSLKKLZJYPW[PVUVMYOPaVIPHPZ
WYV]PKLKPU*OHW[LYHUKN\PKLSPULZMVYOHUKSPUNVM
PUVJ\SHU[ZPU*OHW[LYZHUK
9
What is the benefit of lime pelleting pasture
and pulse seed?
3PTLWLSSL[PUNOLSWZYLK\JL[OLTVPZ[\YLJVU[LU[VM[OL
ZLLKPUVJ\SHU[TP_HM[LY[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVM[OLZS\YY`HUK
OLSWZWYL]LU[JS\TWPUN^P[OZTHSSZLLKZ0[HSZVOLSWZ
[VPTWYV]LZ\Y]P]HSVM[OLYOPaVIPHWHY[PJ\SHYS`^OLYL[OL
ZLLKJVTLZPUJVU[HJ[^P[OHJPKPJMLY[PSPZLYZVYPZZV^U
PU[VHJPKPJZVPSZ
How long can I keep inoculated legume seed?
-YLZOPZILZ[5\TILYZVMYOPaVIPHVUZLLKKLJSPULYHWPKS`
PU[OLMPYZ[ML^OV\YZHM[LYPUVJ\SH[PVU9OPaVIPHSU\TILYZ
VUZLLKHYLOPNOLZ[PTTLKPH[LS`HM[LYPUVJ\SH[PVU>L
YLJVTTLUK[OH[MHYTLYZZV^SLN\TLZLLK^P[OPUHKH`
VMILPUNPUVJ\SH[LK(ZPNUPMPJHU[WYVWVY[PVUVMWHZ[\YL
SLN\TLZLLKPZZVSKWYLPUVJ\SH[LKHUKTH`ILOH]LILLU
PUVJ\SH[LKMVYZL]LYHSTVU[OZ
Should I use starter nitrogen?
0UTVZ[ZP[\H[PVUZ[OLYLPZUVYLHZVU[V\ZLZ[HY[LY
UP[YVNLU^OLUZV^PUNSLN\TLZ;OLYLTH`ILILULMP[Z
OV^L]LYMVYSLN\TLZNYV^PUNPUZVPSZ^P[OL_[YLTLS`SV^
SL]LSZVMWSHU[H]HPSHISLUP[YVNLUHUKMVY[OLLHYS`NYV^[O
VMUVUSLN\TLZWLJPLZPUTP_LKWHZ[\YLZ;OLUVK\SH[PVU
VMSLN\TLZPZZ\WWYLZZLKI`ZVPSTPULYHSUP[YVNLU
Are there any special fertiliser needs for legumes?
3LN\TLZULLKNVVKU\[YP[PVU[VNYV^Z\JOHZ[OL
LSLTLU[ZWOVZWOVY\ZHUKWV[HZZP\T0UHKKP[PVU[V
[OL\Z\HSU\[YPLU[ZULLKLKI`WSHU[ZSLN\TLZYLX\PYL
[OL[YHJLLSLTLU[TVS`IKLU\T4V^OPJOPZJYP[PJHS
MVY[OLLUa`TL[OH[PZYLZWVUZPISLMVYUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU
*HYLZOV\SKIL[HRLU^OLUZLSLJ[PUNHUHWWYVWYPH[L4V
MLY[PSPZLYHZZVTLJHUIL[V_PJ[VYOPaVIPH(WWSPJH[PVUVM
4VMLY[PSPZLYZPZJV]LYLKPU*OHW[LY
10
Is dry sowing of inoculated legumes OK?
+Y`ZV^PUNPZUV[PKLHS>OLYL\UH]VPKHISL[OLYPZR
VMUVK\SH[PVUMHPS\YLPZTPUPTPZLKI`KLLWTVPZ[\YL
ZLLRPUNZV^PUNHUKI`SPTP[PUNKY`ZV^PUNZ[VWHKKVJRZ
^OLYL[OLSLN\TLOHZWYL]PV\ZS`NYV^UHUK^HZ
HKLX\H[LS`UVK\SH[LK
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
How long will the inoculant survive on seed in
the soil if it does not rain?
;OPZ^PSSKLWLUKVUZVPSJVUKP[PVUZWSHU[PUNKLW[O
O\TPKP[`YOPaVIPHSZ[YHPUPUVJ\SHU[NYV\WHUKPUVJ\SHU[
MVYT\SH[PVU0UVJ\SHU[ZHYLHS^H`ZILZ[KLSP]LYLKVUZLLK
VYKPYLJ[S`PU[VTVPZ[ZVPSZ
Can I mix inoculated lucerne and clover together
at sowing?
@LZKPMMLYLU[WHZ[\YLZWLJPLZJHUILTP_LK[VNL[OLY
MVSSV^PUNPUVJ\SH[PVU;OLYOPaVIPHVU[OLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLK
^PSSUV[\Z\HSS`JVTWL[L^P[OLHJOV[OLY[VMVYTUVK\SLZ
0MNYHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZHYL\ZLK[OL`T\Z[ILHWWSPLKH[
[OLM\SSYH[LMVYLHJOWHZ[\YLZWLJPLZPU[OLTP_[\YL
How do I assess nodulation?
7SHU[ZHYLILZ[HZZLZZLKMVYUVK\SH[PVUH[HIV\[LPNO[
^LLRZHM[LYZV^PUN7SHU[ZZOV\SKILJHYLM\SS`K\N
MYVT[OLZVPSPU[HJ[HUKYVV[Z`Z[LTZNLU[S`^HZOLK
5VK\SH[PVUJHUIL]LY`KPMMLYLU[VUKPMMLYLU[SLN\TL
ZWLJPLZI\[PUNLULYHSU\TLYV\ZWPURUVK\SLZULHY[OL
[VWVM[OLYVV[Z`Z[LTPUKPJH[LZ[OH[WYVTW[HUKLMMLJ[P]L
UVK\SH[PVUOHZVJJ\YYLK5VK\SL[`WLZHYLKPZJ\ZZLKPU
*OHW[LYHUKKLZJYPW[PVUZVMUVK\SH[PVUMVY[OLKPMMLYLU[
SLN\TLZWLJPLZHYLWYV]PKLKPU*OHW[LY
I forgot to inoculate, what can I do?
0UVJ\SHU[PZILZ[HWWSPLKH[ZV^PUN0[PZL_[YLTLS`KPMMPJ\S[
[VYLJ[PM`HUVK\SH[PVUMHPS\YLHM[LYZV^PUN;OLILZ[VW[PVU
^V\SKIL[VV]LYZV^HNYHU\SHYWYVK\J[HZZVVUHZ
WVZZPISLPUJSVZLWYV_PTP[`[V[OLVYPNPUHSZV^PUNM\YYV^
9LZWVUZLZ^PSSKLJSPUL^P[O[PTLHZTH[\YLYVV[ZHYLSLZZ
SPRLS`[VMVYTUVK\SLZ
Can I spray inoculant onto the top of the soil or directly
onto the legume crop or pasture?
5VP[PZUV[YLJVTTLUKLK
Are rhizobia compatible with pesticides and fertilisers?
9OPaVIPHHYLZLUZP[P]L[VTHU`JOLTPJHSZMLY[PSPZLYZHUK
WLZ[PJPKLZHUKL_WVZ\YL[V[OLTZOV\SKILH]VPKLK
-LY[PSPZLYZHYLVM[LUHJPKPJVYJVU[HPULSLTLU[ZZ\JOHZ
aPUJ[OH[HYL[V_PJ[VYOPaVIPH>OLYLHWWSPJH[PVUVMIV[O
WLZ[PJPKLHUKPUVJ\SHU[HYLJYP[PJHS[VJYVWLZ[HISPZOTLU[
[OL\ZLVMKPYLJ[ZVPSPUVJ\SH[PVU[LJOUPX\LZZOV\SKIL
JVUZPKLYLKKPZJ\ZZLKPU*OHW[LY4P_PUNPUVJ\SH[LK
ZLLK^P[OMLY[PSPZLYPZUV[YLJVTTLUKLK,]LU^OLYLZLLK
PZWLSSL[LKL_WVZ\YL[PTLZZOV\SKILTPUPTPZLK
Can large packets of inoculant be resealed
and used later?
@LZPM[OL^OVSLWHJRL[PZUV[\ZLKHPYZOV\SKIL
PTTLKPH[LS`L_WLSSLK[OLWHJRL[JHYLM\SS`ZLHSLKHUK
Z[VYLKPU[OLYLMYPNLYH[VYH[‡*0MWHJRL[ZHYLUV[ZLHSLK
WYVWLYS`[OLJVU[LU[Z^PSSKY`^OPJOTH`YLK\JLYOPaVIPHS
U\TILYZHUK[OLYLPZHYPZRVMJVU[HTPUH[PVUI`V[OLY
TPJYVILZ0UVJ\SHU[ZZOV\SKIL\ZLKHZZVVUHZWVZZPISL
HM[LYVWLUPUN(SSPUVJ\SHU[ZZOV\SKIL\ZLKILMVYL[OL
L_WPY`KH[L
11
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The practice of
inoculation
5P[YVNLUMP_H[PVUI`SLN\TLZKVLZUV[OHWWLUHZHTH[[LY
VMJV\YZL*VTWH[PISLLMMLJ[P]LYOPaVIPHT\Z[ILPU[OL
ZVPSPU^OPJO[OLSLN\TLPZNYV^PUNILMVYLUVK\SH[PVUHUK
UP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUJHUVJJ\Y>OLUHSLN\TLPZNYV^UMVY
[OLMPYZ[[PTLPUHWHY[PJ\SHYZVPSP[PZOPNOS`SPRLS`[OH[
JVTWH[PISLLMMLJ[P]LYOPaVIPH^PSSUV[ILWYLZLU[0UZ\JO
JPYJ\TZ[HUJLZ[OLYOPaVIPHT\Z[ILZ\WWSPLKPUOPNOS`
JVUJLU[YH[LKMVYTHZPUVJ\SHU[Z
0UVJ\SH[PVUVMSLN\TLZ^P[OYOPaVIPHPZVULVM[OLZ\JJLZZ
Z[VYPLZVMHNYPJ\S[\YLHUKPUKLLKTH`IL[OLTVZ[JVZ[
LMMLJ[P]LVMHSSHNYPJ\S[\YHSWYHJ[PJLZ4PSSLUUPHILMVYL[OL
ZJPLU[PMPJIHZPZVMSLN\TLUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU^HZ\UKLYZ[VVK
MHYTLYZ\ZLKY\KPTLU[HY`TLHUZVMPUVJ\SH[PVUZ\JOHZ
[OL[YHUZMLYVMZVPSMYVTWHKKVJRZNYV^PUN^LSSUVK\SH[LK
SLN\TLZ[VV[OLYZ[OH[^LYLSLN\TLMYLL(ZSH[LHZ (\Z[YHSPHUMHYTLYZ^LYLLUJV\YHNLK[VPUVJ\SH[LS\JLYUL
ZLLK^P[OHTP_[\YLVMNS\LHUKZPL]LKHPYKYPLKZVPS[OL
SH[[LY[HRLUMYVTWHKKVJRZJVU[HPUPUN^LSSUVK\SH[LK
WSHU[ZVM[OL[HYNL[SLN\TL.\[OYPL 0UVJ\SH[PVUVM
SLN\TLZLLKZ\ZPUNW\YLJ\S[\YLZVMYOPaVIPH^HZTHKL
WVZZPISLI`[OLNYV\UKIYLHRPUN^VYRVM.LYTHUHUK+\[JO
TPJYVIPVSVNPZ[ZK\YPUN[OLSHZ[[^VKLJHKLZVM[OL [O
JLU[\Y`>P[OPUHML^`LHYZPU[OLTHYRL[WSHJLZVM,\YVWL
NYV^LYZOHKHJJLZZ[VJ\S[\YLZVMYOPaVIPHMVYPUVJ\SH[PUN
HYHUNLVMSLN\TLZ0UVJ\SH[PVUVMIV[OZLLKHUKZVPS^LYL
HK]VJH[LK:PUJL[OH[[PTL[OLWYVK\J[PVUHUKKPZ[YPI\[PVU
VMSLN\TLPUVJ\SHU[ZOHZILJVTLHULZ[HISPZOLKPUK\Z[Y`PU
THU`JV\U[YPLZ
1.2 Inoculants and inoculation of
legumes in Australia
(\Z[YHSPHUNYV^LYZLTIYHJLKSLN\TLZHUKSLN\TL
PUVJ\SH[PVUMYVT[OLV\[ZL[;OLZVPSZ[OH[[OL`MHYTLK
^LYLNLULYHSS`SV^PUWSHU[H]HPSHISLUP[YVNLUHUK[OL\ZL
VMUP[YVNLUV\ZMLY[PSPZLY^HZUV[HUHMMVYKHISLVW[PVU;OL
SLN\TLZNYV^UTHPUS`WHZ[\YLHUKMVYHNLZWLJPLZOHK[V
Z\WWS`UP[YVNLUMVY[OLTZLS]LZHUKOHK[VILJHWHISLVM
LMMLJ[P]LUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU
0U [OLMHTV\ZHNYPJ\S[\YHSJOLTPZ[-YLKLYPJR
.\[OYPL^YV[LHIV\[SLN\TLUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUPU[OL
(NYPJ\S[\YHS.HaL[[LVM5L^:V\[O>HSLZZH`PUN[OH[¸P[^PSS
WYV]L[VILVULVM[OLTVZ[]HS\HISLJVU[YPI\[PVUZL]LY
THKLI`ZJPLUJL[VWYHJ[PJHSHNYPJ\S[\YL0[PZVMZWLJPHS
PU[LYLZ[[V\ZPU(\Z[YHSPH¹.\[OYPL 4Y.\[OYPLOHKYLTHYRHISLMVYLZPNO[ILJH\ZLUV^TVYL
[OHU`LHYZSH[LY(\Z[YHSPHUMHYTLYZZV^PUVJ\SH[LK
SLN\TLZLLKVUHIV\[TPSSPVUOLJ[HYLZLX\P]HSLU[[V
WLYJLU[VM[OLHYLHZV^U[VSLN\TLZ(SSVM[OLUP[YVNLU
MP_LKHUU\HSS`I`SLN\TLZNYV^PUNVU[OLZLUL^S`ZV^U
HYLHZ[VNL[OLY^P[O[OH[MP_LKI`[OLTPSSPVUOLJ[HYLZ
VMLZ[HISPZOLKHUKYLNLULYH[PUNSLN\TLIHZLKWHZ[\YLZ
JHUILH[[YPI\[LK[VLP[OLYJ\YYLU[VYWHZ[PUVJ\SH[PVU;OL
[V[HSHTV\U[VMUP[YVNLUMP_LKI`[OLHNYPJ\S[\YHSSLN\TLZ
PZLZ[PTH[LKH[TPSSPVU[VUULZHUU\HSS`^P[OHUVTPUHS
]HS\LMVY[OLPUK\Z[Y`VMJSVZL[VIPSSPVUHUU\HSS`/LYYPKNL
;OLZ\JJLZZVMSLN\TLPUVJ\SH[PVUHZHYV\[PULWYHJ[PJL
PU(\Z[YHSPHUHNYPJ\S[\YL^HZ\UKLYWPUULKI`LMMLJ[P]L
ZJPLU[PMPJYLZLHYJOHUK[YHPUPUNPU[OLZ[H[LKLWHY[TLU[Z
VMHNYPJ\S[\YL\UP]LYZP[PLZHUKZL]LYHS*:096KP]PZPVUZ
*LU[YLZMVYYLZLHYJOVU[OLSLN\TLYOPaVIPHZ`TIPVZPZ^LYL
LZ[HISPZOLKH[]HYPV\Z[PTLZPUHSS(\Z[YHSPHUZ[H[LZSLHKPUN
[VYHWPKHK]HUJLZPURUV^SLKNLHUKPUVJ\SHU[[LJOUVSVN`
HUKW\[[PUN(\Z[YHSPHMVYLTVZ[PU[OL^VYSKPUPUVJ\SHU[
KL]LSVWTLU[HUKHKVW[PVU0[PZ[PTLS`[OH[PU[OL
H\[OVYZ^OVHYLHSSPU]VS]LKPU[OLKPZJPWSPULVMYOPaVIPVSVN`
[HRL[PTLV\[[VJVTWPSLHTHU\HS[OH[YLSH[LZZJPLU[PMPJ
[OLVY`[V[OLWYHJ[PJHSHZWLJ[ZVM[OLSLN\TLYOPaVIPH
Z`TIPVZPZ
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
3LN\TLZOH]LILLU\ZLKHZHZV\YJLVMMVVKL]LYZPUJL
O\THURPUKMPYZ[[PSSLK[OLZVPSTHU`[OV\ZHUKZVM`LHYZ
HNV-YVT]LY`LHYS`[PTLZSLN\TLZ^LYLYLJVNUPZLKHZ
ºZVPSPTWYV]LYZ»;OLMHYTLYZVMHUJPLU[4LZVWV[HTPHNYL^
WLHZHUKILHUZPU[OLPYHNYPJ\S[\YHSZ`Z[LTZILJH\ZL[OL`
YLHSPZLK[OH[JLYLHSZ[OLPYTHPUZ[H`JYVWZ^LYLOLHS[OPLY
HUKOPNOLY`PLSKPUN^OLUNYV^UHM[LYHSLN\TLIYLHRJYVW
;OVZLSLN\TLZ^V\SKOH]LILLUUVK\SH[LK^P[OJVTWH[PISL
LMMLJ[P]LYOPaVIPH[OLNYV\WVMZVPSVYNHUPZTZ[OH[PUMLJ[[OL
YVV[ZVMSLN\TLZ[VMVYTUP[YVNLUMP_PUNYVV[UVK\SLZ
9OPaVIPHSP]LPUHTVKPMPLKMVYTPUUVK\SLZHUKMP_UP[YVNLU
NHZ5MYVT[OLH[TVZWOLYL;OLMPYZ[WYVK\J[VMUP[YVNLU
MP_H[PVUPZHTTVUPH^OPJOPZ[OLUJVU]LY[LK[VHTPUVHJPKZ
HUKHTPKLZ^P[OPU[OLUVK\SLZILMVYLILPUN[YHUZWVY[LK
PU[OL_`SLTZHW[VV[OLYWSHU[WHY[Z;OLZLWYVK\J[ZVM
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12
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
2 RHIZOBIA AND THE RHIZOBIA-LEGUME
SYMBIOSIS
Q Rhizobia
are bacteria that live in the soil, on plant roots and in legume nodules.
Q Rhizobia
only fix nitrogen when inside a legume nodule.
are many species of rhizobia.
Q Rhizobia
species are host (legume) specific. This means different legume species require
different rhizobial species to nodulate and fix nitrogen.
Q Rhizobia
need nutrition, water and aeration for growth.
Q Rhizobia
in inoculants are killed by heat (>35°C), desiccation, extremes of pH and toxic
chemicals.
2.1 What are rhizobia?
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Rhizobia are ‘probiotic’ bacteria that fix
nitrogen in the nodules on legumes.
2.2 Specificity of rhizobia
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Only specific rhizobia will nodulate and fix
nitrogen with a particular legume host – this is
why we have different inoculants.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Q There
13
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2.3 What do rhizobia need to prosper?
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14
TABLE 2.1 Some of the legume inoculant groups used
in Australian agriculture and their rhizobia (see Chapter
7 for a complete list of the inoculant groups).
Taxonomy of rhizobia
Sinorhizobium spp.
Commercial inoculant
group
Legumes nodulated
AL
Lucerne, strand and
disc medic
AM
All other annual medics
Rhizobium leguminosarum
bv. trifolii
B
C
Most annual clovers
Bradyrhizobium spp.
G1
Lupin, serradella
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Mesorhizobium ciceri
Rhizobium leguminosarum
bv. viciae
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
Mesorhizobium ciceri bv.
biserrulae
Bradyrhizobium spp.
Rhizobium sullae
Perennial clovers
S1
Serradella, lupin
N
Chickpea
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2.4 The process of nodulation
Rhizobia need adequate nutrients, moisture,
temperature, pH and aeration for growth and
survival.
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TABLE 2.2 Rhizobia are living organisms with simple
needs for growth and survival.
Requirement
Comment
Food and energy
Usually carbohydrates (sugars such as glucose)
Mineral nutrients
Essential macro and micro nutrients
Water
Rhizobia can only grow in moist conditions
E2
Field peas & vetch
Temperature
Preferred range is 15 to 30ºC
F2
Faba beans & lentil
pH
Preferred range is pH 6.0 to 7.5
H
Soybeans
Air
Rhizobia are aerobes and need oxygen for respiration
Biserrula special
Biserrula
P
Peanuts
Sulla special
Sulla
TABLE 2.3 Harsh environmental conditions kill rhizobia.
High Temperatures above 35°C will kill most rhizobia
Bradyrhizobium spp.
I
Cowpeas, mungbeans
Acidity and alkalinity pH sensitivity of rhizobia varies (see Table 2.4)
Bradyrhizobium spp.
J
Pigeon peas
Toxic chemicals
1 Both inoculant groups G and S can be used for lupin and serradella
2 Although group E is recommended for pea/vetch and group F for faba bean/lentil, if required group E can
also be used for faba beans/lentils and group F used for peas/vetch
Fungicides, solvents, alcohols and disinfectants kill
rhizobia
Inorganic chemicals High levels of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Co) kill rhizobia
15
TABLE 2.4 Sensitivity of key rhizobia to pH, where red is sensitive and green is optimal.
Rhizobia
Host legume
Bradyrhizobium spp.
Cowpea, mungbean, lupin, serradella
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
Soybean
Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii
Clovers
Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae
Pea, faba bean, lentil, vetch
Mesorhizobium ciceri
Chickpea
Sinorhizobium spp.
Medics
pH 4
pH 5
pH 6
pH 7
pH 8
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2.5 Root-hair infection
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TABLE 2.5 Types of infection processes used by
rhizobia to make root nodules for common legumes
grown in Australian agriculture.
Legume
Infection pathway
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Soybean
Root hair
Chickpea
Root hair
Pea
Root hair
Faba bean
Root hair
2.6 Nodule types
Clovers
Root hair
Medics
Root hair
Biserrula
Root hair
Serradella
Root hair
Lupin
Between epidermal cells
Peanut
At lateral root junctions
Stylosanthes
At lateral root junctions
;OLYLHYL[^VIHZPJ[`WLZVMUVK\SLZVUHNYPJ\S[\YHSSLN\TLZ
¶KL[LYTPUH[LHUKPUKL[LYTPUH[L;OLSLN\TLWSHU[HSVUL
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TPSSPTL[YLZPUKPHTL[LYHUKSHJRKPZ[PUJ[PU[LYUHSaVULZ0M[OL
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WPUR[OLU[OL`HYL\USPRLS`[VILMP_PUNUP[YVNLU:V`ILHUZ
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
(ULZZLU[PHSMLH[\YLVMUVK\SLMVYTH[PVUPZ[OLL_JOHUNL
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UVK\SL[OH[KL]LSVWZ
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P ]PHPUMLJ[PVUVM[OLWSHU[YVV[OHPYZ"
PP ]PHJYHJRLU[Y`H[IYLHRZPU[OLYVV[Z^OLYLSH[LYHSYVV[Z
LTLYNL"HUK
PPP IL[^LLULWPKLYTHSYVV[Z\YMHJLJLSSZ
WLHU\[ZZLYYHKLSSHSV[\ZUH]`ILHUZJV^WLHZHUKWPNLVU
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[OLZLHZVUHUKJHUYLTHPUM\UJ[PVUHS[VTLL[[OLUP[YVNLU
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MPUNLYSPRLWYVQLJ[PVUZ[VNP]LHJVYHSSVPKHWWLHYHUJL
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V\[ZPKL[PWHYLNPVUJHSSLK[OLTLYPZ[LT(S[OV\NOZVTL
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TLKPJJSV]LYIPZLYY\SHHUKZ\SSHHYLSLN\TLZ[OH[MVYT
PUKL[LYTPUH[LUVK\SLZ
2.7 Other important symbioses
that fix nitrogen
P (
JHJPH^H[[SLZHYLHNYV\WVMSLN\TLZ[OH[MVYTUVK\SLZ
PUHZZVJPH[PVU^P[OYOPaVIPH<USPRLHSS[OLHNYPJ\S[\YHS
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HYLJHSSLK-YHURPH;OL`NYV^HZSVUNMPSHTLU[ZHUK
HWWLHYTVYLSPRLM\UNP[OHUIHJ[LYPH
2.8 Causes of poor nitrogen fixation –
legume and rhizobia incompatibility
16
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
(S[OV\NOZJPLU[PZ[ZL_WLUKHJVUZPKLYHISLHTV\U[VM[PTL
HUKLMMVY[ZLSLJ[PUNLSP[LZ[YHPUZVMYOPaVIPHHUKWYV]PKL
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V[OLYZ[YHPUZVMZVPSYOPaVIPH;OLX\HSP[`VM[OLPUVJ\SHU[HUK
P[ZZ\Y]P]HSK\YPUN[OLWYVJLZZVMPUVJ\SH[PVUPZJYP[PJHSPU[OPZ
JVTWL[P[PVU;OPZPZJV]LYLKPUTVYLKL[HPSPUSH[LYJOHW[LYZ
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\UKLYZ[VVKZJLUHYPVPU(\Z[YHSPHPZ[OH[VMIPZLYY\SHHU
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ZL]LU`LHYZ^LUV[PJLK[OH[HZTHSSWYVWVY[PVUVMUVK\SLZ
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[OLPYUVK\SH[PVUNLULZ^P[OZVPSIHJ[LYPH"Z\JOZ[YHPUZ^V\SK
ILPKLHSMVY\ZLHZPUVJ\SHU[Z
3 NUMBER AND NITROGEN FIXATION
CAPACITY OF RHIZOBIA IN SOILS
17
Q Many
soils have developed communities of rhizobia that are able to nodulate the legumes
used in agriculture.
number of rhizobia in soil is influenced by legume use and soil properties, particularly pH.
Q Different
legumes and their rhizobia have different tolerances to soil pH.
Q Where
the legume host has not been grown recently or where soil conditions are stressful
to short and long-term survival of the rhizobia, there is a good likelihood of response to
inoculation.
Q Communities
of rhizobia in soil tend to become more diverse with time and often less
effective at fixing nitrogen, compared to commercial inoculant strains.
Q Some
legume species readily form less effective symbioses with soil rhizobia, while other
legume species do not.
Q Inoculant
strains, when applied at high numbers, can compete with background soil rhizobia.
This provides the opportunity to introduce effective strains.
3.1 Introduction
VM[OLWYL]PV\ZMV\Y`LHYZ;OLWYVISLT^P[O[OPZZPTWSPZ[PJ
Y\SLPZ[OH[P[MHPSZ[VYLJVNUPZL[OH[[OLSL]LSVMUVK\SH[PVU
)LMVYL,\YVWLHUZL[[SLTLU[(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZSHJRLK[OL
VM[OLWYL]PV\ZJYVWJHUHMMLJ[[OLJ\YYLU[WVW\SH[PVUVM
YOPaVIPHULLKLKMVY[OLW\SZLHUKWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZ[OH[
YOPaVIPHPU[OLZVPSHUK[OH[THU`ZVPSZHYLUV[JVUK\JP]L[V
HYLUV^JVTTVUS`NYV^UPUMHYTPUNZ`Z[LTZ/V^L]LY
[OLZ\Y]P]HSVMSHYNLU\TILYZVMYOPaVIPHILJH\ZLVMMHJ[VYZ
HM[LYTVYL[OHUHJLU[\Y`VMSLN\TLJ\S[P]H[PVUTHU`ZVPSZ
Z\JOHZL_[YLTLZVMZVPSW/HUKSV^JSH`JVU[LU[(SZV[OL
OH]LKL]LSVWLKSHYNLHUKKP]LYZLJVTT\UP[PLZVM[OLZL
JVTT\UP[PLZVMYOPaVIPH[OH[KL]LSVW\UKLYSLN\TLJ\S[P]H[PVU
PU[YVK\JLKYOPaVIPH
9OPaVIPHILJVTLLZ[HISPZOLKPUZVPSZPUZL]LYHS^H`Z4HU` VM[LUILJVTLSLZZLMMLJ[P]LH[MP_PUNUP[YVNLUV]LY[PTL
^LYLPU[YVK\JLKHZOPNOX\HSP[`PUVJ\SHU[Z6[OLYZHYYP]LK
HJJPKLU[S`^P[O[OLTV]LTLU[VMK\Z[ZVPSHUKZLLKHYV\UK
3.3 How many soil rhizobia are needed
[OLJV\U[Y`HUKZVTLOH]LL]VS]LK]PHNLUL[PJL_JOHUNL^P[O
for prompt nodulation?
V[OLYIHJ[LYPHPU[OLZVPSZLL*OHW[LY/V^L]LYILJH\ZL
;OLU\TILYVMZVPSYOPaVIPHULLKLKMVYWYVTW[UVK\SH[PVU
YOPaVIPHHYLSLN\TLZWLJPMPJHUK[OLPYWLYZPZ[LUJLPZHMMLJ[LK
SPLZZVTL^OLYLIL[^LLUHUKYOPaVIPHWLYNYHT
I`ZVPSJOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZHUKJ\S[\YHSWYHJ[PJLZ[OLPYKP]LYZP[`
VMZVPS
U\TILYHUKUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUJHWHJP[`JHU]HY`NYLH[S`
>LZH`[OPZMVY[^VYLHZVUZ-PYZ[^OLUJVTTLYJPHS
;OPZJOHW[LYL_HTPULZZVTLVM[OLMHJ[VYZSLHKPUN[V[OPZ PUVJ\SHU[ZVMYOPaVIPHHYLHWWSPLKH[YLJVTTLUKLKYH[LZ
]HYPHIPSP[`HUKP[ZPTWSPJH[PVUZMVYUVK\SH[PVUHUKUP[YVNLU
[OL`HKK[OLLX\P]HSLU[VMHIV\[YOPaVIPHWLYNYHTVMZVPS
MP_H[PVUI`KPMMLYLU[SLN\TLZ
[VHJLU[PTL[YLKLW[O;OPZYLZ\S[ZPUWYVTW[UVK\SH[PVU
:LJVUK[OLL]PKLUJLMYVTTHU`MPLSKHUKNYLLUOV\ZL
L_WLYPTLU[ZPZ[OH[[OLYLPZWVVYUVK\SH[PVUVUJL[OLU\TILY
3.2 How do we know if a soil has
VMYOPaVIPHPUZVPSPZSLZZ[OHUWLYNYHT
the right rhizobia?
/PNOU\TILYZVMYOPaVIPHYLZ\S[PUWYVTW[UVK\SH[PVUHUK
;OLSLN\TLOPZ[VY`VM[OLZVPSWYV]PKLZZVTLN\PKL0MH
WSHU[Z[LUK[VOH]LTHU`UVK\SLZVU[OL[HWYVV[JSVZL[V
SLN\TLZWLJPLZVYV[OLYZ]LY`ZPTPSHY[VP[OHZUV[ILLU
[OL[VWVM[OLYVV[Z`Z[LT-PN\YL
NYV^UPUHWHKKVJR[OLUP[PZ\USPRLS`[OLYOPaVIPHMVY[OH[
3V^U\TILYZVMZVPSYOPaVIPHJHUYLZ\S[PUKLSH`LK
SLN\TL^PSSILWYLZLU[PU[OLZVPSPUOPNOU\TILYZ
UVK\SH[PVUHUKZTHSSLYU\TILYZVMUVK\SLZVU[OLYVV[Z
*VU]LYZLS`^OLYL[OLYLOHZILLUHYLJLU[OPZ[VY`VM
^LSSUVK\SH[LKSLN\TLZPUHWHKKVJR[OLYLPZHYLHZVUHISL
JOHUJL[OLYOPaVIPH[OH[UVK\SH[LK[OLSLN\TL^PSSYLTHPUPU 3.4 Measuring the number of
[OLZVPS
rhizobia in soil
:VTLL_[LUZPVUTH[LYPHSZZ\NNLZ[[OH[PUVJ\SH[PVUPZ
-PYZ[P[PZULJLZZHY`[VWVPU[V\[[OH[ZVPSZVM[LUJVU[HPU
UV[ULJLZZHY`PM[OLSLN\TLOVZ[OHZILLUNYV^UPUHU`
ZL]LYHSZWLJPLZVMYOPaVIPH-VYL_HTWSLP[PZJVTTVU
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Q The
[VMPUKJSV]LYS\JLYULHUKMPLSKWLHYOPaVIPHPU[OLZHTL
WHKKVJRPMHSS[OVZLSLN\TLZOHKILLUNYV^UILMVYL
(SHIVYH[VY`IHZLKWSHU[UVK\SH[PVU[LZ[PZ\ZLK[V
KL[LYTPUL[OLU\TILYVMYOPaVIPHPUZVPS;OLSLN\TLVM
PU[LYLZ[PZPUVJ\SH[LK^P[OHZLX\LUJLVMKPS\[PVUZVM[OL
JVSSLJ[LKZVPS-PN\YL(M[LYMV\Y^LLRZWSHU[NYV^[O
[OLU\TILYVMWSHU[Z^P[OUVK\SLZPULHJOVM[OLKPMMLYLU[
ZVPSKPS\[PVUZPZ\ZLK[VJHSJ\SH[L[OLU\TILYVMYOPaVIPHPU
[OLVYPNPUHSZVPSZHTWSLJHSSLKHTVZ[WYVIHISLU\TILY
JHSJ\SH[PVU>OPSL[OPZ[LZ[PZUV[H]HPSHISL[VNYV^LYZP[OHZ
ILLU\ZLKI`YLZLHYJOLYZ[VX\HU[PM`U\TILYZVMYOPaVIPHPU
[OV\ZHUKZVM(\Z[YHSPHUWHKKVJRZ
;OL[LZ[PZNLULYHSS`\ZLK^P[OZVPSZJVSSLJ[LKMYVT[OL
[VWJLU[PTL[YLZVM[OLWYVMPSLILJH\ZL[OPZPZ^OLYLTVZ[
YOPaVIPHHYLJVUJLU[YH[LKHUK[O\Z^OLYLTVZ[UVK\SH[PVU
VMHUU\HSSLN\TLZVJJ\YZ
9OPaVIPHHYLHSZVMV\UKKLLWLYPU[OLZVPSWYVMPSLHUKWSH`
HUPTWVY[HU[YVSLPUUVK\SH[PUNHUU\HSSLN\TLZ[V^HYKZ[OL
LUKVM[OLPYNYV^[OHUKPUUVK\SH[PUNWLYLUUPHSSLN\TLZ
Z\JOHZS\JLYUL;OLZLYOPaVIPHHYLZLSKVTTLHZ\YLK
;OLU\TILYVMYOPaVIPHHSZV]HY`^P[OPUHNYV^PUNZLHZVU
WHY[PJ\SHYS`^OLUHSLN\TLOVZ[PZNYV^U-PN\YL
5\TILYZZ[HY[[VPUJYLHZLH[[OLIYLHRVM[OLZLHZVUHZ
ZVPSZILJVTL^L[[LYHUK[OLSLN\TLOVZ[NLYTPUH[LZ;OL
YOPaVIPHHYLZ[PT\SH[LK[VT\S[PWS`PU[OLPTTLKPH[L]PJPUP[`VM
[OLYVV[YOPaVZWOLYL;OL`JHUX\PJRS`T\S[PWS`[VSL]LSZVM
WLYNYHTVMZVPS
6UJL[OLYOPaVIPHOH]LPUMLJ[LK[OLYVV[[OL`T\S[PWS`HUK
FIGURE 3.1 Example of prompt and abundant nodulation
on a pea root collected from a paddock containing
an adequate number of rhizobia.
18
JOHUNLPU[VIHJ[LYVPKZ[OH[HYLHISL[VMP_UP[YVNLU^OPJO
[OL`JHUUV[KVPU[OLMYLLSP]PUNMVYT;OLYVV[JLSSZPUMLJ[LK
^P[OYOPaVIPHJVSSLJ[P]LS`MVYT[OLUVK\SLZ
>OLUHUU\HSSLN\TLZZL[ZLLK[OLPYUVK\SLZILNPU[V
ZO\[KV^UHZJHYIVO`KYH[LZ[OH[WYV]PKLLULYN`[V[OL
UVK\SLZHYLKP]LY[LK[VZLLKKL]LSVWTLU[,]LU[\HSS`[OL
UVK\SLZZLULZJLHUK[OLYOPaVIPHHYLYLSLHZLKIHJRPU[V[OL
ZVPS4LHZ\YLZVMYOPaVIPHSU\TILYZH[[OPZ[PTLJHUL_JLLK
VULTPSSPVUWLYNYHTVMZVPS
9OPaVIPHSU\TILYZTH`[OLUKLJSPUL[VSLZZ[OHUWLY
NYHTVMZVPSV]LY[OLUL_[ML^TVU[OZPMZVPSJVUKP[PVUZHYL
\UMH]V\YHISLVYWLYZPZ[H[HSL]LSVMTHU`[OV\ZHUKZ\UKLY
TVYLILUPNUJVUKP[PVUZ
9OPaVIPHHYLZLUZP[P]L[VKLZPJJH[PVUHUKZV[LUK[VIL
H[[OLPYSV^LZ[U\TILYH[[OLLUKVMOV[KY`Z\TTLYZPU
[LTWLYH[LYLNPVUZ/LUJLZVPSZHTWSLZJVSSLJ[LKJSVZL[V
[OLZ[HY[VM[OLNYV^PUNZLHZVUWYV]PKLHNVVKJVUZLY]H[P]L
N\PKL[V[OLU\TILYVMYOPaVIPHH]HPSHISLMVYSLN\TL
UVK\SH[PVU
3.5 What numbers of rhizobia
persist in soils?
>OLYLZVPSJVUKP[PVUZHYLMH]V\YHISLYOPaVIPHHYLHISL[V
Z\Y]P]LPU[OLZVPSMVYTHU``LHYZL]LUPU[OLHIZLUJLVM
[OLPYSLN\TLOVZ[0U[OPZZ[H[L[OLYOPaVIPHHYLRUV^U
HZZHWYVWO`[LZTPJYVVYNHUPZTZ[OH[SP]LVUKLHKVY
KLJH`PUNVYNHUPJTH[[LY;OL`JHUHSZVSP]LPUVYULHY[OL
YOPaVZWOLYLZVMUVUSLN\TPUV\ZWSHU[ZHUK\[PSPZL[OLPY
YVV[L_\KH[LZ,]LUZVPU[OLHIZLUJLVMHSLN\TLOVZ[
U\TILYZ^PSSWYVNYLZZP]LS`KLJYLHZL-PN\YL
:\Y]L`ZVMZVPSZWYV]PKLHZUHWZOV[VM[OLU\TILYVM
YOPaVIPHH[HNP]LU[PTLHUKYL]LHS[OH[THU`ZVPSZZ\WWVY[
SHYNLU\TILYZVMYOPaVIPH0[PZUV[\U\Z\HS[VTLHZ\YLTVYL
[OHUYOPaVIPHWLYNYHTPU[OL[VWJLU[PTL[YLZVMZVPS
H[[OLLUKVMZ\TTLY(TPSSPVUYOPaVIPHWLYNYHTOH]LILLU
TLHZ\YLKPUZVTLPUZ[HUJLZ-PN\YLZOV^ZOV^[OL
U\TILYZVMYOPaVIPHMVY[OYLLW\SZLHUK[^VWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZ
]HY`PU(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZ
FIGURE 3.2 Method for counting rhizobia in soil.
Plants are inoculated with different soil dilutions and the
frequency of nodulation is measured.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
FIGURE 3.3 Hypothetical scenarios of changes in the number of rhizobia through the seasonal cycle of an annual
legume in southern Australia (Mediterranean climate).
Number of rhizobia per gram of soil (0 to 10cm)
Plant germination
multiplication of
Number of
rhizobia in
rhizobia
rhizosphere
pre-sowing
Inoculum level
available to
nodulate
regenerating
pasture
Rhizobia
surviving as
saprophytes
Nodule
senescence and
release of rhizobia
19
1,000,000
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
100,000
10,000
1000
100
10
1
Feb
Jan
Benign soil
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Stressful soil
9OPaVIPHMVY[OLWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZTLKPJHUKJSV]LYHYL
HI\UKHU[^P[OTVYL[OHUWLYJLU[VMZVPSZJVU[HPUPUN
VYTVYLYOPaVIPHWLYNYHT3HYNLHYLHZ[OH[NYV^
ZV^UYLNLULYH[PUNHUKUH[\YHSPZLKWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZH[SLHZ[
TPSSPVUOLJ[HYLZHJYVZZ[OLJV\U[Y`HPK[OLT\S[PWSPJH[PVU
HUKZ\Y]P]HSVM[OLZLYOPaVIPH
9OPaVIPHMVY[OLW\SZLSLN\TLZHYLSLZZHI\UKHU[-VY
WLHZJOPJRWLHZHUKS\WPUTVYL[OHUWLYJLU[VMZVPSZ
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THRPUNZLUZPISLKLJPZPVUZHIV\[M\Y[OLYPUVJ\SH[PVU
3.6 Factors affecting the survival of
rhizobia in soil
FIGURE 3.4 Relationship between years of absence of
the host crop and number of rhizobia in a relatively
favourable soil.
FIGURE 3.5 Percentage of soils classified according to
number of pea, chickpea, sub-clover, medic or lupin
rhizobia they contain.
Number of rhizobia per gram of soil
10,000
Percentage of soils
120
9LNPVUHSSVJHSPUMS\LUJLZJHUZ[YVUNS`HMMLJ[[OLVJJ\YYLUJL
VMYOPaVIPHPUZVPS;OLZLYLNPVUHSLMMLJ[ZYLMSLJ[IV[O
OPZ[VYPJHSKPMMLYLUJLZPUSLN\TLZ\ZLHZ^LSSHZKPMMLYLUJLZPU
[OLWO`ZPJHSHUKJOLTPJHSJOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZVM[OLZVPSZ
3.6.1 Influence of host legume
([HYLNPVUHSSL]LS[OLTVYL^PKLS`HSLN\TLOHZILLU
NYV^U[OLTVYLSPRLS`ZVPSZ^PSSJVU[HPU[OLJVTWH[PISL
YOPaVIPH-VYL_HTWSLHSS[OLJOPJRWLHZVPSZ^P[OV\[YOPaVIPH
100
1000
80
60
100
40
10
20
0
1
0
2
8
10
12
Years since previous host crop
14
16
SOURCE: Pea and lupin data from Evans 2005; Ballard et al. 2004;
Fettell et al. 1997; Slattery and Coventry 1989; Drew et al. 2012
pea
(n=176)
not quantified
chickpea
(n=41)
subclover
(n=236)
not detected
1 to 100
medic
(n=480)
lupin
(n=100)
101 to 1000
>1000
SOURCE: Chatel and Parker 1973; Slattery and Coventry 1989; Fettell et al. 1997; McInnes 2002;
Howieson and Ballard 2004; Ballard et al. 2004; Evans 2005; Elias 2009; Drew et al. 2011, 2012
TABLE 3.1 Optimal pH (in calcium chloride) for a range
of key legumes (most acid-tolerant at top and the least
acid-tolerant at the bottom) .
Legume species
20
Soils vary widely in the number and type of
rhizobia they support.
Soil properties and legume use are major
factors affecting numbers of rhizobia in soil.
Optimal pH range
Lupin and serradella
4.5 to 7.0
Peanut
4.5 to 7.0
Mungbean
5.0 to 7.5
3.6.2 Influence of soil type
Soybean
5.0 to 7.5
Subclover
5.0 to 8.0
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-PN\YL
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Burr, murex, sphere medic
5.5 to 8.0
Pea/faba bean/lentil
5.5 to 8.0
Chickpea
6.0 to 8.5
Lucerne
6.0 to 8.5
Strand and barrel medic
6.5 to 8.5
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INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
FIGURE 3.6 Relationship between soil pH and the
QXPEHURIðHOGSHDUKL]RELDLQVRLOVZLWKDKLVWRU\RI
ðHOGSHD
Pea rhizobia per gram of soil
10,000
FIGURE 3.7 Correlation between soil pH (0 to 10 cm)
and the percentage of one-year-old lucerne plants
with nodules.
Plants with nodules (%)
100
R2 = 0.94
80
1000
60
100
40
10
20
1
3.5
4.5
5.5
6.5
Soil pH (CaCl2)
7.5
8.5
SOURCE: Drew et al. 2012
0
3.5
4.0
4.5
Soil pH (calcium)
5.0
5.5
SOURCE: Unpublished data from Nigel Charman and colleagues
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Soil pH affects survival of the rhizobia and the
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FIGURE 3.8 Different strains are shown as different
‘barcodes’. Many different strains can be isolated
from the nodules of a single subclover plant.
Commercial strains
Rhizobia strains isolated from a single soil
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3.7 Diversity of soil rhizobia
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FIGURE 3.9 Example of different nodule types on
SHDLQRFXODWHGZLWKðHOGVRLO
White
Pink
White
21
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Different legume symbioses have different
D
tolerances
to extremes of soil pH.
3.6.3 Other factors
22
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Communities of soil rhizobia are complex,
comprising many strains.
It is common to find 10 different strains
forming the nodules on a single plant.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Soil rhizobia are rarely identified as the same
strains used in inoculants.
3.8 How well do the soil rhizobia fix
nitrogen with legumes?
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FIGURE 3.11 Distribution of soils according to the
effectiveness of their subclover rhizobia relative to
an effective inoculant strain.
Number of soils
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
01110% 20%
2130%
3140%
4150%
5160%
6170%
7180%
81- 9190% 100%
SOURCE: Drew and Ballard 2010, Drew et al. 2011
TABLE 3.2 Mean symbiotic capacity of temperate
legumes with soil rhizobia relative to effective inoculant
strains and distribution of the communities of soil
rhizobia based on their classification as effective,
moderately effective or ineffective.
Legume
Mean nitrogen Percentage distribution of soil rhizobia
fixation capacity communities based on their symbiotic
(%)
capacity
Moderately
Effective
effective Ineffective
* 75%
) 50%
50 to 75%
78
68
23
11
Chickpea
60
25
40
35
>75
-
-
-
Subclover
58
19
49
32
Strand medic
62
36
34
30
Burr medic
36
15
21
64
Lucerne
84
89
11
0
Biserrula
>75
92
-
8
Yellow serradellaA
A determined using individual strains isolated from soils.
SOURCE: Bowman et al. 1998; Brockwell 2001; McInnes 2002; Ballard et al. 2003;
Charman and Ballard 2004; Ballard et al. 2004; Elias 2009;
Drew and Ballard 2010; Drew et al. 2011, 2012.
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VM[OLYOPaVIPHH[[OLL_WLUZLVMUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUJHWHJP[`
Some legume species are more readily
compatible with a range of soil rhizobia than
other legumes.
3.9 Dealing with soil rhizobia
>OLYLSHYNLHUKWLYZPZ[LU[WVW\SH[PVUZVMYOPaVIPHHYL
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[V[OLU\TILYVMYOPaVIPHWLYNYHTVMZVPS[OLU[OLPUVJ\SHU[
Z[YHPUPZHISL[VMVYTZ\MMPJPLU[UVK\SLZ[VPTWYV]LWSHU[
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-VYL_HTWSLPU-PN\YLHNYV^[OYLZWVUZL[V
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N\PKLSPULZ[OH[ZWLJPM`TPUPT\TPUVJ\SH[PVUZ[HUKHYKZVM
JLSSZWLYZLLKMVYZ\I[LYYHULHUJSV]LYHUKZPTPSHYS`
ZPaLKWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZ
FIGURE 3.12 Ineffective soil rhizobia (across the
bottom are the log number rhizobia per gram soil)
are overcome when equivalent numbers of inoculant
rhizobia are applied to the seed (shown as log
number per seed).
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Field pea
23
Many soils contain rhizobia that are less
effective than inoculant strains.
Photo: JA Ireland 1968
Inoculant strains can compete with large
populations of soil rhizobia so long as they are
applied in sufficient numbers.
24
,HYSPLYPU[OPZJOHW[LY^LZ[H[L[OH[P[PZJVTTVU^OLYL
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VM]HYPL[PLZ[OH[JHUILLMMLJ[P]LS`UVK\SH[LKI`HSHYNL
WYVWVY[PVUVMZVPSYOPaVIPHPZILPUNPU]LZ[PNH[LK[VWYV]PKLH
SVUN[LYTZVS\[PVU
3.10 Concluding comments
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
(M[LYTVYL[OHU`LHYZVMSLN\TLJ\S[P]H[PVUTHU`
(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZOH]LKL]LSVWLKZ\IZ[HU[PHSWVW\SH[PVUZ
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4 RHIZOBIAL INOCULANTS – STRAINS
AND QUALITY CONTROL
25
Q Strains
of rhizobia used in commercial inoculants must satisfy a number of criteria,
including effectiveness at fixing nitrogen.
inoculants are formulated and available in peat, clay or peat granules,
liquids and as a freeze-dried powder.
Q Inoculants
are applied to the seed at sowing or directly to the soil in the vicinity
of the seed at sowing.
Q Rhizobial
inoculants in Australia are subjected to independent quality testing
by the Australian Inoculants Research Group (AIRG).
Q Inoculants
meeting the standards of the independent AIRG quality testing display
the Green Tick Logo.
Q The
Green Tick Logo does not guarantee inoculant efficacy in the field,
as this is influenced by a number of other factors.
Q Testing
of inoculants and preinoculated pasture legume seed at the point-of-sale
indicate high quality of inoculants but problems with often very low numbers of rhizobia
on preinoculated seed.
4.1 What are legume (rhizobial)
inoculants?
0UVJ\SHU[ZMVYSLN\TLZHYLWYVK\J[ZJVU[HPUPUNJVTTLYJPHSS`
WYLWHYLKJ\S[\YLZVMYOPaVIPHWYV[LJ[LKPUJHYYPLYZ[OH[Z\WWS`
SHYNLU\TILYZVM]PHISLYOPaVIPHMVY[OLLMMLJ[P]LUVK\SH[PVU
VMSLN\TLZ;OLW\YWVZLVMSLN\TLPUVJ\SH[PVUPZ[VZ\WWS`
ZLSLJ[LKYOPaVIPHSZ[YHPUZPUSHYNLU\TILYZ[V[OLYVV[ZVM
[OLSLN\TLZZVVUHM[LYNLYTPUH[PVUVW[PTPZPUN[OLJOHUJLZ
VMLMMLJ[P]LUVK\SH[PVUZ`TIPV[PJUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUHUKWSHU[
HUKNYHPU`PLSK^OPSLKLJYLHZPUNPUW\[JVZ[Z
0UVJ\SHU[ZPU(\Z[YHSPHJVU[HPUYOPaVIPHSZ[YHPUZ[OH[OH]L
ILLUZLSLJ[LKHJJVYKPUN[V[OLMVSSV^PUNJYP[LYPHLZ[HISPZOLK
K\YPUNTHU``LHYZVMZJPLU[PMPJYLZLHYJO
4.1.2 Genetic stability
;OLZ[YHPUT\Z[THPU[HPUP[ZZ`TIPV[PJJHWHJP[`UVK\SH[PVU
HUKUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUWLYMVYTHUJLHUKV[OLYRL`[YHP[Z
K\YPUNJ\S[\YLTHU\MHJ[\YLHUKHWWSPJH[PVU:[YHPUZHYL
[LZ[LKMVYNLUL[PJZ[HIPSP[`[OYV\NOV\[[OLZLSLJ[PVUWYVJLZZ
HUKHUU\HSS`VUJL[OL`HYL\ZLKHZJVTTLYJPHSPUVJ\SHU[Z
FIGURE 4.1 Growth of subterranean clover in N-free
medium inoculated with a highly effective rhizobial strain.
4.1.1 Effectiveness of rhizobia and
their legume host range
;OLYLHYL[OV\ZHUKZVMZ[YHPUZVMYOPaVIPH[OH[JHUUVK\SH[L
HUKMP_UP[YVNLU^P[OHWHY[PJ\SHYSLN\TLOVZ[/V^L]LY[OL
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LU]PYVUTLU[Z^OLYL[OLSLN\TLZHYLNYV^UJVTTLYJPHSS`
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UP[YVNLUPUZ\I[LYYHULHUJSV]LYWSHU[ZNYV^UPU5KLMPJPLU[
TLKP\TPZZOV^UPU-PN\YL
Host: T. subterraneum L.
var WOODGENELLUP
Uninoculated
Inoculated with Rhizobium I. bv. trifolii
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Q Rhizobial
Strains of rhizobia are selected to ensure
maximum nitrogen fixation. Important criteria
are:
Q Effectiveness
Q Host
range
Q Field
performance
Q Soil
persistence
Q Genetic
stability
Q Manufacturability
Q Inoculant
survival
4.1.3 Potential for scale-up production as
commercial inoculants
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SHYNLU\TILYZPUJVTTLYJPHSPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZ
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4.1.4 Ability to survive during inoculant application
:[YHPUZ]HY`PU[OLPYHIPSP[`[VZ\Y]P]LVUZLLK:LLKPUVJ\SH[PVU
PZHJVU]LUPLU[HUK[OLTVZ[^PKLS`\ZLK^H`[VPU[YVK\JL
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4.3 Application of inoculants
(WWSPJH[PVUVMPUVJ\SHU[ZPZJV]LYLKL_[LUZP]LS`PU*OHW[LY
7LH[MYLLaLKYPLKHUKSPX\PKPUVJ\SHU[ZJHUILHWWSPLKLP[OLY
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ZV^WYVK\J[7YLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKPZNLULYHSS`JVH[LK^P[OH
[OPJRWLSSL[JVU[HPUPUNZL]LYHSV[OLYWSHU[NYV^[OLUOHUJLYZ
+LZJYPW[PVUZVMZLLKWYLPUVJ\SH[PVUWYVJLZZLZHUK
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+LHRLYL[HSHUK/HY[SL`L[HS
4.4 Quality of inoculants
0U(\Z[YHSPHK\YPUN[OL ZHUKLHYS` Z[OLHYLH
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(KVW[PVUVM[OL<:[LJOUVSVN`\ZPUNWLH[HZHJHYYPLY
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ILSLZZMYLX\LU[MVYHUU\HSSLN\TLWHZ[\YLZHZWSHU[ZHYL
[`WPJHSS`YLNLULYH[LKMYVTZVPSZLLKIHURZ>OPSLWLYZPZ[LUJL LTPULU[TPJYVIPVSVNPZ[MYVT[OL<UP]LYZP[`VM:`KUL`HZZLY[LK
[OH[WVVYX\HSP[`PUVJ\SHU[ZJVZ[NYV^LYZPUSVZ[WYVK\J[PVU
VMWLYLUUPHSWHZ[\YLYVV[ZHSSV^ZJVU[PU\HSJVSVUPZH[PVUHUK
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HYLHIZLU[K\YPUN[OLZ\TTLYTVU[OZHUKYOPaVIPHT\Z[
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4.2 Inoculant formulations
;OLX\HSP[`JVU[YVSHUKHZZ\YHUJLVMSLN\TLPUVJ\SHU[Z
;OLYLHYLZL]LYHSKPMMLYLU[JVTTLYJPHSPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZ
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.YV\W(09.\UKLY[OLH\ZWPJLZVM[OL5:>+LWHY[TLU[VM
-VYT\SH[PVUZPUJS\KLWLH[NYHU\SHYSPX\PKHUKMYLLaL
7YPTHY`0UK\Z[YPLZ+70IHZLKH[6\YPTIHO;OLº5H[PVUHS
KYPLKPUVJ\SHU[Z!
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4.5 How do we know if an inoculant is
YOPaVIPHMVY\W[VTVU[OZ
high-quality?
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4.1.5 Persistence in soil in absence of host –
known as ‘saprophytic competence’
26
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INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
FIGURE 4.3 Preinoculated lucerne seed.
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27
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JVU[HTPUHU[Z
FIGURE 4.2 Commercial inoculant formulations available for inoculating crop and pasture legumes: A – moist peat;
B – peat granules (left), bentonite clay (middle), attapulgite clay (right); C – liquid inoculants; D – freeze-dried
inoculants.
A
C
B
D
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
The Green Tick Logo indicates that an
inoculant has been independently tested and
satisfies Australian quality standards.
;OLSVNVHSZVPUKPJH[LZ[OH[SHILSSPUNZ[HUKHYKZOH]LILLU FIGURE 4.4 Registered trademark for inoculants quality –
the Green Tick Logo.
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4.6 Who tests inoculant quality?
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28
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TABLE 4.1 Australian minimum standards
for legume inoculants.
Product
Peat (CFU/g)
Initial
count after
manufacture
Count
throughout
shelf life
Expiry
(months)
_ 1 x 109
>
_> 1 x 108
1 x 10*
9
9
Liquid (CFU/mL)
_ 5 x 10
>
_ 1 x 10
>
6
Granules (MPN/ha)
_ 1 x 1010
>
_ 1 x 1010
>
6
Freeze dried (CFU/vial)
_ 1 x 1012
>
_ 5 x 1011
>
6
CFU: culture forming units; MPN: most probable number.
Standards for inoculants applied to seed have been set to achieve particular numbers depending on seed
size. For large seeded legumes (e.g. soybeans), the number is 100,000 rhizobia/seed; for medium seeds (e.g.
lentils), 10,000 rhizobia/seed; for small seeds (e.g. subterranean clover and lucerne), 1,000 rhizobia/seed
and very small seeds (e.g. white clover), 500 rhizobia/seed.
Numerical standards for CB376 for Lotononis bainesii are 2 x 108 rhizobia/g moist peat (2 x 107 rhizobia/g at
expiry). Standard for liquids based on a three litre bottle used to treat one tonne of seed. Standard for freezedried based on vial used to treat one tonne of tonne seed. (Information on standards from Australian Legume
Inoculant Research Unit Annual Report 2007)
* Based on current data, 18 months expiry applies for groups E, F, G and N stored at 4ºC. Group G is
applicable to strain WU425 only.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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4.7 Numerical standards
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4.8 Does a high-quality inoculant
guarantee efficacy in the field?
4.9 What is the quality of inoculants and
preinoculated seeds in Australia?
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4.10 Quality of preinoculated seed
(rhizobial numbers)
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4.11 Non-rhizobial inoculants
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FIGURE 4.5 Survival of rhizobia on seed of different
preinoculated pasture species over time. Data from
the AIRG surveys of preinoculated seed, sourced at
point-of-sale (resellers) during 2005-10.
Number of rhizobia/seed
20,000
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0
50 100
Lucerne
150 200 250 300 350
Age of preinoculated seed (days)
Subclover
White clover
400
450 500
29
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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4.12 Concluding comments
30
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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+LWHY[TLU[VM(NYPJ\S[\YL[VJVUK\J[X\HSP[`HZZLZZTLU[
(KKP[PVUHSS`[OLSHIVYH[VY`HJ[LKHZHYLZV\YJL[VHZZPZ[
[OLPUK\Z[Y`[VJVU[PU\HSS`PTWYV]LPUVJ\SHU[Z5V^
`LHYZSH[LY[OLZ`Z[LT^P[OP[ZJSLHYS`Z[H[LKMYHTL^VYROHZ
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[OH[V[OLYJV\U[YPLZMVSSV^
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[OYV\NO[OLVUNVPUN[LZ[PUNWYVNYHTHUKKPSPNLUJLPU
HKKYLZZPUN[OLTOHZTLHU[[OH[(\Z[YHSPHUNYV^LYZHYLUV^
NLULYHSS`Z\WWSPLK^P[OOPNOX\HSP[`WYVK\J[;OLUL^*VKL
VM7YHJ[PJLPUJVYWVYH[PUN[OL.YLLU;PJR3VNVWYVNYHT
ZOV\SKWYV]PKLM\Y[OLYZ\WWVY[MVY[OLX\LZ[MVYX\HSP[`
PUVJ\SHU[Z
5 INOCULATION IN PRACTICE
31
Q Inoculation
is relatively inexpensive and good insurance – always inoculate with AIRGapproved* inoculants.
Q Match
the correct inoculant group to each legume.
carry live root nodule bacteria (rhizobia), which die from exposure to sunlight,
high temperatures, chemicals and freezing temperatures.
Q Always
use inoculants before their use-by-date has expired.
Q Keep
inoculants dry and cool, and reseal opened bags of inoculant. Use the resealed bags
within a short time.
Q Follow
instructions on recommended rates of inoculation. Rates are either determined
by the weight of seed (kilogram per tonne of seed) or by area (kilogram per hectare).
Q Always
sow freshly inoculated seed as soon as possible.
Q When
applying liquid or slurry inoculants, use clean, potable water and ensure the holding
tank is free of toxic chemical residues.
Q Do
not add zinc or sodium molybdate to liquid or slurry inoculants.
Q Check
the product label or contact the manufacturer for compatibility of inoculants
with fertilisers and seed dressings.
Q Ensure
inoculants remain cool in transport and do not leave inoculants or
inoculated seed in the sun.
(09.PZ[OL(\Z[YHSPHU0UVJ\SHU[Z9LZLHYJO.YV\WWHY[VM[OL5:>+LWHY[TLU[VM7YPTHY`0UK\Z[YPLZ
5.1 Introduction
0UVJ\SH[PVUPZ[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVMYVV[UVK\SLIHJ[LYPHYOPaVIPH
[VHSLN\TLZLLKVYZVPSPU^OPJO[OLSLN\TLPZZV^U0[PZ
KVUL[VMHJPSP[H[LYVV[UVK\SH[PVU0TWYV]PUN[OLUVK\SH[PVU
VMHSLN\TLJHUPUJYLHZLZ`TIPV[PJUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUJYVW
IPVTHZZHUKNYHPU`PLSKHUKX\HSP[`HUKPUJYLHZL[OL
HTV\U[VMVYNHUPJUP[YVNLUJVU[YPI\[LK[V[OLZVPSMYVT
SLN\TLZOVV[HUKYVV[YLZPK\LZ-PN\YLZHUK
:VTLWYLJH\[PVUZULLK[VIL[HRLU[VLUZ\YLKLSP]LY`VM
SHYNLU\TILYZVMYOPaVIPH[V[OL]PJPUP[`VM[OLSLN\TLYVV[Z
>OPJOL]LYPUVJ\SHU[PZ\ZLKYOPaVIPHHYLSP]PUNVYNHUPZTZ
FIGURE 5.1 Aerial biomass index image of chickpea plots
12 weeks after sowing, indicating plots inoculated with
Rhizobium ‘+’, and those that are uninoculated ‘-’. Blue is
indicative of higher biomass, yellow of low biomass and
red of bare earth.
HUK[OLPYNYV^[OHUKZ\Y]P]HSJHUILYLK\JLKI`JVTPUN
PU[VJVU[HJ[^P[OJOLTPJHSZHUKMLY[PSPZLYZOLH[VYMYLLaPUN
[LTWLYH[\YLZZ\USPNO[KLZPJJH[PVUHUKHJPKPJSV^W/HUK
OPNOS`HSRHSPULOPNOW/ZVPSZLL*OHW[LY
5.2 When is inoculation required?
Photo: John Heap, SARDI
>OLUZV^PUNSLN\TLZPUVJ\SH[PVUZOV\SKHS^H`ZIL
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0TWVY[HU[YLHZVUZ[V\UKLY[HRLPUVJ\SH[PVUPUJS\KL!
Q [OLWHY[PJ\SHYSLN\TLOHZUV[ILLUNYV^UPU[OLWHKKVJR
WYL]PV\ZS`"
Q P[OHZILLUTVYL[OHUMV\Y`LHYZZPUJL[OH[WHY[PJ\SHY
SLN\TLOHZILLUNYV^UPU[OLWHKKVJR"
Q PU[YVK\JLKUL^S`ZLSLJ[LKZ[YHPUZ^P[OPUJYLHZLK
LMMLJ[P]LULZZHUKZ\Y]P]HS"
Q [OLWYLZLUJLVMHJPKPJVYOPNOS`HSRHSPULZVPSZPU[OL
WHKKVJRTH`SPTP[Z\Y]P]HSVM[OLYOPaVIPHPU[OLZVPS"
Q [OLWHKKVJRPZZ\IQLJ[LK[VWHY[PJ\SHYS`OV[KY`
Z\TTLYZ"HUK
Q [OLSLN\TLOHZZWLJPMPJYOPaVIPHSYLX\PYLTLU[ZLNSV[\Z
IPZLYY\SHZ\SSH
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Q Inoculants
FIGURE 5.2 The clearly beneficial effects of inoculation on 5.5 What are the requirements for storing
and handling inoculants?
the growth of serradella. Plants inoculated with effective
strains of rhizobia are green and well-grown. Plants
-VYZ[VYHNLHUK[YHUZWVY[VMPUVJ\SHU[Z!
inoculated with an ineffective strain are pale and unthrifty
while the uninoculated plants have, to a large extent, died.
Q always
follow the manufacturer’s
instructions;
Uninoculated
Q keep
inoculants in a cool, dry area (ideally
below 10°C), except for a few inoculants for
tropical/subtropical legumes, which should
be stored at 20 to 25°C;
Ineffective strain
Photo: Greg Gemell, AIRG, NSW DPI
Effective strain
Effective strain
Q do
not freeze inoculants;
Q minimise
Q store
freeze-dried inoculants in the fridge,
NOT in the freezer;
Q use
5.3 Which inoculant group should I use?
*YVWHUKWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZT\Z[ILPUVJ\SH[LK^P[O[OL
JVYYLJ[YOPaVIPHSZ[YHPUMVYUVK\SH[PVUHUKUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU
-VYL_HTWSLJOPJRWLHZHUKMPLSKWLHZLHJOYLX\PYLKPMMLYLU[
PUVJ\SHU[YOPaVIPHHUK^PSSUV[UVK\SH[L\USLZZ[OLJVYYLJ[
PUVJ\SHU[PZ\ZLKZLL;HISLHUK*OHW[LY
exposure to direct sunlight;
inoculants before their use-by-date.
Q never
expose inoculants to high
temperatures, e.g. in a vehicle. Use an
insulated box to keep them cool; and
Q reseal
inoculant packages after opening
to reduce moisture loss and avoid
contamination.
5.4 Which inoculant group do I need for
a mixture of pasture species?
5.6 Can you use too much inoculant?
>OLU\ZPUNTP_[\YLZVMKPMMLYLU[WHZ[\YLSLN\TLZWLJPLZ
LHJOZOV\SKILPUVJ\SH[LKZLWHYH[LS`^P[O[OLJVYYLJ[
PUVJ\SHU[NYV\W6UJLZLLKVMLHJOSLN\TLOHZILLU
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[VNL[OLYPU[OLHWWYVWYPH[LWYVWVY[PVUZMVYZV^PUN
0UVJ\SH[PVUVMSLN\TLZH[OPNOLY[OHUYLJVTTLUKLKYH[LZ
PZUV[OHYTM\S[VSLN\TLNYV^[OVYWYVK\J[PVU,UZ\YL
ISVJRHNLZVMLX\PWTLU[KVUV[VJJ\Y-L^LYWYVISLTZ
YLZ\S[MYVTSPILYHSPUVJ\SH[PVU[OHUMYVT\ZPUNPUVJ\SHU[Z
H[SV^LY[OHUYLJVTTLUKLKYH[LZVYUV[\ZPUNPUVJ\SHU[Z
32
TABLE 5.1 Inoculant groups for some common legume species and the maximum amount
of seed that should be treated by a 250 gram bag of inoculant.
Inoculant group
Common name of legume
AL
Lucerne strand medic, melilotus, disc medic
AM
Burr medic, barrel medic, snail medic, sphere medic, murex medic
C
White clover, red clover, strawberry clover, alsike clover, berseem clover,
ball clover, suckling clover
Subterranean clover, balansa clover, crimson clover, purple clover,
arrowleaf clover, rose clover, gland clover, helmet clover, persian clover
E
Field pea, vetch, narbon bean, lathyrus
F
Faba bean, lentil
G
H
B
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Seed size
Maximum weight of seed
treated by 250g inoculant
Small
25kg
Medium
50kg
Small
25kg
Small–medium
25–50kg
Large
100kg
Medium–large
50–100kg
Lupin
Large
100kg
Soybean
Large
100kg
I
Cowpea, mungbean (green and black)
Large
100kg
J
Pigeon pea, lablab, horse gram
Large
100kg
N
Chickpea
Large
100kg
P
Peanut
S
French and yellow serradella
Biserrula
Sulla
Biserrula
Sulla
Large
100kg
Medium
50kg
Small
10kg
Medium
10kg
Q .YHU\SHYHUKPUM\YYV^HWWSPJH[PVUVMSPX\PKPUVJ\SHU[ZOH]L
FIGURE 5.3 Rhizobial numbers on seed at sowing and
their effect.
Plants nodulated (%)
150
Grain yield (t/ha) narrow-leafed lupin
2.5
2.0
100
1.5
0.5
0
Number of rhizobia per seed
Plants nodulated (%)
Grain yield (narrow-leafed lupin)
10000000
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
10
1
0
SOURCE: Roughley et al. 1993
H[HSS<UULJLZZHY`PUVJ\SH[PVUYLWYLZLU[ZHZTHSSJVZ[[V
WYVK\J[PVU^OLYLHZWVVYS`UVK\SH[LKHUK5KLMPJPLU[JYVWZ
^PSSJH\ZLHZ\IZ[HU[PHSYLK\J[PVUVMWYVK\J[PVUHUKWYVMP[
5.7 How are numbers of inoculant
5.9 Peat inoculants
rhizobia related to legume nodulation 7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHYLJVZ[LMMLJ[P]LHUKYLSPHISLHUK[OL
TVZ[JVTTVUS`\ZLKMVYT\SH[PVU;OLZLPUVJ\SHU[ZJVUZPZ[
and yield?
3HYNLU\TILYZVMYOPaVIPHPUVJ\SH[LKVU[VZLLKPUJYLHZL
UVK\SH[PVUHUKNYHPU`PLSKZ-PN\YL-VYW\SZLZHUK
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ZPaLKZLLKZ\JOZ\I[LYYHULHUHUKS\JLYULHUK
YOPaVIPHWLYZTHSSZLLKZ\JOHZ^OP[LJSV]LY
5.8 Which formulation of legume
inoculant should I use?
(YHUNLVMKPMMLYLU[PUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHYLH]HPSHISL[V
(\Z[YHSPHUSLN\TLNYV^LYZ;HISL
0UZLSLJ[PUNHUPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUJVUZPKLY[OL
MVSSV^PUNJOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZ!
Q (SSPUVJ\SHU[ZHYLL_WLJ[LK[V^VYR^LSS^OLUZV^UPU[V
TVPZ[ZVPSZ^OLYLYOPaVIPHSZ\Y]P]HSZOV\SKILVW[PTHS
Q ;OLJVZ[VMPUVJ\SHU[ZPZPUMS\LUJLKI`Z\JOMHJ[VYZHZ
[OLJVZ[VMWYVK\J[PVU[OLJVZ[VMMYLPNO[HUKYH[LVM
HWWSPJH[PVU7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHYLJVUZPKLYLKIV[O[OL
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Q :VPSHWWSPLKPUVJ\SHU[ZPLNYHU\SHYHUKSPX\PKZHWWSPLK
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PUZLJ[PJPKLZHUK[YHJLLSLTLU[Z
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ZLSLJ[LKIH[JOLZHYLPUKLWLUKLU[S`[LZ[LKI`[OL(\Z[YHSPHU
0UVJ\SHU[Z9LZLHYJO.YV\W(09.HUKVUS`IH[JOLZ[OH[
YLHJO[OLZ[YPUNLU[Z[HUKHYKZJHYY`[OL.YLLU;PJR3VNVZLL
*OHW[LY,HJOWHJRL[OHZH\ZLI`KH[L^OPJOZOV\SK
ILHKOLYLK[V
TABLE 5.2 Inoculant formulations available to
Australian growers.
Inoculant formulation
Peat
Freeze dried
Granular
Liquid
Preinoculated seed
Composition
High organic matter soil, milled and irradiated, with
rhizobia added in a nutrient suspension
Concentrated pure cells of rhizobia following
extraction of water under vacuum
Clay or peat granules impregnated with rhizobia
Suspension of rhizobia in a protective nutrient
solution
Seed coated with polymers and peat inoculant
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
1.0
50
PUJYLHZLKPUWVW\SHYP[`K\L[V[OLPYLHZLVM\ZL.YHU\SLZ
HYLWHY[PJ\SHYS`H[[YHJ[P]LMVYSHYNLZV^PUNZVMWHZ[\YL
SLN\TLZPLTVYL[OHUVUL[VUULVMZLLK(S[OV\NO[OL
HWWSPJH[PVUVMWLH[ZS\YY`[VZLLKK\YPUNI\Z`ZLLKPUN
[PTLZPZVM[LU]PL^LKHZPUJVU]LUPLU[P[YLTHPUZ[OLTVZ[
WVW\SHYMVYTVMPUVJ\SH[PVU
Q .YHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZJVU[HPUML^LYYOPaVIPHWLYNYHT[OHU
WLH[HUKULLK[VILHWWSPLKH[OPNOLYYH[LZHUKJVZ[
TVYLWLYOLJ[HYL
Q 3PX\PKPUVJ\SHU[ZZOV\SKIL\ZLKPTTLKPH[LS`HM[LY
KPS\[PVU-YLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[ZOV\SKILZV^U^P[OPU
MP]LOV\YZHM[LYHWWSPJH[PVU[VZLLK7LH[ZS\YY`PUVJ\SHU[
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.YHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZJHUILZ[VYLKMVY\W[VZP_TVU[OZ
HM[LYTHU\MHJ[\YL
Q *\YYLU[YLJVTTLUKH[PVUZHYL[OH[[VLUZ\YLYOPaVIPHS
Z\Y]P]HSPUVJ\SH[LKSLN\TLZLLKZOV\SKUV[ILZV^UPU[V
KY`ZVPS0UWHY[PJ\SHYMYLLaLKYPLKHUKSPX\PKPUVJ\SHU[Z
ZOV\SKVUS`ILHWWSPLK[VTVPZ[ZLLKILKZ5V[L[OH[ZVTL
THU\MHJ[\YLYZKVYLJVTTLUKHWWSPJH[PVUPU[VKY`ZVPS
Q 7YLPUVJ\SH[LKWHZ[\YLZLLKPZZLLUHZ]LY`JVU]LUPLU[I\[
]HYPLZPUX\HSP[`^P[O[OLU\TILYVMYOPaVIPHVUZLLKH[
[OLWVPU[VMW\YJOHZLZVTL[PTLZPUHKLX\H[LZLL*OHW[LY
7YLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKJVH[PUNZJHUHKKZPNUPMPJHU[JVZ[
[VWHZ[\YLZLLK
33
PEAT INOCULANTS
Q Peat-based
inoculants are usually applied
as a slurry to the seed coat so that rhizobia
are in direct contact with the seed. They can
also be applied as a liquid directly to the
soil, usually with water rates of 50 to 100
litres per hectare.
FIGURE 5.4 Peat inoculant is easily seen on faba beans
(top left) and peas (lower left) when compared with
uninoculated seeds (right).
Q Seed
inoculated with peat slurry is best
sown on the day of inoculation to maximise
the number of live rhizobia delivered with
the seed to the soil.
Q Peat
inoculants are highly effective when
sowing seed into moist soil.
Q Aerial
or dry sowing peat-inoculated seed
should be avoided where possible, as rapid
death of rhizobia may result in sub-optimal
nodulation.
Q Packet
size of inoculant varies depending
on the supplier, with smaller inoculants bags
(250 grams) usually provided for pastures
and larger bags (up to 2.5 kilograms) often
provided for grain legumes. It is important to
inoculate correctly to ensure that sufficient
rhizobia are present on seed to provide
effective nodulation.
Q Use
clean, potable water where possible in
the process of inoculation.
Q Always
use clean equipment for mixing (e.g.
do not mix in herbicide drums).
34
Q Ensure
adhesive solutions are cool before
adding the inoculant.
7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHYLILZ[HWWSPLKHZHZS\YY`VU[OLZLLK
I\[JHUILTP_LK^P[O^H[LYHUKPUQLJ[LKPU[VHTVPZ[
ZLLKILKH[ZV^PUN:PTWS`ZWYPURSPUN[OLWLH[PU[V[OLZLLK
IV_PZUV[YLJVTTLUKLKHZ[OPZYLZ\S[ZPUWVVYJVU[HJ[
IL[^LLU[OLYOPaVIPHHUK[OLZLLKHUKTH`SLHK[VWH[JO`
HUKPUJVUZPZ[LU[UVK\SH[PVU
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
5.9.1 Preparation, water quality and application
of peat slurries to seed
;OLPUVJ\SHU[PZTP_LK^P[OJSLHU^H[LYHUKZVTL[PTLZHU
HKOLZP]L[VMVYTHZS\YY`(KOLZP]LZVS\[PVUZHYL\ZLK[V
PTWYV]L[OLJVU[HJ[VMPUVJ\SHU[^P[OZLLKHUK[VWYV[LJ[
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WLH[PUVJ\SHU[ZMVYWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZ\Z\HSS`KVUV[JVU[HPU
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ZVS\[PVUWYLWHYLKZLWHYH[LS`
;OL\ZLVMYHPU^H[LYVYWYLMLYHIS`KYPURPUNWV[HISL
^H[LYPZYLJVTTLUKLKMVY[OLWYLWHYH[PVUVMHSSZS\YYPLZ
0[PZPTWVY[HU[[OH[[OLW/VM[OL^H[LYPZJOLJRLKHUK
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VMKPZZVS]LKZHS[ZZWYH`YPN^HZOPUNZJVU[HPUPUNWLZ[PJPKLZ
VYKL[LYNLU[ZVYZ^PTTPUNWVVS^H[LY[OH[TH`IL
JOSVYPUH[LK
5.9.2 Preparation of adhesive solution for
pasture legumes
(KOLZP]LZVS\[PVUZVYºZ[PJRLYZ»Z\JOHZ:LLKZ[PR;4HYLVM[LU
\ZLK^OLYL[OLZLLKPZ[VILSPTLWLSSL[LK;VWYLWHYLVUL
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Q MVYHZVS\[PVUVMWLYJLU[ZWYPURSLNYHTZVM[OL
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Q ZSV^S`HKKT3VMJVSK^H[LY^OPSLZ[PSSZ[PYYPUN
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Q Z[PJRLYPZILZ[WYLWHYLK[OLKH`ILMVYLPUVJ\SH[PVU:[PJRLY
ZOV\SKIL\ZLK^P[OPU[OYLLKH`Z"HUK
Q WLYPVKPJHSS`Z[PY[OLZVS\[PVU\U[PSM\SS`KPZZVS]LK*VVS[OL
ZVS\[PVU[VSLZZ[OHU‡*ILMVYL\ZL;OVYV\NOS`Z[PY[OL
ZVS\[PVUWYPVY[V\ZL*VTIPULWLH[PUVJ\SHU[HUKZ[PJRLY
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3LZZJVUJLU[YH[LKHKOLZP]LZVS\[PVUZYLMLY[V[OL
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SPTLWLSSL[LK4HU`V[OLYHKOLZP]LZOH]LILLU\ZLK[VHWWS`
YOPaVIPH[VZLLKOV^L]LYUV[HSSHKOLZP]LZHYLJVTWH[PISLVY
WYV[LJ[P]LVMYOPaVIPH+LHRLYL[HS"+LHRLYL[HS"
/HY[SL`L[HS0[PZPTWVY[HU[[OH[HKOLZP]LZIL\ZLK[OH[
HYLYLJVTTLUKLKMVY\ZL^P[OSLN\TLPUVJ\SHU[Z
5.9.3 Application of the slurry to seed
5.9.4 Field inoculation
7LH[PZTHKL\WPU[VHZS\YY`HZWLYTHU\MHJ[\YLYKPYLJ[PVUZ
PUHJSLHUKY\THUKTP_LK^LSS-PN\YL(;OLZS\YY`PZ
PKLHSS`W\TWLKYH[OLY[OHUWV\YLKMYVT[OLJVU[HPULY-PN\YL
)PU[V[OLWH[OVMZLLKNVPUN\W[OLZSV^TV]PUNMSPNO[LK
H\NLY-PN\YL*0UVJ\SH[LKZLLKPZH\NLYLKPU[V[OL
NYHPUNYV\WLYIPUZHUK[YHUZWVY[LK[V[OLWSHU[LYHPYZLLKLY
PU[OLWHKKVJR-PN\YL+-YLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\S\TJHUIL
35
5.9.5 Lime pelleting of pasture legumes
7HZ[\YLZLLKPZVM[LUJVH[LK^P[OMPULSPTLPTTLKPH[LS`
HM[LY[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVM[OLWLH[ZS\YY`[VOLSWKY`[OLZLLK
HUK[VWYL]LU[JS\TWPUN-PN\YLZHUK3PTPUNHSZV
WYV[LJ[ZYOPaVIPHHNHPUZ[HJPKZVPSZHUKHJPKPJMLY[PSPZLYZZ\JO
HZZ\WLYWOVZWOH[L
3PTLWLSSL[PUNTH`PTWYV]LZ\Y]P]HSVM[OLYOPaVIPH^OLU
KLSH`ZIL[^LLUPUVJ\SH[PVUHUKZV^PUNHYL\UH]VPKHISL0[
HSZVYLK\JLZ[OLJS\TWPUNVMZLLKMYVT[OLZS\YY`TP_HUK
MVYTZHZLLKWLSSL[MH]V\YHISLMVYLHZ`MSV^PU[OLZV^PUN
WYVJLZZ/V^L]LYSPTLWLSSL[PUNPZUV[YLX\PYLK^OLUZV^PUN
WVKKLKZLLKZ\JOHZZLYYHKLSSHVYZVM[ZLLKLKZ\SSHHZ[OL
ZLLKWVKHIZVYIZ[OLZS\YY`HUKKVLZUV[HMMLJ[MSV^HIPSP[`
.YHPUSLN\TLZHYLUV[SPTLWLSSL[LK:PTPSHYS`[YVWPJHS
WHZ[\YLZSLN\TLZL_JLW[3L\JHLUHSL\JVJLWOHSHZOV\SK
UV[ILSPTLWLSSL[LKILJH\ZLP[OHZILLUYLWVY[LK[VRPSS[OL
HWWSPLKYOPaVIPH4VZ[[LTWLYH[LWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZLLKZ
PL[OVZLNYV^UPU[OLZV\[OLYUHUK^LZ[LYUNYHPUYLNPVUZ
FIGURE 5.5 Peat inoculant made into a slurry in a drum (A); slurry pumped out of the container (B); slurry pumped
from the container into the path of the seed going up the auger (C); and inoculated seed is augered into the bins and
transported to the planter/airseeder (D).
A
B
C
D
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
;OLZS\YY`PZTP_LK^P[O[OLZLLKZ\ZPUNHJVUJYL[LTP_LY
ZOV]LSSPUNVUHJLTLU[MSVVYVYI`\ZPUNHYV[HY`JVH[LY
VU[OLNVHWWSPJH[VYVYH\NLY[VWYV]PKLL]LUJV]LYHNLVM
[OLZLLK-PN\YL:S\YY`PUVJ\SHU[JHUILHWWSPLK[V[OL
ZLLKK\YPUN]HYPV\ZWYLZLLKPUN[YHUZMLYZPUJS\KPUNH\NLYPUN
VMZLLKMYVTHZPSV[V[Y\JRVY[Y\JR[VZLLKLY*HYLT\Z[
IL[HRLU[VH]VPKJY\ZOPUNVYJYHJRPUN[OLZLLKJVH[:S\YY`
T\Z[ILHWWSPLKPUHJHSPIYH[LKMSV^[VLUZ\YLJVUZPZ[LU[
KPZ[YPI\[PVUHJYVZZ[OLZLLKSV[
0UVJ\SH[LKZLLKZOV\SKILZV^UHZZVVUHZWVZZPISL
PKLHSS`VU[OLZHTLKH`HZPUVJ\SH[PVU-VYNYHPUSLN\TL
PUVJ\SHU[ZHSYLHK`JVU[HPUPUNHKOLZP]LHRNWHJRL[^OLU
TP_LK^P[O^H[LY^PSSWYV]PKLZ\MMPJPLU[YOPaVIPHMVYRNVM
HSHYNLYZLLKLKNYHPUSLN\TLLNS\WPUVYRNVMHTLKP\T
ZPaLNYHPUSLN\TLLNSLU[PSZZLLTHU\MHJ[\YLY»ZPUZ[Y\J[PVUZ
VUWHJRL[SHILSMVYL_HJ[HTV\U[ZVMZLLKHUK^H[LY
HWWSPLK[VZLLKPU[OLZHTL^H`HZWLH[ZS\YY`HUKHZWLY[OL
THU\MHJ[\YLY»ZPUZ[Y\J[PVU0UVJ\SHU[YH[LZVUZLLKHYLNP]LU
VUPUVJ\SHU[WHJRL[ZHUKZOV\SKILHWWSPLK[V[OLJVYYLJ[
^LPNO[VMZLLK=VS\TLZULLKLKTH`]HY`HJJVYKPUN[V
W\TWPUNYH[LZHUKH\NLYZWLLKZ0MZLLKPZ[YHUZMLYYLK^P[OH
[HI\SH[VYVYJVU]L`LYH\NLYHTP_PUNSHKKLY^PSSILULLKLK[V
LUOHUJLPUVJ\SHU[KPZ[YPI\[PVUVU[OLZLLK
FIGURE 5.6 Peat slurry inoculant being added to biserrula (left) and then coated with lime (right) while being mixed.
ZOV\SKILSPTLWLSSL[LK\ZPUNMPULSPTLJHSJP\TJHYIVUH[L
MVSSV^PUNPUVJ\SH[PVU^P[O[OLWLH[ZS\YY`HUKHKOLZP]L
:SHRLKO`KYH[LKSPTLHUKI\PSKLY»ZSPTLHYL[VVHSRHSPUL
HUK^PSSRPSS[OLYOPaVIPHHUKZOV\SKUV[IL\ZLK2LLWPU
TPUK[OH[[OLWLSSL[JHUPUJYLHZL[OL^LPNO[VM[OLZLLK
Z\IZ[HU[PHSS`ZV[OH[ZV^PUNYH[LZTH`ULLK[VILHKQ\Z[LK
;VSPTLWLSSL[WHZ[\YLZLLK!
Q WV\Y[OLTP_[\YLVMWLH[ZS\YY`HUKZ[PJRLYV]LY[OLZLLK
HUKTP_PUHYV[H[PUNKY\TJVUJYL[LTP_LY\U[PSZLLKZHYL
L]LUS`JVH[LK"
Q PTTLKPH[LS`HKK[OLHWWYVWYPH[LHTV\U[VM]LY`MPUL
SPTLZ\JOHZ:LLK*V[L;44PJYVMPULŽVY6T`HJHYIŽPU
VULZ[LW[V[OLYV[H[PUNZLLKHUKYVSSMVYVUL[V[OYLL
TPU\[LZ"HUK
Q HSSV^WLSSL[LKZLLK[VKY`PUHJVVSWSHJLV\[VMKPYLJ[
Z\USPNO[
36
73,(:,56;,!7YLWHYH[PVUVMHZTHSS[YPHSIH[JOPZ
HS^H`ZYLJVTTLUKLKWHY[PJ\SHYS`PM[OLWYVJLZZPZ
ILPUN\UKLY[HRLUMVY[OLMPYZ[[PTL
.VVKX\HSP[`WLSSL[LKZLLKPZ!
Q L]LUS`JVH[LK^P[O[OLSPTLZLL-PN\YL"HUK
Q MPYTLUV\NO^OLUKY`[V^P[OZ[HUKHSPNO[YVSSPUNIL[^LLU
[OLMPUNLYZ^P[OV\[[OLSPTLMSHRPUNVMM
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
FIGURE 5.7 Subterranean clover uninoculated (left) and
inoculated and lime pelleted (right).
7VVYX\HSP[`WLSSL[LKZLLKPZ!
Q WV^KLY`^P[OZVM[WLSSL[ZPUKPJH[PUN[VVT\JOSPTLVY
\UL]LUTP_PUNVYIV[O"
Q WHZ[`^P[O[OLZLLKZ\YMHJLZOV^PUN[OLYLZ\S[VM[VV
T\JOHKOLZP]L;OPZTH`ILYLJ[PMPLKI`HKKPUNTVYL
SPTL"
Q JS\TWLK[VNL[OLY[OLYLZ\S[VM[VVT\JOHKOLZP]LVY
PUHKLX\H[LTP_PUNWYPVY[VHKKPUNSPTL"VY
Q OHYKNSVZZ`VYZTVV[OYLZ\S[PUNMYVT[VVSP[[SLSPTLVY[VV
T\JOTP_PUNHM[LYHKKPUN[OLSPTL
5.9.6 Using peat inoculants for liquid injection
0UVJ\S\TZ\ZWLUKLKPUWV[HISL^H[LYPZPUQLJ[LKPU[V
[OLZLLKM\YYV^PUHIHUK7LH[PZTP_LKPU[VKPS\[LZS\YY`
VYWSHJLKPU[VHWVYV\ZIHNJHSPJVIHNVYMPULT\ZSPU
JOLLZLJSV[OVYU`SVUZ[VJRPUNILMVYLHKKPUN[V[OL[YHJ[VY
TV\U[LK^H[LY[HUR7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHYLMPULS`TPSSLK
WYVK\J[ZHUKYLHKPS`KPZWLYZLPU^H[LY+LZWP[L[OPZ[OL\ZL
VMHMPULMPS[LYZ\JOHZHZ[VJRPUNPZLUJV\YHNLK[VLUZ\YL
[OH[HU`L_[YHULV\ZTH[LYPHSKVLZUV[ISVJR[OLSPX\PK
PUQLJ[PVUZ`Z[LT;OLSPX\PKPUVJ\S\TPZTHKLI`TP_PUN[OL
YLX\PYLKHTV\U[VMWLH[PUVJ\SHU[MVYHZWLJPMPJHTV\U[VM
ZLLKPU[V^H[LY-VYL_HTWSLPMVULSHYNLRNWHJRL[
VMWLH[PUVJ\SH[LZRNVMZLLK[OLUH[HZLLKPUNYH[LVM
RNOH[OLSPX\PK¶3ZOV\SKILPUQLJ[LKV]LYOH
FIGURE 5.8 Three different batches of lime pelleted clover
seed inoculated with a group C slurry mix. The seeds on
the left display insufficient lime or uneven mixing, the
seeds on the right (clumpy) show too much sticker.
The seeds in the centre indicate an even amount of
mixing and adequate lime addition.
-VYTVYLKL[HPSZVUHWWS`PUNSPX\PKPUVJ\SHU[ZZLL:LJ[PVUZ
HUK
DO NOT MIX PEAT, FREEZE DRIED AND
LIQUID INOCULANTS WITH:
5.10 Freeze-dried inoculants
Q chemicals
5.10.1 How do I apply freeze-dried inoculant?
9LTV]LJHWHUKY\IILYI\UNMYVT[OLNSHZZ]PHSHKK
WV[HISL^H[LYYLWSHJLI\UNHUKZOHRL\U[PSHSSWV^KLYPZ
KPZZVS]LK-VYSPX\PKPUQLJ[PVUPU[V[OLZLLKPUNM\YYV^HKK
[OL]PHSVMPUVJ\SHU[ZVS\[PVU[V3VMJVVS^H[LYJVU[HPUPUN
[OLWYV[LJ[P]LWVS`TLYZ\WWSPLKI`THU\MHJ[\YLYVM[OL
MYLLaLKYPLKWYVK\J[(KK[OPZZVS\[PVU[V[OLZWYH`[HURHUK
KLSP]LY[V3VMJSLHU^H[LYWLYOLJ[HYLPU[V[OLM\YYV^
K\YPUNZV^PUN0[PZPTWVY[HU[[VLUZ\YL[OH[[OLWYV[LJ[P]L
HNLU[PZHKKLK[V[OL[HURTP_WYPVY[V[OLHKKP[PVUVM[OL
MYLLaLKYPLKYOPaVIPH
;VJVH[ZLLKHKKKPZZVS]LKZVS\[PVUMYVT[OL]PHSPU[V
3VM^H[LYJVU[HPUPUNWYV[LJ[P]LWVS`TLY(WWS`[V[OL
ZLLK\U[PSL]LUS`JVH[LKHUKHSSV^[VKY`ILMVYLZV^PUN
5.11 Liquid inoculants
3PX\PKPUVJ\SHU[ZZOV\SKVUS`IL\ZLK^OLYL[OLZLLKILKPZ
TVPZ[3PX\PKPUQLJ[PVUVMPUVJ\SHU[PU[VM\YYV^ZPZPUJYLHZPUN
PUWYHJ[PJLK\L[V[OLYLSH[P]LLHZLVMHWWS`PUNSPX\PK
PUVJ\SHU[Z[VIYVHKHJYLJYVWZ0[PZ]LY`PTWVY[HU[[OH[[OL
[HURZVUZWYH`YPNZHUKZLLKLYZIL[OVYV\NOS`JSLHUVM
YLZPK\LZ^OPJOJHUIL[V_PJ[VYOPaVIPH;OLJVUJLU[YH[LK
PUVJ\SHU[ZOV\SKILKPS\[LK^P[ONVVKX\HSP[`JSLHU^H[LY
VMUL\[YHSW/ILMVYLHWWSPJH[PVU+PS\[LKPUVJ\SHU[ZOV\SKIL
KLSP]LYLK[V[OLZV^PUNM\YYV^ZH[YH[LZVM[V3OH
0UQLJ[SPX\PKPUVJ\SHU[PTTLKPH[LS`VY^P[OPUZP_OV\YZ
FIGURE 5.9 Concentrated rhizobia in a freeze-dried
formulation which can be applied to legume seed or to
injected into the soil at sowing.
containing high levels of zinc,
copper or mercury;
Q fertilisers
and seed dressings containing
sodium molybdate, zinc, manganese and
molybdenum;
Q fungicides
such as Sumisclex® or Rovral®
erbicides
Q h
such as MCPA, 2,4-D and
Dinoseb; ot
Q insecticides
containing endosulfan,
dimethoate, omethoate, or carbofuran.
5.12 Applying inoculants by water
injection
>H[LYPUQLJ[PVUTL[OVKZJHU\ZLWLH[MYLLaLKYPLKVYSPX\PK
MVYTZVMPUVJ\S\T;OLPUVJ\SHU[ZHYLKPS\[LK^P[O^H[LY
PU[HURZTV\U[LKVU[YHJ[VYZ-PN\YLHUKHWWSPLK
[OYV\NOZWYH`SPULZH[[HJOLKILOPUKLHJOWSHU[PUN[`ULIVV[
-PN\YL(NP[H[VYZHUKPUSPULMPS[LYZTH`ILULJLZZHY`
WHY[PJ\SHYS`MVYWLH[IHZLKPUVJ\S\T9H[LZVMPUVJ\S\T
ULLK[VILJHSJ\SH[LKMVYWSHU[PUNYH[LZPSVNYHTZVMZLLK
WLYOLJ[HYLHUK^H[LY]VS\TLZHISL[VILJHYYPLK;`WPJHSS`
HWWSPJH[PVUYH[LZHYL[V3OH
5.13 Granular inoculants
.YHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZJHUZPTWSPM`[OLKLSP]LY`VMYOPaVIPH
[V[OLSLN\TL-VYTVZ[NYHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZH[OPYK
ZLLKPUNIV_PZYLX\PYLKHZTP_PUN^P[OZLLKVYMLY[PSPZLY
PZUV[YLJVTTLUKLK;OL[LJOUVSVN`PZHUHS[LYUH[P]L[V
[OLZ[HUKHYKWLH[ZS\YY`VUZLLKHUKJHUWYV]PKLNYLH[LY
MSL_PIPSP[`HUKWYHJ[PJHSZVS\[PVUZPUZV^PUNVWLYH[PVUZ;OL
WO`ZPJHSZLWHYH[PVUVMYOPaVIPHMYVT[OLZLLKHSZVHSSV^Z
PUZLJ[PJPKLZHUKM\UNPJPKLZ[VILHWWSPLK[V[OLZLLK^OPJO
TH`V[OLY^PZLRPSS[OLYOPaVIPH
5.13.1 Types of granules
.YHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZJHUILTHU\MHJ[\YLKMYVTWYPSSLKWLH[
JSH`ILU[VUP[LVYH[[HW\SNP[LVYHTP_[\YLVMWLH[HUKJSH`
HUK]HY`PUHWWLHYHUJLHUKJOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJZZ\JOHZWHY[PJSL
ZPaLHUK\UPMVYTP[`VMWHY[PJSLZPaL-PN\YL.YHU\SLZ
ZOV\SKILZ[VYLKPUHKY`JVVSHYLHH^H`MYVTKPYLJ[
Z\USPNO[*SH`IHZLKNYHU\SLZJHUILZ[VYLKMVY\W[VZP_
TVU[OZHM[LYTHU\MHJ[\YL^P[OV\[YLMYPNLYH[PVU
7LH[IHZLKNYHU\SLZZOV\SKILZV^U^P[O[OLZLLKPU[V
TVPZ[ZVPS*SH`IHZLKNYHU\SLZOH]LILLUWYVTV[LKHZ
ILPUNTVYLYLSPHISL^OLUKY`ZV^U/V^L]LYP[PZPTWVY[HU[
[VUV[L[OH[KY`ZV^PUNTH`YLK\JLUVK\SH[PVUHUK[OH[[OL
V\[JVTLTH`]HY`^P[OZVPSTVPZ[\YLZVPS[LTWLYH[\YLHUK
[OL[PTLIL[^LLUPUVJ\SH[PVUHUKJYVWLTLYNLUJL
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
0UVJ\SHU[ZJVU[HPUPUNMYLLaLKYPLKYOPaVIPHHYLH]HPSHISLHZ
WV^KLYZPUNNSHZZ]PHSZ-PN\YL ;OL`ILJVTLHJ[P]L
^OLU[OLWV^KLYPZYLJVUZ[P[\[LK^P[OSPX\PK;OLWYVK\J[
JVTLZ^P[OHWYV[LJ[P]LWVS`TLYPUHZLWHYH[LIV[[SL^OPJO
HZZPZ[ZZ\Y]P]HSVM[OLYOPaVIPH(]PHS^PSS[YLH[IL[^LLU
HUKRNVMZLLKKLWLUKPUNVU[OLSLN\TLZWLJPLZ
;OLZLWYVK\J[ZHSSV^MVYSPX\PKPUQLJ[PVUVMPUVJ\SHU[ZPU[V
[OLZLLKPUNM\YYV^VYZLLKJHUILJVH[LKPTTLKPH[LS`WYPVY
[VZV^PUN;YLH[LKZLLKZULLK[VILZV^UPU[VTVPZ[ZVPS
^P[OPUMP]LOV\YZVMHWWSPJH[PVU*VU[HJ[^P[OWLZ[PJPKLZHUK
M\UNPJPKLZT\Z[ILH]VPKLK+VUV[MYLLaL[OPZWYVK\J[
37
FIGURE 5.10 Different configurations of water tanks mounted to tractors in order to apply inoculants by water
injection in sowing furrows.
GRANULAR INOCULANTS
Q Granules
should be drilled into the furrow
with the seed to ensure rhizobia are placed
in close proximity to the emerging legume
root.
Q Preferably
granules should be applied
from a third box separated from seed and
fertiliser.
Q Granules
can be added to the seed box;
however, differences in particle size may
lead to settling and uneven delivery of
inoculant and seed.
38
FIGURE 5.11 Spray lines attached behind each planting
tyne/boot dispense inoculants by water injection.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
(JVTTVUMLH[\YLVMNYHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZPZ[OH[[OL`
OH]LML^LYYOPaVIPHWLYNYHT[OHU[OLWLH[Z\ZLKMVY
ZS\YY`PUVJ\SH[PVU;OL`T\Z[ILHWWSPLKH[OPNOLYYH[LZ
[VHJOPL]LZPTPSHYSL]LSZVMUVK\SH[PVU.YHU\SLZHYL
[`WPJHSS`HWWSPLKH[[VRNOH^OLUZV^PUNVUJT
YV^ZWHJPUNZKLWLUKPUNVUTHU\MHJ[\YLY[OLZ[YHPUHUK
U\TILYVMYOPaVIPHWLYNYHTVMWYVK\J[3V^LYYH[LZVM
H[[HW\SNP[LHUKWLH[NYHU\SLZJHUIL\ZLK^P[O^PKLYV^
ZWHJPUNZHJJVYKPUN[VTHU\MHJ[\YLYZ»N\PKLSPULZLNPMYV^
ZWHJPUNZHYLKV\ISLK[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVMPUVJ\SHU[JHUIL
OHS]LK;HISL/V^L]LYILU[VUP[LJSH`NYHU\SLZHYL
YLJVTTLUKLK[VILZV^UH[HYH[LVM[VRNOH
UVTH[[LY^OH[YV^ZWHJPUNPZ\ZLKH[ZV^PUN>OLU
ZV^PUNTP_[\YLZVMWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZ[OLM\SSYH[LVMNYHU\SHY
PUVJ\SHU[WLYOLJ[HYLMVYLHJOWHZ[\YLPUVJ\SHU[NYV\WT\Z[
IL\ZLK
.YHU\SHYWYVK\J[ZKPMMLYPU[OLPYHIPSP[`[VILTP_LK^P[O
ZLLKVYMLY[PSPZLYHUKTHU\MHJ[\YLYZ»YLJVTTLUKH[PVUZ
ZOV\SKHS^H`ZILMVSSV^LK0UNLULYHSL_JLZZP]LH\N\YPUN
ZOV\SKILH]VPKLK[VLUZ\YL[OH[[OLWHY[PJSLZPaLPZ
THPU[HPULKHUK[VTPUPTPZLK\Z[.YHU\SLZHYLILZ[
KPZ[YPI\[LK[OYV\NOH[OPYKZV^PUNIV_YH[OLY[OHUTP_LK
^P[OZLLKILJH\ZLKPMMLYLUJLZPUNYHU\SLHUKZLLKZPaLTH`
YLZ\S[PUZLWHYH[PVUVYZL[[SPUNHUK\UL]LUKPZ[YPI\[PVUVM
IV[ONYHU\SLZHUKZLLK
*VU[HJ[VMNYHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[Z^P[OTVPZ[\YLK\YPUN
ZLLKPUNVWLYH[PVUZZOV\SKILH]VPKLKHUK[OL`ZOV\SKUV[
ILZ[VYLKPU[OLZLLKLYIV_LZV]LYUPNO[ILJH\ZLZVTL
WYVK\J[ZJHUHIZVYITVPZ[\YLZ[PJR[VNL[OLYHUKJH\ZL
ISVJRHNLZPUZLLKPUNLX\PWTLU[
5.14 Preinoculated and custominoculated seed
:VTLZLLKJVTWHUPLZZLSSWHZ[\YLZLLKZ[OH[JVU[HPU
YOPaVIPHHZWHY[VMHZWLJPHSPZLKZLLKJVH[PUNWYVJLZZ;OL
JVH[PUNTH`PUJS\KLPUZLJ[PJPKLZM\UNPJPKLZHUKTPJYV
U\[YPLU[Z;OPZOHZWYV]PKLKTVYLMSL_PIPSP[`^P[OWYVISLTZ
Z\JOHZZV^PUNKLSH`Z0[PZHK]PZHISL[VZV^HZZVVUHZ
WVZZPISLHM[LY[OLZLLKJVH[PUN[YLH[TLU[
;OLTHPU\ZLVMWYLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKPZMVYWHZ[\YL
ZWLJPLZWHY[PJ\SHYS`S\JLYULHUKHUU\HSTLKPJZILJH\ZL[OL
YOPaVIPHMVY[OLZLZWLJPLZZ\Y]P]L^LSSPU[OPZMVYT
FIGURE 5.12 Examples of attapulgite clay granules (left),
peat granules (middle) and bentonite clay granules (right)
used to deliver rhizobia to grain and pasture legumes.
Q +V[OLWYLWHYH[PVUZJVU[HPU[V_PJJOLTPJHSZ&4L[HSZ
Z\JOHZTLYJ\Y`JVWWLYHUKaPUJHYLOHYTM\S,MMLJ[ZVM
V[OLYHJ[P]LPUNYLKPLU[ZTH`ILKPMMPJ\S[[VWYLKPJ[
Q 0Z[OLYLWYVSVUNLKKPYLJ[JVU[HJ[IL[^LLU[OL
Z\IZ[HUJLHUKPUVJ\SH[LKZLLK&+PYLJ[JVU[HJ[
IL[^LLU[OLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKHUKV[OLYZ\IZ[HUJLZ
ZOV\SKILH]VPKLKH[HSS[PTLZ0MJVU[HJ[PZTHKLHUKMVY
VUS`HZOVY[WLYPVK[OLLMMLJ[TH`ILYLK\JLK
PREINOCULATED SEED
If purchasing preinoculated seed for clovers,
serradella, biserrula and sulla, ensure the seed
has been freshly coated, as rhizobial numbers
can reduce significantly within days for these
species.
;LZ[PUNVMWYLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKZHTWSLZJVSSLJ[LKMYVT
YL[HPSV\[SL[ZOHZPUKPJH[LK[OH[THU`ZHTWSLZKPKUV[TLL[
[OL(09.Z[HUKHYKMVYU\TILYZVMYOPaVIPHVU[OLZLLKZLL
*OHW[LY
5.15 Are there compatibility issues
between seed-applied inoculants
and fertilisers, chemicals and
pesticides?
(ZYOPaVIPHHYLSP]PUNVYNHUPZTZP[PZ]LY`PTWVY[HU[[OH[
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UVK\SH[PVU
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HYLZLUZP[P]L[VZVS\[PVUZ^P[OW/]HS\LZILSV^VY
HIV]L
TABLE 5.3 The influence of row spacing on application
rates for the three different types of granular inoculants.
Attapulgite clay
Row spacing (cm) granule rate (kg/
ha)
Peat granule rate
(kg/ha)
Bentonite clay
granule rate
(kg/ha)
18
6.0
5.6
8–10
20
5.3
4.9
8–10
23
4.6
4.4
8–10
25
4.2
3.9
8–10
28
3.8
3.6
8–10
31
3.5
3.3
8–10
33
3.2
3.0
8–10
36
3.0
2.8
8–10
38
2.8
2.6
8–10
:\WLYWOVZWOH[LHUKYLSH[LKWYVK\J[ZHYLHJPKPJHUK[V_PJ[V
YOPaVIPH^OLUPUKPYLJ[JVU[HJ[HUKJVU[HJ[IL[^LLUZLLK
HUKMLY[PSPZLYZOV\SKILH]VPKLKL]LUPM[OLZLLKOHZILLU
SPTLWLSSL[LK
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5.15.2 Adding molybdenum at inoculation
3V^TVS`IKLU\T4VPU[OLZVPSJHUJH\ZLHYLK\J[PVU
PU[OLUVK\SH[PVUHUKUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUVMHSLN\TLJYVW
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PZTVYLJVZ[LMMLJ[P]LHUKLUZ\YLZL]LUKPZ[YPI\[PVUVM4V
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>OLUZV^PUNWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZPUTVS`IKLU\TKLMPJPLU[
ZVPSZNVM4VPZYLX\PYLKWLYOLJ[HYLLX\P]HSLU[[V[OH[
Z\WWSPLKPURNOH4VZ\WLYWOVZWOH[L;OLU
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HWWSPLKHZHTHPU[LUHUJLKYLZZPUNLNRNOHVM
4VZ\WLYWOVZWOH[L0UZVTLHYLHZYLZWVUZLZ[VSHYNLY
X\HU[P[PLZVMTVS`IKLU\TOH]LVJJ\YYLK*OLJRSVJHS
YLJVTTLUKH[PVUZ
5.15.3 Fungicide compatibility
:LLKHWWSPLKM\UNPJPKLZHYLTHYRL[LKZWLJPMPJHSS`MVY[OL
W\YWVZLVMRPSSPUNVYPUOPIP[PUN[OLNYV^[OVMKPZLHZLJH\ZPUN
M\UNPHUKHYLJVUZPKLYLKWYL]LU[H[P]L:LLKHWWSPLK
M\UNPJPKLZZVTL[PTLZJHSSLKWPJRSLZJHUYLK\JL[OLZ\Y]P]HS
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VMYOPaVIPH^P[O]HYPV\ZZLLKHWWSPLKM\UNPJPKLZ5V[L[OH[
YOPaVIPHSZ\Y]P]HSPZKLWLUKLU[VU[OLWLYPVKVM[PTL[OH[
[OLPUVJ\SHU[PZPUJVU[HJ[^P[O[OLZLLKHWWSPLKM\UNPJPKLZ
WYPVY[VZV^PUN9LJLU[[LZ[ZOH]LZOV^U[OH[4L[HSH_`SHUK
4L[HSH_`S4^OLUHWWSPLK[VPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKJVU[YPI\[L[V
HYLK\J[PVUPU[OLU\TILYVMYOPaVIPHHUK[OLYLMVYLZOV\SK
IL\ZLKZ[YPJ[S`PUHJJVYKHUJL^P[O[OLTHU\MHJ[\YLY»Z
PUZ[Y\J[PVUZ
5.15.4 Insecticide compatibility
Q )LUKPVJHYIHUKWLYTL[OYPU\ZLK[VWYV[LJ[ZLLKMYVT
HU[ZHYLZHMLHS[OV\NOSPTP[LK[YPHSZPUKPJH[L[OH[[OLYL
TH`ILZVTLYLK\J[PVUPUUVK\SH[PVU
Q 0TPKHJSVWYPKPZZHML[V\ZL^P[OYOPaVIPHWYV]PKLK[YLH[LK
ZLLKPZZV^UPU[VTVPZ[ZVPS^P[OPUVULKH`VM[YLH[TLU[
MVYZ\I[LYYHULHUJSV]LYHUKT\YL_TLKPJVY^P[OPUZP_
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
5.15.1 Fertiliser compatibility
39
KH`ZVM[YLH[TLU[MVYV[OLYZWLJPLZZ\JOHZ^OP[LJSV]LY
ZLYYHKLSSHS\JLYULHUKIHYYLSTLKPJ
Q +PTL[OVH[LJHUOHYTYOPaVIPH
Q -VSSV^SHILSPUZ[Y\J[PVUZJHYLM\SS`
5.15.5 Herbicide compatibility
9OPaVIPHHYLYLSH[P]LS`[VSLYHU[VMOLYIPJPKLJVUJLU[YH[PVUZ
YLJVTTLUKLKMVYMPLSK\ZL)LJH\ZLVM[OLKPMMLYLUJLZ
PUZ\ZJLW[PIPSP[`IL[^LLU[OLOVZ[HUK[OLPYYOPaVIPHP[PZ
KPMMPJ\S[[VTHRLHJJ\YH[LHZZLZZTLU[ZVM[OLNLULYHSPTWHJ[
VMOLYIPJPKLZHUKHKKP[P]LZVUHSSSLN\TLZHUKYOPaVIPH
HUK[OLZWLJPMPJPTWHJ[ZVUWSHU[NYV^[OUVK\SH[PVUHUK
UP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU/V^L]LYYLJVTTLUKH[PVUZOH]LILLU
THKL[OH[YOPaVIPHHYLRPSSLKI`[OLOLYIPJPKLZ4*7(
+PUVZLIHUK+9LJLU[S`P[OHZHSZVILJVTLL]PKLU[
[OH[HWWSPJH[PVUVMYLZPK\HSZ\SMVU`S\YLHIHZLKJOLTPJHSZHYL
HMMLJ[PUN[OLWYVK\J[PVUVMWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZ9LZLHYJOPZ
VUNVPUN[VJSHYPM`V\Y\UKLYZ[HUKPUNVM[OLZLPU[LYHJ[PVUZ
5.16 Dry sowing of inoculated
legume seed
+Y`ZV^PUNVMPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKPZUV[YLJVTTLUKLK^OLYL
[OLSLN\TLPZILPUNZV^UPU[OLWHKKVJRMVY[OLMPYZ[[PTLVY
^OLYLZVPSJVUKP[PVUZHYLOVZ[PSL[VZ\Y]P]HSVM[OLYOPaVIPH
0UWHKKVJRZ^P[OMYLX\LU[\ZLVM[OLZHTLSLN\TLHUK
^OLYLLMMLJ[P]LUVK\SH[PVU^HZYLJLU[S`VIZLY]LK[OLYPZR
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YLK\JLK
5.17 Formulations of inoculants
containing co-inoculants
40
>P[OJVPUVJ\SHU[ZHUHKKP[PVUHSTPJYVVYNHUPZTPZHWWSPLK
^P[O[OLYOPaVIPH(YHUNLVMJVPUVJ\SHU[ZOH]LYLJLU[S`
ILLUPU[YVK\JLK[V[OLTHYRL[:VTLOH]LOHK[OLL_[YH
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NYHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[I\[ZVTL[PTLZ[OLL_[YHTPJYVVYNHUPZT
PZZ\WWSPLKZLWHYH[LS`;OLZLVYNHUPZTZPUJS\KLZ[YHPUZVM
TABLE 5.4 Compatibility of different rhizobia groups
with seed-applied fungicides. Information sourced
from commercial product information guides (Becker
Underwood and Novozymes)
Inoculant group / crop
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
E – pea, vetch
F – faba bean, lentil
G – lupin
H – soybean
N – chickpea
Fungicide type
Planting window of
inoculated seed
P-Pickle T
6 hours
®
Gaucho 600 FL
4 hours
Gaucho® 600 FL
24 hours
P-Pickle T
24 hours
Thiram
Compatibility not known
Rovral
6 hours
Thiram
24 hours
not compatible with seed dressings
P-Pickle T
6 hours
Thiram
6 hours
Apron® XL 350 6 hours
6 hours
®
6 hours
Gaucho 600 FL
P – peanut
not compatible with seed dressings
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[OLZLJVPUVJ\SHU[ZHYLTHYRL[LKHZPUJYLHZPUNYVV[NYV^[O
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WH[OVNLUZHMMLJ[PUNYVV[NYV^[O(K]PJLMYVT[OLPUKP]PK\HS
THU\MHJ[\YLYZOV\SKILZV\NO[
5.18 Concluding comments
;OPZJOHW[LYOHZOPNOSPNO[LK[OLKVZHUKKVU»[Z^OLU
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OPNOVYMYLLaPUN[LTWLYH[\YLZZ\USPNO[KLZPJJH[PVUHUK
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3LN\TLZT\Z[ILPUVJ\SH[LK^P[O[OLJVYYLJ[YOPaVIPH
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WLH[MYLLaLKYPLKWV^KLYZNYHU\SLZHUKHZWYLPUVJ\SH[LK
ZLLK;OLZOLSMSPMLVM[OLZLWYVK\J[Z]HYPLZMYVTZL]LYHS
^LLRZPU[OLJHZLVMZVTLWYLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKZ[V[OYLL
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JHU]HY`KLWLUKPUNVU[OLWYVK\J[7LH[PZ[OLJOLHWLZ[
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MVSSV^PUNUVUSLN\TPUV\ZJYVWZ
41
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
7/6;6:!+(=0+/,990+.,
Well-nodulated faba bean growing near Moree in northern
New South Wales. In this region, farmers often apply the peat-based
inoculant in liquid slurry form to the faba bean seed during various
pre-seeding transfers, including augering of seed from silo to truck
or truck to seeder.
High-yielding inoculated soybean ready for harvest, grown in rotation
with sugarcane in north-coastal New South Wales. Growers inoculate
soybeans using mainly peat and liquid inoculant formulations and are
looking to capture the benefits of the soybean by reducing amounts
of fertiliser N applied to the subsequent cane.
6 LEGUME NITROGEN FIXATION AND
ROTATIONAL BENEFITS
Q Legume–rhizobia
symbioses fix approximately 2.7 million tonnes nitrogen (N) annually in
Australian agricultural systems, with a nominal value of about $4 billion.
Q At
the paddock scale legumes fix, on average, about 110 kilograms of N per hectare
annually. The range is large, from close to zero to more than 400kg N/ha.
Q The
amount of nitrogen fixed increases as potential legume dry matter yield (biomass)
increases, but is reduced by high levels of soil nitrate.
Q The
actual amount of nitrogen fixed in any one paddock varies with the species of legume,
site and season and the applied agronomic management.
Q The
fixed nitrogen is used by the legume itself for growth.
Q The
legume residues left in the soil after the grain is harvested or the grazed/cut pasture
legume phase is terminated represent, upon decomposition, a potent source of plantavailable nitrogen for subsequent cereal and oilseed crops.
Q Cereals
grown after legumes generally out-yield cereals grown after non-leguminous crops.
The extra yield is mostly due to the higher levels of soil nitrate following the legumes but will
also include other factors such as a disease-break effect.
Q Depending
on the circumstances, the economic benefits of including legumes in crop
production systems can be substantial.
6.1 Introduction
42
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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]HS\HISLJYVWZPU[OLPYV^UYPNO[H[[YHJ[PUNOPNOWYPJLZMVY
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;OPZZ`TIPV[PJHZZVJPH[PVUZ[HY[Z^OLUYOPaVIPHPUMLJ[
[OLYVV[ZVM[OLSLN\TLHUKMVYTUVK\SLZ0U[OLUVK\SLZ
[OLYOPaVIPHJVU]LY[NHZLV\ZH[TVZWOLYPJUP[YVNLU5PU[V
HTTVUPH5/^OPJOPZ[OLUSHYNLS`\ZLKI`[OLSLN\TL
MVYNYV^[O0UYL[\YU[OLSLN\TLWYV]PKLZ[OLYOPaVIPH^P[O
U\[YPLU[ZLULYN`HUKOHIP[H[
;OLWYPUJPWHSILULMPJPHY`VMUP[YVNLU5MP_H[PVUPZ
[OLSLN\TLP[ZLSM0[PZZLSMZ\MMPJPLU[PU5P[JHUNYV^PU
LZZLU[PHSS`HU`ZVPS^P[OV\[PUW\[ZVMMLY[PSPZLY5;OLHTV\U[
VM5MP_LKPZPUMS\LUJLKI`[OL[`WLVMSLN\TLP[ZOLHS[OHUK
`PLSKZVPSUP[YH[LSL]LSZHUKHYHUNLVMLU]PYVUTLU[HSMHJ[VYZ
;OLSLN\TLHSZVWYVK\JLZ5YPJOYLZPK\LZ[OH[YLTHPUPU
[OLZVPSHM[LY[OLJYVWPZOHY]LZ[LK-PN\YL;OLTPULYHS
FIGURE 6.1 Cycling of N through the legume phase of
a rotation to the following cereal crop.
Legume
Cereal
Grain N
Grain N
Fertiliser N
N2 fixation
Soil
mineral N
Residue N
Soil
mineral N
Native soil
organic matter
TABLE 6.1 Annual contribution of symbiotically
(legume) fixed nitrogen.
The incorporation of legumes into rotations
helps reduce reliance on high-cost fertiliser N.
Globally
Australia
Amount N fixed (million tonnes)
40
2.7
N fertiliser equivalent (million tonnes)
50
3.4
Economic value (billion dollars)
63
4.3
43
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UP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUI`SLN\TLZPUHNYPJ\S[\YL
6.2.2 Environmental consequences
6.2 Legume nitrogen fixation – globally
and on Australian farms
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6.2.1 Economic consequences
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6.3 Comparing nitrogen fixation by the
different crop and pasture legumes
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6.3.1 How much nitrogen do crop legumes fix?
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[OVZLJYVWZ*SLHYS`UH]`ILHUZOH]LH^LHRJHWHJP[`MVY5
TABLE 6.2 Estimates of the amounts of N fixed annually by crop legumes in Australia.
Legume
% N fixed
Shoot dry matter
(t/ha)
Shoot N (kg/ ha)
Root N (kg/ha)
Total crop N (kg/ ha) Total N fixed1 (kg/ha)
Lupin
75
5.0
125
51
176
130
Pea
66
4.8
115
47
162
105
Faba bean
65
4.3
122
50
172
110
Lentil
60
2.6
68
28
96
58
Soybean
48
10.8
250
123
373
180
Chickpea
41
5.0
85
85
170
70
Peanut
36
6.8
190
78
268
95
Mungbean
31
3.5
77
32
109
34
Navy bean
20
4.2
105
43
148
30
1 Total N fixed = per cent N fixed x total crop N; Data sourced primarily from Unkovich et al. 2010.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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The total amount of N fixed by a legume is
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and dry matter production.
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44
6.3.2 How much N do pasture legumes fix?
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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6.3.3 How much N will legumes fix in
my paddock?
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6.4 How does crop and soil
management affect legume
nitrogen fixation?
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UP[YH[L
6.5 Soil nitrate suppresses
legume nitrogen fixation
:VPSUP[YH[LPZHWV[LU[PUOPIP[VYVMSLN\TLUVK\SH[PVUHUK
UP[YVNLUMP_H[PVU([SV^ZVPSUP[YH[LPLSLZZ[OHURN5
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TVYLHUKTVYLZ\WWYLZZLK,]LU[\HSS`H[]LY`OPNOZVPS
TABLE 6.3 Estimates of the amount of N fixed annually
by the pasture legumes in Australia.
%N fixed
Shoot DM
(t/ha)
Annual clovers
60
5.8
234
140
Subterranean clover
81
2.8
150
120
Annual medics
74
2.6
110
80
Perennial clovers
72
4.0
180
130
Lucerne
60
4.4
298
180
Legume
Total crop N Total N fixed
(kg/ha)
(kg/ha)
Values for annual shoot dry matter (DM) production are taken from Unkovich et al. 2010, and are aggregated
from 240 individual values. Note that vetch is not included.
FIGURE 6.2 Impact of soil nitrate on chickpea nitrogen
fixation in northern NSW.
Chickpea N2 fixation (kg N/ha)
200
160
120
80
40
0
0
50
100
Sowing soil nitrate (kg N/ha)
150
SOURCE: Unpublished data of WL Felton, H Marcellos, DF Herridge, GD Schwenke and MB Peoples
Low soil nitrate leads to greater N2 fixation
activity.
6.6 What are the best management
practices to improve legume growth
and nitrogen fixation?
(WHY[MYVTPUVJ\SH[PUN[OLSLN\TLZLLK^P[O[OLHWWYVWYPH[L
YOPaVIPHZLL*OHW[LYVW[PTPZPUNIHZPJHNYVUVT`ILZ[
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[OLYLMVYL5MP_H[PVU;OPZTLHUZTHPU[HPUPUNHNVVKJV]LYVM
TABLE 6.4 Effects of tillage on soil water and
nitrate at sowing, and on chickpea growth,
grain yield and nitrogen fixation.
No till
Cultivated
Sowing soil water (mm)
144
109
Sowing soil nitrate (kg N/ha)
71
86
Shoot dry matter (t/ha)
5.4
4.7
Grain yield (t/ha)
2.01
1.83
% N fixed
55
44
Crop N fixed (kg/ha)
107
75
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6.6.1 Tillage practices
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MP_H[PVUVMMHIHILHUZHUKJOPJRWLHZPUJYLHZLK^P[OOPNOLY
WSHU[KLUZP[PLZ:JO^LURLL[HS 6.6.3 General soil conditions
:VPSHJPKP[`HUKWOVZWOVY\Z7KLMPJPLUJ`HYLJVTTVU
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]LY`HSRHSPULTH`YLZ\S[PUYLK\JLK5MP_H[PVU
Data are the means of 21 site/years of experiments
SOURCE: Unpublished data of WL Felton, H Marcellos, DF Herridge, GD Schwenke and MB Peoples
FIGURE 6.3 The early-sown pea had the highest rates of
nitrogen fixation.
FIGURE 6.4 Increasing legume density increases
nitrogen fixation.
N2 fixation (kg/ha)
200
N2 fixation (kg/ha)
350
300
160
250
120
200
150
80
100
40
50
0
Early (–26 days)
Recommended (0 days)
Late (+28 days)
SOURCE: O’Connor et al. 1993
45
0
40
20
10
Lucerne density (plants/m2)
5
SOURCE: Peoples et al. 1998
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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MP_LKTVYL5;OLYLZ\S[Z^LYLK\L[VJOHUNLZPUIV[OJYVW
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T\Z[ILHKKYLZZLKPMWV[LU[PHSSLN\TLIPVTHZZWYVK\J[PVU
PZ[VILYLHSPZLK
FIGURE 6.5 Optimising plant nutrition increases
nitrogen fixation.
N2 fixation (kg/ha)
200
6.7 What are the nitrogen and rotational
benefits of crop legumes?
(ZWYL]PV\ZS`Z[H[LK5MP_H[PVUWYV]PKLZºMYLL»5[V[OL
SLN\TLLSPTPUH[PUN[OLULLKMVYHKKP[PVUHSPUW\[ZVMMLY[PSPZLY
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120
80
40
0
9LZLHYJOOHZHSZVLZ[HISPZOLK[OH[UP[YVNLUMP_PUN
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IVYVUHUKTVS`IKLU\T6»/HYHL[HS 6.7.1 What is the N benefit?
160
46
Optimise agronomic practices to maximise
nitrogen fixation.
P+lime
P alone
Lime alone
Nil
SOURCE: Peoples et al. 1998
6.7.2 How do the N-rich legume residues
contribute to the N benefit?
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
;VKL[LYTPULOV^T\JO5YPJOSLN\TLYLZPK\LZJVU[YPI\[L
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0U[OLMPYZ[`LHYVM[OLZLX\LUJLHSSJYVWZ^LYLNYV^UPUH
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;OLSV^*!5YH[PVVM[OLJOPJRWLHYLZPK\LZTLHUZ
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[OLZVPSK\YPUNTPJYVIPHSKLJVTWVZP[PVUYLZ\S[PUNPUUL[
TPULYHSPZH[PVU
C:N ratio of
plant residues
Net
mineralisation
and
immobilisation
The ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the plant residues. The
carbon content of plant materials is fairly constant at about
40 per cent but the N content varies considerably, from
about 0.4 per cent to 3.0 per cent. The C:N ratio thus varies
accordingly from 100:1 to 13:1.
The decomposition of residues by the soil microbes will
either result in the release of mineral N into the soil (net
mineralisation) or tie up mineral N (immobilisation). Net
mineralisation is associated with residues with C:N ratios of
less than 30 and immobilisation with those with C:N ratios
of more than 30.
Legumes produce residues with a higher N
concentration compared to cereals.
6.7.3 What is the biological benefit?
;OLIPVSVNPJHSILULMP[PZSHYNLS`YLSH[LK[V[OLIYLHRJYVWLMMLJ[VM
[OLSLN\TLWOHZLVUZVPSHUKZ[\IISLIVYULKPZLHZLZVMJLYLHSZ
;OLILULMP[KLWLUKZVU[OLUH[\YLVM[OLKPZLHZL
+PZLHZLZ^P[OHIYVHKOVZ[YHUNLZ\JOHZ9OPaVJ[VUPH
TABLE 6.5 Explaining the N and yield benefits of a
chickpea-wheat rotation compared with unfertilised or
N-fertilised wheat-only sequences.
Chickpea/
wheat (0 N)
Year 1 (chickpea or wheat)
Sowing soil nitrate (kg N/ha,
1.2m depth)
Fertiliser N applied (kg N/ha)
(100kg/
Wheat (0 N)/ Wheat
ha
N)/
wheat
wheat (0 N)
(0 N)
Chickpea
Wheat
Wheat
67
67
67
0
0
100
Grain yield (t/ha)
2.3
2.3
3.2
Total crop N (kg /ha)
205
55
115
Crop N fixed (kg /ha)
135
0
0
Residue N (kg/ha)
133
20
55
Residue C:N
25:1
50:1
44:1
Estimated mineralisation (+)
or immobilisation (–) (kg N/ha)
+16
–22
–21
Year 2 (wheat only)
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Sowing soil nitrate (kg N/ha,
1.2 \m depth)
102
53
74
Wheat grain yield (t/ha)
2.8
1.7
1.8
Wheat grain N (kg/ha)
55
30
33
Rotation
Wheat/wheat
Chickpea/wheat
Crown rot incidence
(%)
Yield (t/ha)
20–27
2.7
15
3.0
Source: Kirkegaard et al., 2004
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6.7.4 How does a legume break the cereal
pathogen cycle?
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\UKL[LJ[HISLSL]LSZMVSSV^PUN[^V`LHYZVMWLHZVYMHSSV^
0UJVTWHYPZVUU\TILYZHM[LY[^V`LHYZVMYLZPZ[HU[^OLH[
^LYLMV\YLNNZWLYNYHTVMZVPSHUKLNNZWLYNYHTVM
ZVPSHM[LYZ\ZJLW[PISL^OLH[;HISL
6.7.5 What are the yield benefits of crop
legumes in rotation?
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INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
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IPVTHZZ^P[OPU[OLZVPS
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JVUJLU[YH[PVUVM5PU[OVZLYLZPK\LZKLZJYPILKI`[OL*!5
YH[PVZPU[OLL_HTWSLHYLJYP[PJHS
47
TABLE 6.6 Biological break benefit.
TABLE 6.7 Population changes of cereal cyst nematode
under different rotational regimes.
Cereals grown after crop legumes commonly
out yield cereals grown after cereals.
Nematode eggs/gram soil
Initial
1984
1985
Wheat (Resistant)
40
9
4
Wheat
(Susceptible)
33
19
15
Field pea
43
8
0.1
Fallow
38
6
0.3
Source: Fisher and Hancock, 1991
48
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WLYJLU[MVSSV^PUNS\WPUHUKWLYJLU[MVSSV^PUNWLHZ
6.7.6 How does the inclusion of a crop legume
in the rotation impact on the overall
profitability of the system?
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WLYJLU[NYLH[LY[OHU[OVZLVM[OLJVU[PU\V\Z^OLH[Z
Legume-wheat rotations can be twice as
profitable as wheat-wheat rotations.
FIGURE 6.6 Rotation crop impact on wheat grain yield at
three Victorian Department of Primary Industries’ sites.
Wheat grain yield (t/ha)
6
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
5
TABLE 6.8 Effects of size of the lupin crop (lupin grain
yield) and year of study on rotational benefits of the
narrow-leafed lupin on wheat grains yields in WA.
4
Lupin grain yield / years of
experiments
Increase in wheat grain yield
following lupin (t/ha)
0.5–1.0t/ha
0.5
1.0–1.5t/ha
0.7
> 1.5t/ha
0.9
1
1974–80
0.4
0
1981–90
0.5
1991–97
1.0
3
2
Wheat/Wheat
Rutherglen, Vic
Canola/Wheat
Mininera, Vic
Faba/Wheat
Culcairn, NSW
SOURCE: Victoria DPI, unpublished data
TABLE 6.9 Benefits of chickpeas on yield and grain
protein of the following wheat crop.
Sites /
rotations
Wheat after
wheat
Wheat after
chickpea
No fertiliser N
+ fertiliser N (75–150kg/ha)
Yield (t/ha)
% protein
Yield (t/ha)
% protein
2.1
11.2
2.7
13.2
2.8
12.2
2.9
13.8
TABLE 6.10 Simple gross margin analysis of the N and
yield benefits of a chickpea-wheat rotation compared
with unfertilised or N-fertilised wheat-only sequences
Year 1
Data sourced from Lucy et al. 2005, representing the summary of a decade of rotations in the northern
grainbelt of NSW.
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6.8 What are the benefits of pasture
legume rotations?
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HUPTHSZ;OLYLMVYLHTHQVYILULMP[VMWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZPZ
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^LSSTHUHNLKPU[LUZP]LS`NYHaLKS\JLYULWHZ[\YLVUHISHJR
Wheat (0 N)/
wheat (0 N)
Wheat (100 kg/
ha N)/wheat
(0 N)
Chickpea
Wheat
Wheat
Grain yield (t/ha)
2.3
2.3
3.2
Grain ($)1
920
575
800
Cost of production ($)2
465
270
400
Gross margin ($)
455
305
400
Wheat
Wheat
Wheat
Year 2 (wheat only)
Grain yield (t/ha)
2.8
1.7
1.8
Grain ($)
700
425
450
Cost of production ($)
270
270
270
Gross margin ($)
430
155
180
2-year gross margin ($)
885
460
580
Yields taken from Table 6.5 and are the means of no-tillage and cultivated treatments at two sites in northern
NSW (source: unpublished data of WL Felton, H Marcellos, DF Herridge and GD Schwenke).
1 Chickpea at $400/t; wheat at $250/t; 2 NSW DPI figures
LHY[OHKKLKHIV\[RN5OHWLY`LHY/PNOLYSL]LSZVM
ZVPS[V[HS5^LYLTHPU[HPULKK\YPUNTVYL[OHUUPUL`LHYZVM
MVSSV^PUN^OLH[JYVWWPUN-PN\YL
Legume-pasture leys increase soil N and
enhance productivity of subsequent crops.
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FIGURE 6.7 Average percentage increase in wheat yields JYVWZYLMSLJ[LK[OLZ\IZ[HU[PHSPUW\[ZVMSLN\TL5PU[V[OL
and grain proteins for wheat following either lupin or peas,
ZVPS;OLILULMP[ZVM[OLWHZ[\YLSL`Z^LYLZ[PSSHWWHYLU[HM[LY
relative to wheat following wheat. Values are averages
[OYLL`LHYZVM^OLH[JYVWZWHY[PJ\SHYS`MVYS\JLYULWHZ[\YLZ
from 18 experiments.
;OLSVUN[LYTILULMP[ZYLZ\S[LKPUZH]PUNZVU5MLY[PSPZLY
% increase relative to wheat/wheat
PUW\[ZHZZOV^UPU;HISL
70
:PUNSL¶`LHYWHZ[\YLSL`ZHYLHSZVL_JLSSLU[MVYPUJYLHZPUN
60
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VUL`LHYS\JLYULHUKHUU\HSTLKPJSL`ZH[>HYYHPUZV\[OLYU
50
8\LLUZSHUKKLTVUZ[YH[LK[OH[ZVPSUP[YH[LMVSSV^PUN[OL
SLN\TLSL`PUJYLHZLKI`HZT\JOHZWLYJLU[JVTWHYLK
40
[V[OH[MVSSV^PUN^OLH[>LZ[VUL[HS
0U[OVZL[YPHSZ[OLOPNOLYZVPS^H[LY\ZLI`S\JLYUL
30
TLHU[[OH[[OLHKKP[PVUHSZVPSUP[YH[LMVSSV^PUNS\JLYULKPK
20
UV[[YHUZSH[LPU[VOPNOLY`PLSKZVM[OLMVSSV^PUN^OLH[JYVWZ
I\[[OLL_[YHUP[YH[LTLHU[MHYOPNOLYNYHPUWYV[LPUWLY
10
JLU[[OHUMVYJVU[PU\V\Z^OLH[ WLYJLU[
7HZ[\YLSLN\TLZ[`WPJHSS`WYV]PKLNYLH[LYZVPS5PUJYLHZLZ
0
Grain yield
Grain protein
Biomass
[OHUJYVWSLN\TLZ;OPZKPMMLYLUJLPZYLSH[LK[VNYLH[LY
Lupin/wheat
Pea/wheat
IPVTHZZYL[\YU[V[OLZ`Z[LTSVUNLYNYV^[OWLYPVKZHUK
SOURCE: Evans et al. 1991
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
6.7.7 How long does the rotational benefit last?
Chickpea/wheat
(0 N)
49
TABLE 6.11 Summary of data from pasture ley rotation experiments at NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tamworth.
Years duration
Shoot biomass dry
matter (t/ha)
Shoot biomass N
(kg/ha)
Nitrate-N at sowing1
(kg/ha)
Wheat grain yield2
(t/ha)
Wheat grain protein2
(%)
Lucerne
3
24.7
854
215
2.9
12.7
Clover
3
12.7
425
150
2.8
10.4
Annual medic
3
10.8
290
110
2.2
9.5
Wheat
1
3.3
37
15
1.1
9.6
Previous crop /
pasture ley
Data sourced from Holford and Crocker 1997 and Holford et al. 1998. Data are the means of six replicates and averaged over two soil types (black and red).
1 Nitrate-N levels to 1.2m at sowing in the first year after the pasture ley or after continuous wheat
2 Averaged over three years
TABLE 6.12 Savings in fertiliser N (kg/ha) from the three-year legume pasture leys at
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tamworth.
Previous crop/pasture
Wheat crop 1
Wheat crop 2
Wheat crop 3
Average 3 wheat crops
45*
120
65
80
>100
60
45
70
70
30
25
45
Lucerne
Clover
Annual medic
Data from long-term rotation experiments on black and red soils during 1988–93.
* low because of the soil drying effect of the lucerne ley.
50
NYLH[LYUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVULMMPJPLUJ`
(UHKKP[PVUHSILULMP[VMWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZPZ[OLPTWHJ[
[OLL_[YHVYNHUPJ5JHUOH]LVUZVPSZ[Y\J[\YL-PN\YL
JSLHYS`ZOV^Z[OLWVZP[P]LLMMLJ[VMWHZ[\YLSL`ZVU
HNNYLNH[LZ[HIPSP[`VMHYLKLHY[OZVPSPU[OL=PJ[VYPHU
NYHPUILS[(NNYLNH[LZ[HIPSP[`KLJSPULKVUJL^OLH[JYVWWPUN
YLJVTTLUJLK
;OLLMMLJ[VMVYNHUPJ5VUZVPSZ[Y\J[\YL]HYPLZ^P[O[OL
[`WLVMJSH`HUK[OLJSH`JVU[LU[VM[OLZVPS9\ZZLSS >P[O]LY[VZVSZISHJRLHY[OZOPNOPUJSH`JVU[LU[[OLYLPZ
SP[[SLYLSH[PVUZOPWIL[^LLUZVPSVYNHUPJTH[[LYHUKZ[Y\J[\YL
6U[OLV[OLYOHUKSVZZVMVYNHUPJTH[[LYJHUOH]L
ZLYPV\ZULNH[P]LLMMLJ[ZVUZ[Y\J[\YLVMZVPSZVMSLZZ[OHU
WLYJLU[JSH`LNYLKIYV^ULHY[OZVY^P[OOPNO
WYVWVY[PVUZVMZHUKHUKZPS[LNZHUKZZHUK`SVHTZ
4\JOVM[OLHNYPJ\S[\YLPU(\Z[YHSPH»ZZV\[OLYUHUK
^LZ[LYUNYHPUILS[Z^HZI\PS[HYV\UKZLX\LUJLZVMWHZ[\YL
SL`ZHUKJLYLHSZ(ZHNYPJ\S[\YHSSHUK\ZLKMVYJYVWWPUN
JVU[PU\LZ[VSVZLVYNHUPJTH[[LYHUKZ[Y\J[\YHSPU[LNYP[`
[OLYVSLVMWHZ[\YLSL`ZPUYLZ[VYPUNVYNHUPJMLY[PSP[`HUK
WYVK\J[P]P[`TH`ULLK[VILL_WHUKLK
Legume pasture leys have a positive impact
on soil structure as well as soil fertility.
6.9 Concluding comments
3LN\TLZOH]LILLU\ZLKHZHZV\YJLVMMVVKL]LYZPUJL
O\THURPUKMPYZ[[PSSLK[OLZVPSTHU`[OV\ZHUKZVM`LHYZHNV
-YVT]LY`LHYS`[PTLZSLN\TLZ^LYLYLJVNUPZLKHZºZVPS
PTWYV]LYZ»;OLMHYTLYZVMHUJPLU[4LZVWV[HTPHNYL^WLHZ
HUKILHUZPU[OLPYHNYPJ\S[\YHSZ`Z[LTZILJH\ZL[OL`YLHSPZLK
FIGURE 6.8 Build-up of soil total N under a well-managed,
intensively grazed lucerne pasture on a black earth at
Tamworth and the subsequent run-down during wheat
cropping. Soil N levels under the wheat monoculture are
FIGURE 6.9 Positive effects of pasture leys on aggregate
shown also.
stability of a red earth at Rutherglen, Victoria.
Soil total N (%, 0-15cm)
0.15
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Lucerne
0.14
Water stable aggregates (% of cont. wheat)
150
Legume pasture
Wheat
Wheat
140
0.13
130
0.12
120
110
0.11
Wheat
100
Wheat
0.10
0
2
4
6
Years
8
10
12
90
0
A 0.01 per cent increment in soil N to 15cm depth is equivalent to 180kg N/ha.
SOURCE: Holford 1981
2
4
Years
6
8
SOURCE: Reeves 1991
51
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
[OH[JLYLHSZ[OLPYTHPUZ[H`JYVWZ^LYLOLHS[OPLYHUKOPNOLY
`PLSKPUN^OLUNYV^UHM[LYHSLN\TLIYLHRJYVW
5V[OPUNT\JOOHZJOHUNLK.YV^LYZZ[PSSNYV^SLN\TLZ
HZYV[H[PVUJYVWZILJH\ZLVM[OL5ILULMP[ZHUKILJH\ZLP[
OLSWZ[OLT[VZWYLHKYPZRHUKTHUHNL^LLKZWLZ[ZHUK
KPZLHZLZPU[OLWYVK\J[PVUZ`Z[LTHUKPTWYV]LZVPSOLHS[O
0U[OPZJOHW[LY^LOH]L[YPLK[VMSLZOV\[[OLUH[\YL
VMSLN\TLUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUHUK[OLYV[H[PVUHSILULMP[ZVM
SLN\TLZI`Z\TTHYPZPUNZVTLVM[OLTVYLYLJLU[YLZLHYJO
KH[HVU[OL[VWPJZ>LOH]LHSZVWYV]PKLKL_HTWSLZVM
OV^SLN\TLUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUHUK`PLSKZTPNO[ILVW[PTPZLK
[OYV\NOJYVWHUKWHZ[\YLTHUHNLTLU[
6W[PTPZPUNSLN\TL`PLSKZ^P[OPUHU`Z`Z[LTJHUVUS`IL
HJOPL]LK[OYV\NOILZ[THUHNLTLU[WYHJ[PJLPUHNYVUVT`
^OLYLWYVK\J[PVUPZUV[JVUZ[YHPULKI`ZVPSKLMPJPLUJPLZ
WVVYHNYVUVT`PUZLJ[ZKPZLHZL^LLKZVYU\[YPLU[Z6UJL
[OPZPZHJOPL]LKM\Y[OLY`PLSKNHPUZTH`ILTHKL[OYV\NO
\ZPUNLSP[LOPNO`PLSKPUN]HYPL[PLZ[OH[HYL^LSSHKHW[LK[V
[OLSVJH[PVU
5VK\SH[PVUT\Z[HSZVILVW[PTPZLKLP[OLY[OYV\NO^LSS
JVUK\J[LKPUVJ\SH[PVUVYI`NYV^PUN[OLSLN\TLPUZVPSZ[OH[
HYLRUV^U[VJVU[HPUOPNOU\TILYZVMLMMLJ[P]LJVTWH[PISL
YOPaVIPH7YL]PV\ZJOHW[LYZPU[OPZOHUKIVVRL_HTPULK
[OLTLJOHUPZTZVM[OLYOPaVIPHSLN\TLZ`TIPVZPZHUK
L_WSVYLKTHUHNLTLU[KLJPZPVUZYLNHYKPUN^OLUHUKOV^[V
PUVJ\SH[L
7 LEGUME INOCULATION FACT SHEETS
0U[OPZ*OHW[LY^LWYLZLU[[OLM\SSSPZ[VMYOPaVIPHSZ[YHPUZ[OH[
HYLH]HPSHISL[VIL\ZLKI`(\Z[YHSPHUMHYTLYZMVSSV^LKI`H
ZLYPLZVM-HJ[:OLL[ZMVYPUVJ\SH[PUN[OLTVYL^PKLS`NYV^U
SLN\TLZ
F
WSM1455
G
WU425 or
WSM471
7.1 List of rhizobial strains used in
Australian inoculants
Inoculant
group
Rhizobial
strain
AL
RRI128
AM
B
WSM1115
TA1
52
C
WSM1325
Legume common
name
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
CC829
E
SU303 or
WSM1455
Vicia ervilia
Narbon bean
Vicia narbonensis
Lathyrus
Lathyrus cicera
Faba, tick or broad
bean
Vicia faba
Lentil
Lens culinaris
Narrow-leaf lupin
Lupinus
angustifolius
Lucerne or alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Mediterranean
white lupin
Lupinus albus
Strand medic
Medicago littoralis
Yellow lupin
Lupinus luteus
Melilotus
Melilotus albus
Sandplain lupin
Lupinus cosentinii
Disc medic
Medicago tornata
H
CB1809
Soybean
Glycine max
Barrel medic
I
CB1015
Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
Burr medic
Medicago
truncatula
Medicago
polymorpha
Snail medic
Medicago scutellata
Sphere medic
Medicago
sphaerocarpus
Gama medic
Medicago rugosa
Murex
Medicago murex
White clover
Trifolium repens
Red clover
Trifolium pratense
Strawberry clover
Trifolium fragiferum
Alsike clover
Trifolium hybridum
Talish clover
Trifolium tumens
Berseem, Egyptian
clover
Cluster or ball
clover
Trifolium
alexandrinum
Trifolium
glomeratum
Suckling clover
Trifolium dubium
Trifolium
Subterranean clover subterraneum
Trifolium
Balansa clover
michelianum
Trifolium
Bladder clover
spumosum
Trifolium
Crimson clover
incarnatum
Purple clover
Trifolium purpureum
Arrowleaf clover
Trifolium
vesiculosum
Rose clover
Trifolium hirtum
Gland clover
D
Legume botanical
name
Bitter vetch
Mungbean (green
gram)
Mungbean (black
gram)
J
CB1024
Trifolium clypeatum
Persian or shaftal
clover
Trifolium
resupinatum
Lotus
Lotus pedunculatus
Pea, field pea
Pisum sativum
Tares or common
vetch
Vicia sativa
Woolly pod vetch
Vicia daisycarpa
Grass pea
Lathyrus sativus
Vigna mungo
Pigeon pea
Cajanus cajan
Lablab, hyacinth
bean
Lablab pupureus
Horse gram, biflorus Macrotyloma
uniflorum
Perennial horse
Macrotyloma
gram
axillare
L
M
CB376
CB756
N
CC1192
P
NC92
S
WSM471 or
WU425
Trifolium
glanuliferum
Helmet clover
Vigna radiata
Lotononis
Glycine
Neontonia wightii
Butterfly pea
Clitoria ternatea
Chickpea (desi and
kabuli)
Peanut or
groundnut
Arachis hypogaea
Ornithopus
compressus
Slender serradella
Ornithopus pinnatus
Pink serradella
Ornithopus sativus
Birdsfoot
CB82
Cicer arietinum
Yellow serradella
Hybrid serradella
SPECIAL
Lotononis bainesii
Velvet bean, banana Mucuna
bean
deeringiana
Macroptilium
Siratro
atropurpureum
Macroptilium
Phasey bean
lathyroides
Puero, tropical
Pueraria
kudzu
phaseoloides
Calopogonium
Calopo
mucunoides
Fine stem stylo
Stylo
Townsville stylo
Ornithopus
compressus X
sativus
Ornithopus
perpusillus
Stylosanthes
guianensis var.
intermedia
Stylosanthes
guianensis var.
guianensis
Stylosanthes
humilis
Shrubby stylo
CB1923
Centro
Centurion
Stylosanthes
viscosa
Centrosema
pubescens
Centrosema
pascuorum
Arachis pintoi
CB627
Desmodium
CB3126
Desmanthus
CB3060
Leucaena
Desmodium
intortum
Desmanthus
virgatus
Leucaena
leucocephala
Stylosanthes
hamata
Chamaecytisus
palmensis
Aeschynomene
falcata
Hedysarum
coronarium
CB1650
CC1502
CB2312
WSM1592
CC283b
Caribbean stylo
(verano)
Tree lucerne or
tagasaste
Bargoo jointvetch
Sulla
Caucasian clover,
kura clover
Guar or cluster
bean
Trifolium ambiguum
SU277
Fenugreek
CB3481
Caatinga stylo
Cyamopsis
tetragonoloba
Trigonella foenumgraecum
Stylosanthes
seabrana
SU343
Lotus
Lotus corniculatus
CB3035
WSM1497
Biserrula
Biserrula pelecinus
CB3171
Calliandra
Calliandra spp.
CC1099
Sainfoin
Onobrychis viciifolia
CC511
French or common
bean
Lima bean, butter
bean
Scarlet runner bean
fire bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
Phaseolus lunatus
Burgundy bean
Phaseolus
coccineus
Macroptilium
bracteatum
Adzuki bean
Vigna angularis
CB2312
Jointvetch
Aeschynomene
americana
CB3090
Gliricidia
Gliricidia spp.
CB1717
5G1B
;OLMHJ[ZOLL[ZHYLHYYHUNLKPU[OLMVSSV^PUNVYKLY!
Grain legumes (pulses and oilseed legumes)
Q *OPJRWLHNYV\W5
Q -PLSKWLH]L[JONYV\W,HUKMHIHILHUSLU[PSNYV\W-
Q 3\WPUHUKZLYYHKLSSHNYV\WZ.HUK:
Q 7LHU\[NYV\W7
Q 4\UNILHUHUKJV^WLHNYV\W0
Q :V`ILHUNYV\W/
Q (UU\HSJSV]LYZNYV\W*
Q (UU\HSTLKPJZNYV\W(4
Q )PZLYY\SH:WLJPHSIPZLYY\SH
Q 3V[\ZNYV\W+HUKZWLJPHSSV[\Z
Q 3\JLYULZ[YHUKHUKKPZJTLKPJNYV\W(3
Q 7LYLUUPHSJSV]LYZNYV\W)
Q :LYYHKLSSHNYV\WZ.HUK:"ZLLZLYYHKLSSH^P[OS\WPU
53
HIV]L
Q :\SSHZWLJPHSZ\SSH
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Pinto peanut
CIAT3101
Pasture legumes
7.2 CHICKPEA
inoculation fact sheet
Chickpea
Strain: CC1192 (Group N)
Cicer arietinum
Mesorhizobium ciceri
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
*OPJRWLHWSHU[PUNZOH]LILLUZ[LHKPS`PUJYLHZPUNV]LY
[OLWHZ[KLJHKL[VHUHUU\HS[V[HSVMTVYL[OHU
OLJ[HYLZ[OYV\NOV\[(\Z[YHSPH(IV\[ WLYJLU[VM[OLZL
HYLHZHYLPU5L^:V\[O>HSLZHUK8\LLUZSHUK*OPJRWLH
YOPaVIPHHYLNLULYHSS`WYLZLU[PUZVPSZ^OLYLJOPJRWLH
OHZILLUYLJLU[S`NYV^UHS[OV\NOU\TILYZJHU]HY`
Z\IZ[HU[PHSS`^P[OZVPS[`WLHUKLU]PYVUTLU[
Nodulation
5VK\SLZHYLPUKL[LYTPUH[LHUKVM[LUT\S[PSVILKZLL-PN\YL
-VYJOPJRWLHZ[VUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[PZZH[PZMHJ[VY`
HM[LYHIV\[LPNO[^LLRZVMWSHU[NYV^[O
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown chickpea
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
฀฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
ago (recommended pulse rotation); OR
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀
years.
฀
฀
฀ ฀
Inoculation method
7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHWWSPLK[V[OLZLLKYLTHPUZ[OLTVZ[
JVTTVUS`\ZLKTL[OVKVMPUVJ\SH[PVUMVYJOPJRWLH:VTL
PUVJ\SHU[PZHSZVHWWSPLKHZNYHU\SHYHUKMYLLaLKYPLK
MVYT\SH[PVUZ:LLKJHUILJVH[LK^P[OLP[OLY[OLWLH[VY
MYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHZZS\YYPLZQ\Z[WYPVY[V
WSHU[PUNVYK\YPUN[YHUZMLYH\NLYPUN(S[LYUH[P]LS`WLH[
VYMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\S\TJHUILHWWSPLKPUM\YYV^^OLU
WSHU[PUN\ZPUNH^H[LYPUQLJ[PVUZ`Z[LT.YHU\SHYPUVJ\S\T
JHUILKPZWLUZLKPU[V[OLZLLKYV^^P[O[OLZLLKH[
WSHU[PUN
Key considerations
>OLYLJOPJRWLHOHZUV[ILLUNYV^UILMVYLPUVJ\SH[PVU
PZYLX\PYLK[VHJOPL]LNVVKUVK\SH[PVU,]LU^OLYL
IHJRNYV\UKWVW\SH[PVUZVMYOPaVIPHHYLWYLZLU[PUVJ\SH[PVU
TH`IL^VY[O^OPSLILJH\ZL[OLIHJRNYV\UKYOPaVIPHHYL
VM[LUUV[HZLMMLJ[P]LH[MP_PUNUP[YVNLU
54
FIGURE 7.1 Roots of deep-sown chickpea plants showing multi-lobed nodules particularly around the crown
(i.e. site of inoculation).
฀
฀
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
7.3 FIELD PEA, VETCH, FABA BEAN
and LENTIL inoculation fact sheet
Field pea and vetch
Strain: SU303 (group E)
Pisum sativum
Vicia species
Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae
Fababean, broad bean and lentil
Strain: WSM1455 (group F)
Vicia faba
Lens culinaris
Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae
;OLZHTLZWLJPLZVMYOPaVIPHJHUUVK\SH[LSLN\TLZPU
PUVJ\SHU[NYV\WZ,HUK-;OLYOPaVIPHOH]LILLU^PKLS`
KPZ[YPI\[LKMVSSV^PUNKLJHKLZVMWHY[PJ\SHYS`WLHHUK]L[JO
J\S[P]H[PVU7YLZLU[JVTIPULKZV^PUNZVMWLHMHIHILHU
HUKSLU[PSHYLHIV\[OLJ[HYLZWLY`LHY:WYLHKHUK
Z\Y]P]HSVM[OLYOPaVIPHOHZHSZVILLUHZZPZ[LKI`]L[JO
^OPJOPZIYVHKS`UH[\YHSPZLKHUKHSZVZV^UHZHMVYHNL
NYLLUTHU\YLJYVW
(S[OV\NO[OLYOPaVIPHOH]LILLU^PKLS`KPZ[YPI\[LK[OLPY
TVKLYH[LZLUZP[P]P[`[VZVPSHJPKP[`TLHUZ[OL`ZVTL[PTLZ
VJJ\YH[SL]LSZILSV^^OH[PZULLKLKMVYVW[PTHSUVK\SH[PVU
Inoculation Method
0UVJ\SH[PVU\Z\HSS`VJJ\YZI`WV\YPUNVYZWYH`PUNHZS\YY`
VMWLH[PUVJ\SHU[V]LYZLLKK\YPUN[YHUZMLYH\NLYPUN
WYPVY[VZV^PUN7LH[NYHU\SLHUKMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[
MVYT\SH[PVUZJHUHSZVIL\ZLK
Key considerations
;^VPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPUZHYLWYV]PKLKMVY[OLZLSLN\TLZ[V
VW[PTPZLUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUWV[LU[PHSVM[OLKPMMLYLU[SLN\TL
OVZ[Z-VY[OPZYLHZVUVUS`NYV\W-ZOV\SKIL\ZLKVUMHIH
ILHUZHUKSLU[PSZ.YV\W,:<PZWYLMLYYLKMVYMPLSK
WLHZI\[NYV\W->:4JHUIL\ZLKPUP[ZWSHJLHZP[
PZVUS`THYNPUHSS`SLZZLMMLJ[P]L
9OPaVIPHMVY[OLZLSLN\TLZHYLTVKLYH[LS`ZLUZP[P]L[VZVPS
HJPKP[`;OLPYU\TILYTH`ILZ\IVW[PTHSVYHIZLU[^OLYLZVPS
W/PZSLZZ[OHUL]LU^OLYL[OLYLOHZILLUHYLJLU[OPZ[VY`
VMSLN\TLOVZ[(IV\[WLYJLU[VMZVPSZPU:V\[O(\Z[YHSPH
HUK=PJ[VYPHHUKWLYJLU[VMZVPSZPU>LZ[LYU(\Z[YHSPH
JVU[HPUPUZ\MMPJPLU[YOPaVIPH[VTH_PTPZLWLHUVK\SH[PVU
-VY\W[VWLYJLU[VMZVPSZLMMLJ[P]LULZZVM[OL
YOPaVIPH^P[OMPLSKWLHYHUNLZMYVT[VWLYJLU[VM
[OLJVTTLYJPHSPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPUHUK[OLYLMVYLTHU`MPLSK
WLHJYVWZTH`ILULMP[MYVTPUVJ\SH[PVU.YVZZS`PULMMLJ[P]L
Z`TIPVZLZHYLYHYLS`VIZLY]LK
*YVWZZ\JOHZMHIHILHUZ[OH[OH]LWV[LU[PHS[VWYVK\JL
HSV[VMKY`TH[[LYOH]LHOPNOLYKLTHUKMVYUP[YVNLUHUK
[OLYLMVYLTH`ILTVYLYLZWVUZP]L[VPUVJ\SH[PVU[OHUMPLSKWLH
Nodulation
4VYL[OHUWPURUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[HYLVM[LUVIZLY]LK
HM[LYLPNO[[V^LLRZWSHU[NYV^[OPUSVHTJSH`ZVPSZ
-VYSPNO[LY[L_[\YLKZVPSZUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[PZKLLTLK
ZH[PZMHJ[VY`ZLL-PN\YL
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown pea, faba bean, lentil and
vetch
) below 6.0 and high summer soil
฀
฀
฀฀
HIGH
2
temperatures (>35°C for 40 days); OR
฀฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
grown.
MODERATE
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
four years (recommended pulse rotation); OR
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
LOW
FIGURE 7.2 Well-nodulated roots of field pea (left) and faba bean (right).
฀฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
history of host crop with good nodulation.
฀
฀ ฀
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
55
7.4 LUPIN and SERRADELLA
inoculation fact sheet
Lupin
Strain: WU425 or WSM471 (group G)
Lupinus species
Narrow-leafed, white, yellow and
sand-plain
Bradyrhizobium spp. lupinus
Serradella
Strain: WSM471 or WU425 (group S)
Ornithopus species
Yellow, pink, hybrid, slender and
birdsfoot
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
3LN\TLZPU[OLNYV\WZ.HUK:PUVJ\SH[PVUNYV\WZ
HYLUVK\SH[LKI`[OLZHTLZWLJPLZVMYOPaVIPHPL
)YHK`YOPaVIP\TZWW*VTTLYJPHSWSHU[PUNZVMZLYYHKLSSH
ILNHUPU[OL Z^OPSLZPNUPMPJHU[WSHU[PUNZVMS\WPU
JVTTLUJLKPU[OL Z)V[OSLN\TLZHYLHKHW[LK
[VHJPKPJ[VUL\[YHSZHUK`ZVPSZHUKHYL[OLYLMVYL^PKLS`
NYV^UPU>(^OLYL[OL`OH]LILLUZV^UVUZL]LYHSTPSSPVU
OLJ[HYLZ;OLYOPaVIPH[LUK[VILWLYZPZ[LU[^OLYL[OL
SLN\TLOHZILLUNYV^UI\[YLTHPUJVUMPULK[V[OVZLHYLHZ
ILJH\ZL\USPRL[OLJSV]LYZHUKTLKPJZHUHYYH`VMSLN\TL
ZWLJPLZ[OH[OVZ[[OLYOPaVIPHOH]LUV[KPZWLYZLKHUK
UH[\YHSPZLKPU(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZ
Key considerations
:PUJLSH[L[^VPUVJ\SHU[NYV\WZHYLH]HPSHISLHUK
JHUIL\ZLKMVYIV[OS\WPUHUKZLYYHKLSSH;OL`HYLNYV\W
.JVU[HPUPUNZ[YHPU><VYNYV\W:JVU[HPUPUNZ[YHPU
>:4
9OPaVIPHMVY[OLZLSLN\TLZHYLOPNOS`[VSLYHU[VMZVPS
HJPKP[`I\[ZVTLPUZ[HUJLZVMPUHKLX\H[LU\TILYPUZVPSHM[LY
MV\YZ`LHYZSLN\TLHIZLUJLOH]LILLUYLJVYKLK;VW\W
PUVJ\SH[PVUTH`IL^VY[O^OPSL^OLYL[OLOVZ[JYVWOHZILLU
HIZLU[MV\YVYTVYL`LHYZ
(Z[OLZLSLN\TLZHYLVM[LUNYV^UVU]LY`ZHUK`ZVPSZ
[OH[HYLHJ\[LS`KLMPJPLU[PUH]HPSHISLUP[YVNLUUVK\SH[PVU
MHPS\YLJHUYLZ\S[PU[V[HSJYVWVYWHZ[\YLMHPS\YL>OLYL[OLYL
PZUVWYL]PV\ZOPZ[VY`VMS\WPUVYZLYYHKLSSHPUVJ\SH[PVUPZ
LZZLU[PHS
Nodulation
-VYZLYYHKLSSHTVYL[OHUWPURUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[PZ
ZH[PZMHJ[VY`HM[LYLPNO[[V^LLRZWSHU[NYV^[O-VYS\WPU
UVK\SLZJHUILKPMMPJ\S[[VJV\U[I\[[OLJVSSHYYLNPVU[VW
VMYVV[Z`Z[LTPZ[`WPJHSS`JV]LYLKI`UVK\SLTH[LYPHSPU^LSS
UVK\SH[LKWSHU[ZZLL-PN\YL
Inoculation method
56
3\WPUPZ\Z\HSS`PUVJ\SH[LKI`WV\YPUNVYZWYH`PUNHZS\YY`
VMWLH[PUVJ\SHU[V]LYZLLKK\YPUN[YHUZMLYZH\NLYPUN
WYPVY[VZV^PUN7LH[NYHU\SHYHUKMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[
MVYT\SH[PVUZHYLHSZV\ZLK
0UVJ\SH[PVUVMZLYYHKLSSHPZTVZ[S`KVUL^P[O[OL
HWWSPJH[PVUVMHZS\YY`VMWLH[>OLYLWVKKLKZLYYHKLSSHPZ
ILPUNPUVJ\SH[LKHKQ\Z[TLU[Z[VSPX\PK]VS\TLZHYLYLX\PYLK
[VLUZ\YLL]LUKPZ[YPI\[PVUHUKZ\Y]P]HSVMPUVJ\SHU[HUK
[OLTHU\MHJ[\YLY»ZPUZ[Y\J[PVUZZOV\SKILJHYLM\SS`MVSSV^LK
ZLL*OHW[LY3PTLWLSSL[PUNOHZILLUZOV^U[VIL
HK]HU[HNLV\Z[VYOPaVIPHSZ\Y]P]HSHUKZLYYHKLSSHUVK\SH[PVU
PULHZ[LYU(\Z[YHSPHL]LU[OV\NOZLYYHKLSSHYOPaVIPHHYL
UH[\YHSS`HJPK[VSLYHU[3PTLWLSSL[PUNVMZLYYHKLSSHPZ
YLJVTTLUKLKPUHSSZ[H[LZL_JLW[>(
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown lupin and serradella
HIGH
฀฀
MODERATE
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
nodulation below expectation.
LOW
฀฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
Australian wheat/sheep belt; OR
฀฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
growth and good nodulation.
FIGURE 7.3 Examples of well-nodulated serradella (left) and lupin (right).
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
7.5 PEANUT
inoculation fact sheet
57
Peanut (or groundnut)
Strain: NC92 (group P)
Arachis hypogaea
Bradyrhizobium spp.
FIGURE 7.4 Photo of well-nodulated peanut.
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
Inoculation method
>H[LYPUQLJ[PVUVMWLH[VYMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\S\TPZ
YLJVTTLUKLK[VLSPTPUH[LKHTHNL[V[OLZLLKMYVT
HWWS`PUNHZS\YY`JVH[PUN(S[LYUH[P]LS`NYHU\SHYPUVJ\S\TJHU
ILKPZWLUZLK^P[O[OLZLLKH[WSHU[PUN
Key considerations
0UVJ\SH[PVUL]LY`ZLHZVUPZYLJVTTLUKLK[VTH_PTPZL
`PLSKZHZUH[P]LVYºIHJRNYV\UK»YOPaVIPHJVTWL[LZ[YVUNS`
^P[O[OLPUVJ\SH[LKZ[YHPUMVYYVV[PUMLJ[PVUI\[HYLUV[HZ
LMMLJ[P]LH[MP_PUNUP[YVNLU
Nodulation
7LHU\[ZJHUMVYTTHU`UVK\SLZPLTVYL[OHUWSHU[
0[PZ]PY[\HSS`PTWVZZPISL[VZ[H[L[OLU\TILYVMUVK\SLZWLY
WSHU[HM[LYLPNO[[V^LLRZVMWSHU[NYV^[O[OH[TPNO[IL
JVUZPKLYLKZH[PZMHJ[VY`:LL-PN\YL
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown peanut
HIGH
฀฀
฀
MODERATE
฀฀
฀
฀
effective rhizobia.
LOW
฀฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
(\Z[YHSPHUNYV^LYZWYVK\JLHIV\[[VUULZVMWLHU\[Z
HUU\HSS`MYVTHIV\[OLJ[HYLZ4VYL[OHU WLYJLU[
VM[OLZLHYLNYV^UPU8\LLUZSHUK^P[OHML^NYV^LYZHSZVPU
UVY[OLYU5:>HUKUVY[OLYU>(6UL[OPYKVMWYVK\J[PVUPZ
YHPUMLKHUK[^V[OPYKZPZPYYPNH[LK^P[OYLZWLJ[P]LH]LYHNL
`PLSKZVMHUK[OH
7.6 MUNGBEAN and COWPEA
inoculation fact sheet
Mungbean
Strain: CB1015 (group I)
Vigna radiata, V. mungo
Bradyrhizobium spp.
FIGURE 7.5 Well-nodulated mungbean from field.
Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
4\UNILHUZHYL[OLTVYL^PKLS`NYV^USLN\TLPU[OPZ
PUVJ\SHU[NYV\W^P[O[OLTHQVYP[`ILPUNNYV^UPUZV\[OLYU
HUKJLU[YHS8\LLUZSHUKHUKUVY[OLYU5:>
Inoculation method
7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHWWSPLK[V[OLZLLKYLTHPU[OLTVZ[
JVTTVUS`\ZLKTL[OVKVMPUVJ\SH[PVUMVY[OPZSLN\TL
0UVJ\SHU[PZHSZVH]HPSHISLPUNYHU\SHYHUKMYLLaLKYPLK
MVYTZ:LLKJHUILJVH[LK^P[OLP[OLY[OLWLH[VYMYLLaL
KYPLKPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHZZS\YYPLZQ\Z[WYPVY[VWSHU[PUN
JVTTVUS`I`HWWS`PUN[V[OLZLLKZK\YPUN[YHUZMLYZ
H\NLYPUN(S[LYUH[P]LS`WLH[VYMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\S\TJHU
ILHWWSPLKPUM\YYV^^OLUWSHU[PUN\ZPUNH^H[LYPUQLJ[PVU
Z`Z[LTVYNYHU\SHYPUVJ\S\TJHUILKPZWLUZLK^P[O[OL
ZLLKH[WSHU[PUN
Key considerations
:VPSUP[YH[LTH`KLWYLZZUVK\SH[PVUHUKUP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUVM
T\UNILHUL]LUH[YLSH[P]LS`SV^TPULYHSUP[YVNLUZ\WWS`
Nodulation
-VYT\UNILHUHUKJV^WLHTVYL[OHUUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[
PZZH[PZMHJ[VY`HM[LYLPNO[[V^LLRZVMWSHU[NYV^[OZLL
-PN\YL
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown mungbean and cowpea
58
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
฀฀ ฀
฀
species.
฀฀
฀
฀
effective rhizobia.
฀฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀Vigna
฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
7.7 SOYBEAN
inoculation fact sheet
59
Soybean
Strain: CB1809 (Group H)
Glycine max
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
FIGURE 7.6 Well-nodulated soybean roots dug from soil
when plants were mid-flowering.
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
Inoculation method
7LH[PUVJ\SHU[ZHWWSPLK[V[OLZLLKYLTHPU[OLTVZ[
JVTTVUS`\ZLKTL[OVKVMPUVJ\SH[PVUMVY[OPZSLN\TL
0UVJ\SHU[PZHSZVH]HPSHISLPUNYHU\SHYHUKMYLLaLKYPLK
MVYTZ:LLKJHUILJVH[LK^P[OLP[OLY[OLWLH[VYMYLLaL
KYPLKPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHZZS\YYPLZQ\Z[WYPVY[VWSHU[PUN
HUKHYLJVTTVUS`HWWSPLK[V[OLZLLKZK\YPUN[YHUZMLY
H\NLYPUN(S[LYUH[P]LS`WLH[VYMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\S\TJHU
ILHWWSPLKPUM\YYV^^OLUWSHU[PUN\ZPUNH^H[LYPUQLJ[PVU
Z`Z[LTVYNYHU\SHYPUVJ\S\TJHUILKPZWLUZLK^P[O[OL
ZLLKH[WSHU[PUN
Key considerations
>OLUNYV^U^P[OPYYPNH[PVUVY\UKLYOPNOYHPUMHSSJVUKP[PVUZ
ZV`ILHUZJHUWYVK\JLJVUZPKLYHISLZOVV[IPVTHZZZL]LU
[VLPNO[[VUULZWLYOLJ[HYLHUKNYHPU`PLSKMV\Y[VUULZWLY
OLJ[HYLHUKMP_HZT\JOHZ[VRN5OH:V`ILHU
PZZWLJPMPJPUP[ZYLX\PYLTLU[MVYYOPaVIPH:V`ILHU^PSSUV[
UVK\SH[L^P[O[OLZHTLYHUNLVMUH[\YHSPZLKZVPSYOPaVIPH
HZT\UNILHUVYJV^WLH;OLYLMVYLNVVKHNYVUVT`HUK
NVVKPUVJ\SH[PVUWYHJ[PJLHYLULJLZZHY`[VHJOPL]L`PLSKHUK
UP[YVNLUMP_H[PVUWV[LU[PHSZ
Nodulation
-VYZV`ILHUZTVYL[OHUUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[PZZH[PZMHJ[VY`
HM[LYLPNO[[V^LLRZVMWSHU[NYV^[OZLL-PN\YL
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown soybean
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
฀฀ ฀
฀
soils.
฀฀
฀
years ago.
฀฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
:V`ILHUPZNYV^UPUHYLHZVMHKLX\H[L[VOPNOZ\TTLY
YHPUMHSSVY^OLYLPYYPNH[PVUPZWVZZPISL;OPZPUJS\KLZH^PKL
HYLHMYVTUVY[OLYU8\LLUZSHUKHSVUN[OLJVHZ[HSZ\NHY
ILS[HUKPUJLU[YHS8\LLUZSHUK[V[OL+HYSPUN+V^UZPU[V
[OL5:>JVHZ[HSOPU[LYSHUKHUK[VPUSHUKJYVWWPUNYLNPVUZ
VMZV\[OLYU5:>HUK=PJ[VYPH;OL`HYLHSZVNYV^UPU[OL
UVY[OLYUPYYPNH[PVUHYLHZVM>(
7.8 ANNUAL CLOVERS
inoculation fact sheet
Annual Clovers
Strain: WSM1325 (group C)
:\I[LYYHULHUJSV]LYPZ[OLTVZ[^PKLS`ZV^USLN\TLPU
[OPZNYV\W0[PZZV^UVUHIV\[OLJ[HYLZHUU\HSS`
HUKVJJ\YZVUTVYL[OHUTPSSPVUOLJ[HYLZVMUL\[YHS
[VHJPKZVPSZPUZV\[OLYU(\Z[YHSPH4HU`UVUZV^UJSV]LY
ZWLJPLZ[OH[OH]LUH[\YHSPZLKL_[LUZP]LS`OH]LHZZPZ[LK[OL
^PKLZWYLHKWYVSPMLYH[PVUVMJSV]LYUVK\SH[PUNYOPaVIPH
JVTTLYJPHSPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPU0UVJ\SH[PVU^PSSOLSWV]LYJVTL
Z\IVW[PTHSZ`TIPVZLZPUZOVY[[LYTWHZ[\YLZ
:VTLHUU\HSJSV]LYZWLJPLZUV[HIS`NSHUKISHKKLYHUK
HYYV^SLHMJSV]LYZHYLSLZZJVTWH[PISL^P[OUH[\YHSPZLKZVPS
YOPaVIPHHUKPUVJ\SH[PVUPZJVUZPKLYLKLZZLU[PHS[VLUZ\YL
HKLX\H[LLZ[HISPZOTLU[
*SV]LYZ`TIPVZLZHYLYLHZVUHIS`[VSLYHU[VMSV^ZVPSW/
I\[PKLHSS`ZVPSW/ZOV\SKILNYLH[LY[OHU)HJRNYV\UK
ZVPSYOPaVIPHZOV\SKUV[ILYLSPLK\WVUPU]LY`SV^W/ZVPSZ
L]LU^OLYLNVVKUVK\SH[PVUPZVIZLY]LKPU[OLWHZ[\YLILMVYL
YLUV]H[PVU+PZY\W[PVUVMIHJRNYV\UKYOPaVIPHMYVTZVPSTPJYV
ZP[LZK\YPUNWHZ[\YLYLUV]H[PVUTH`YLZ\S[PU[OLPYKLH[O^P[O
[OLZP[LILJVTPUNYLZWVUZP]L[VPUVJ\SH[PVU
Inoculation method
Nodulation
0UVJ\SH[PVUPZTVZ[S`KVUL^P[O[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVMHZS\YY`
VMWLH[MVSSV^LKI`WLSSL[PUN^P[OMPULSPTLVYV[OLYZ\P[HISL
WYVK\J[3HYNLZV^PUNZVMISHKKLYJSV]LYPU>(HUK5:>
OHZYLZ\S[LKPUNYHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[ZILPUN\ZLK
;OLH]HPSHIPSP[`VMWYLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLKOHZPUJYLHZLK
/V^L]LYZ\Y]P]HSVM[OLYOPaVIPHPZVM[LUWVVYHUK[OLYLMVYL
MYLZOS`PUVJ\SH[LKJVH[LKZLLKPZWYLMLYYLK
.YHU\SLHUKMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHYL
H]HPSHISL
¶WPURUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[HM[LYLPNO[^LLR»ZNYV^[O
PUKPJH[LZNVVKUVK\SH[PVUVMZ\IJSV]LYZLL-PN\YL
Trifolium species
Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii
Subterranean, balansa, Persian,
bladder arrowleaf, rose, gland,
crimson, purple, bladder, cupped,
helmet and berseem.
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
Key considerations
;OLTHQVYP[`VM(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZ^P[OHOPZ[VY`VMNYV^PUN
HUU\HSVYWLYLUUPHSJSV]LYZJVU[HPUJSV]LYUVK\SH[PUN
YOPaVIPH,MMLJ[P]LULZZVM[OLUH[\YHSPZLKZVPSYOPaVIPH^P[O
Z\IJSV]LYPZVM[LUZ\IVW[PTHSH]LYHNPUNWLYJLU[VM[OL
60
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown annual clovers
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
inoculated.
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
grown.
) below 5.0 and where there is tillage
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
2
at pasture renovation.
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
expectation. May be associated with development of
sub-optimal populations of soil rhizobia. High numbers of
rhizobia on sown seed will compete with soil rhizobia at
sowing but potency will diminish after several seasons.
฀฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
good clover growth and nodulation.
FIGURE 7.7 Well-nodulated subterranean clover. Plant grown in greenhouse (left) and plant from field (right).
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
7.9 ANNUAL MEDICS
inoculation fact sheet
Annual Medics
Strain: WSM1115 (group AM)
Medicago species (except strand
and disc)
Barrel, burr, snail, murex, sphere and
gama
Sinorhizobium medicae
61
;OLNYV\W(3PUVJ\SHU[ZOV\SKUV[IL\ZLKHZHZ\IZ[P[\[L
ILJH\ZL[OLPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPU990PZSLZZLMMLJ[P]LH[MP_PUN
UP[YVNLU^P[OZVTLTLKPJZWLJPLZPU[OPZNYV\W
Nodulation
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
WPURUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[HM[LYLPNO[^LLR»ZNYV^[O
PUKPJH[LZNVVKUVK\SH[PVUVMHUU\HSTLKPJZZLL-PN\YL
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown annual medics
HIGH
฀฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
(CaCl2) below 6.0; OR
฀฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
0UVJ\SH[PVUPZTVZ[S`KVUL^P[O[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVMHZS\YY`VMWLH[
MVSSV^LKI`WLSSL[PUN^P[OMPULSPTLVYV[OLYZ\P[HISLWYVK\J[
.YHU\SLHUKMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHYLH]HPSHISL
MODERATE
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
May be associated with development of sub-optimal
populations of rhizobia. Mean effectiveness of soil rhizobia
with burr medic estimated to be 30 per cent. High numbers
of rhizobia on sown seed will compete with soil rhizobia at
sowing but potency will diminish after several seasons.
Key considerations
LOW
฀฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
history of vigorous medic growth and good nodulation
Inoculation method
;OLTHQVYP[`VM(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZ[OH[HYLUL\[YHSVYHSRHSPUL
PUW/HUKOH]LHOPZ[VY`VMNYV^PUNHUU\HSTLKPJIV[O
ZV^UHUKUH[\YHSPZLKZWLJPLZ^PSSJVU[HPUTLKPJUVK\SH[PUN
YOPaVIPH
,MMLJ[P]LULZZVM[OLUH[\YHSPZLKZVPSYOPaVIPHPZVM[LUZ\I
VW[PTHSH]LYHNPUNWLYJLU[VM[OLJVTTLYJPHSPUVJ\SHU[
Z[YHPU0UVJ\SH[PVU^PSSOLSWV]LYJVTLZ\IVW[PTHSZ`TIPVZLZ
PUZOVY[[LYTWHZ[\YLZ
4PSKS`HJPKPJZVPSZW/[V^OLYL[OLTVYLHJPK
[VSLYHU[ZWLJPLZUHTLS`I\YYT\YL_HUKZWOLYLTLKPJHYL
NYV^UVM[LUJVU[HPUPUZ\MMPJPLU[YOPaVIPHMVYNVVKUVK\SH[PVU
H[LZ[HISPZOTLU[
FIGURE 7.8 Well-nodulated medic plants grown in greenhouse (left) and field (right).
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
;OLKP]LYZLTLKPJZWLJPLZPU[OPZPUVJ\SH[PVUNYV\WHYL
NYV^UPU[OLTLKP\T[VSV^YHPUMHSSJYVWWPUNYLNPVUZ^OLYL
ZVPSZHYLUL\[YHS[VHSRHSPULHUKUV[Z\IQLJ[[V^H[LYSVNNPUN
;OL`OH]LILLUNYV^UL_[LUZP]LS`ZPUJL[OL ZHUK
[OLYLMVYL[OLPYYOPaVIPHHYLHSZV^PKLS`KPZ[YPI\[LK
7.10 BISERRULA
inoculation fact sheet
Biserrula (special)
Strain: WSM1497
Biserrula pelecinus
Mesorhizobium spp.
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
(YLSH[P]LS`UL^HUU\HSWHZ[\YLSLN\TL^P[O[OLMPYZ[
J\S[P]HY*HZIHOYLNPZ[LYLKPU0[PZWYLZLU[S`NYV^UVU
HIV\[OLJ[HYLZTHPUS`PUTP_LKMHYTPUNHYLHZ
(WWYV_PTH[LS` WLYJLU[VMWSHU[PUNZVJJ\YPU>(
Inoculation method
;OL[^VJVTTVUTL[OVKZVMPUVJ\SH[PVUHYLWLH[ZS\YY`
SPTLWLSSL[LKZLLKVYZLLKZV^U^P[ONYHU\SHYPUVJ\SHU[
0UJYLHZLKPUVJ\SH[PVUYH[LZHIV]LYLJVTTLUKLKYH[LZ
VMVULNWHJRL[VMPUVJ\SHU[MVYRNZLLKHYL
YLJVTTLUKLK
Key considerations
)LJH\ZLIPZLYY\SHHUKP[ZYOPaVIPHHYLYLSH[P]LS`UL^[V
(\Z[YHSPHUHNYPJ\S[\YLP[PZLZZLU[PHS[VPUVJ\SH[LPM[OLSLN\TL
OHZUV[ILLUYLJLU[S`NYV^UPU[OLWHKKVJR)PZLYY\SH
HUK[OLPYHZZVJPH[LKYOPaVIPHHYL]LY`ZWLJPMPJ;OLWSHU[
KVLZUV[UVK\SH[L^P[O[OLYOPaVIPHHZZVJPH[LK^P[OV[OLY
PUKPNLUV\ZVYJ\S[P]H[LKSLN\TLZ
;OLPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPU>:4 WLYZPZ[ZPUSV^W/ZVPSZ
IHZLKVUVIZLY]H[PVUZVMNVVKUVK\SH[PVUVUYLNLULYH[PUN
WSHU[ZMP]L`LHYZHM[LYPU[YVK\J[PVUVM[OLPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPU
Nodulation
([SLHZ[MP]LSHYNL%TTHUKZTHSSUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[
HM[LYLPNO[^LLR»ZNYV^[OPUKPJH[LZNVVKUVK\SH[PVUVM
IPZLYY\SHZLL-PN\YL Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown biserrula
62
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
near top of root system.
฀฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
฀
history (past two years) of host crop with good nodulation.
FIGURE 7.9 Well-nodulated biserrula.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
7.11 LOTUS
inoculation fact sheet
Lotus (group D)
63
FIGURE 7.10 Example of well-nodulated lotus plant.
Strain: CC82
Strain: SU343 (Special)
Lotus pedunculatus (syn uliginosus
Lotus corniculatus
Mesorhizobium spp.
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
Inoculation method
0UVJ\SH[PVUPZTVZ[S`KVUL^P[O[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVMHZS\YY`
VMWLH[MVSSV^LKI`WLSSL[PUN^P[OMPULSPTLVYV[OLYZ\P[HISL
WYVK\J[6ULWHJRL[VMWLH[PUVJ\SHU[N^PSSPUVJ\SH[L
RNZLLK-YLLaLKYPLKWYVK\J[ZHYLH]HPSHISL
Key considerations
(KPMMLYLU[PUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPUPZWYV]PKLKMVYLHJOZWLJPLZVM
SV[\ZYLJVNUPZPUN[OH[[OL`OH]LKPMMLYLU[YOPaVIPHSULLKZ
3V[\ZWLK\UJ\SH[\ZPZWHY[PJ\SHYS`ZWLJPMPJPUP[ZYOPaVIPHS
ULLK;OL[^VPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPUZZOV\SKUV[ILPU[LYJOHUNLK
;OLYOPaVIPHOH]LTVKLYH[L[VSLYHUJLVMZVPSHJPKP[`
Nodulation
,_WLJ[LKUVK\SH[PVUHM[LYLPNO[[V^LLRZPZJVUZPKLYLK[V
ILTVYL[OHUWPURUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[ZLL-PN\YL
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown lotus
HIGH
฀฀
฀
฀
฀
MODERATE
฀฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
nodulation near top of root system.
LOW
฀฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
years) of lotus with good nodulation.
฀
฀
฀
฀
฀
*Good nodulation of lotus at eight weeks after planting is considered to be more than 15 pink nodules
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
;OL\ZLVM[OLZLWLYLUUPHSWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZPZSHYNLS`
YLZ[YPJ[LK[VWLYTHULU[WHZ[\YLZPU[OLTLKP\T[VOPNO
YHPUMHSSKPZ[YPJ[ZVMLHZ[LYU(\Z[YHSPHHUK[OLPYYOPaVIPH^PSS
ILZPTPSHYS`YLZ[YPJ[LKPU[OLPYKPZ[YPI\[PVU(S[OV\NO[OLYL
HYLZVTLUH[\YHSPZLKZWLJPLZVMSV[\Z[OL`VJJ\YPUSV^
U\TILYZHUKHYL\USPRLS`[VTHPU[HPUYOPaVIPHPUZ\MMPJPLU[
U\TILY[VULNH[L[OLULLKMVYPUVJ\SH[PVU
7.12 LUCERNE, MELILOTUS (albus),
STRAND and DISC MEDICS
inoculation fact sheet
Lucerne, Melilotus (albus)
Strain: RRI128 (group AL)
Key considerations
0UVJ\SH[PVUPZHS^H`ZYLJVTTLUKLKMVYS\JLYULILJH\ZL
LZ[HISPZOTLU[VMNVVKWSHU[KLUZP[`H[ZV^PUNPZJYP[PJHS
Sinorhizobium meliloti
Medicago sativa,
[VSVUN[LYTWYVK\J[PVUHUKJHUUV[ILYLJV]LYLKPM
Medicago littoralis
JVTWYVTPZLKUVK\SH[PVUSLHKZ[VWVVYLZ[HISPZOTLU[
Medicago tornata
Melilotus albus
4VZ[S\JLYULZLLKPZZVSKWYLPUVJ\SH[LK:LLKZOV\SK
UV[IL\ZLK^OLYL[OLWLYPVKZPUJLPUVJ\SH[PVUL_JLLKZ
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
ZP_TVU[OZL]LUPMP[OHZILLUZ[VYLK\UKLYJVVSKY`
JVUKP[PVUZ:LLK[OH[L_JLLKZ[OPZL_WPY`WLYPVKZOV\SKIL
(IV\[OLJ[HYLZVMS\JLYULHYLZV^UHUU\HSS`^P[O
YLPUVJ\SH[LK
Z[HUKZWLYZPZ[PUNVU[OYLL[VMP]LTPSSPVUOLJ[HYLZ0[PZTVZ[
;OLS\JLYULHUKTLKPJZ`TIPVZLZHYL]LY`ZLUZP[P]L
^PKLS`NYV^UPU5:>HUKSLHZ[NYV^UPU>(^OLYLZ\TTLY
[VSV^W/*VH[PUN[OLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLK^P[OMPULSPTLPZ
YHPUMHSSPZZJHYJL
)`JVTWHYPZVU[OLHYLHZV^UHUU\HSS`[VZ[YHUKHUKKPZJ HK]PZHISL[VWYV]PKLWYV[LJ[PVUMYVTHJPKPJMLY[PSPZLYZHUKHPK
LZ[HISPZOTLU[PUHJPKZVPSZ
TLKPJPZSLZZ[OHUOLJ[HYLZ/V^L]LYLZ[HISPZOLK
>OLYLZVPSW/PZSLZZ[OHUZVPSZ^PSSVM[LUJVU[HPUUV
WHZ[\YLZVMZ[YHUKTLKPJWLYZPZ[V]LY^PKLHYLHZVM:(»Z
Z\P[HISLYOPaVIPHHUK^PSSILOPNOS`YLZWVUZP]L[VPUVJ\SH[PVU
,`YL7LUPUZ\SHHUK[OL4HSSLLYLNPVUIVYKLYPUN:(HUK
;OLNYV\W(4PUVJ\SHU[ZOV\SKUV[IL\ZLKHZ
=PJ[VYPH4LKPJZV^PUNZHYLNLULYHSS`HPTLKH[YLUV]H[PVUVM
HZ\IZ[P[\[LMVY(3ILJH\ZL[OLPUVJ\SHU[(4Z[YHPU
WHZ[\YLZPU[OLZLHYLHZ^OPJOZ\WWVY[SHYNLWVW\SH[PVUZVM
>:4PZSLZZLMMLJ[P]LH[MP_PUNUP[YVNLU^P[OS\JLYUL
YOPaVIPH^OPJOHYLHISL[VUVK\SH[LIV[OTLKPJHUKS\JLYUL
Z[YHUKHUKKPZJTLKPJ
3\JLYULPZHSZVVM[LUZV^UPUWLYTHULU[WHZ[\YLHYLHZ
^OLYLZV^UHUKUH[\YHSPZLKTLKPJZKVUV[JVTTVUS`
VJJ\Y:VPSZPU[OLZLHYLHZHYL\USPRLS`[VZ\WWVY[Z\P[HISL
Nodulation
YOPaVIPHMVYS\JLYUL
@V\UNS\JLYULWSHU[ZZOV\SKOH]LH[SLHZ[MP]LWPURUVK\SLZ
WLYWSHU[H[LPNO[[V^LLRZHM[LYZV^PUN[V
UVK\SLZHYLPKLHSH[[OPZ[PTL
Inoculation method
-VYTH[\YLS\JLYULWSHU[Z^OLYL[HWYVV[KL]LSVWTLU[
7LH[NYHU\SLHUKMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZ
OHZVJJ\YYLKUVK\SLZTH`ILYLZ[YPJ[LK[V[OLMPULYSH[LYHS
HYLH]HPSHISL4VZ[ZLLKZVSK[OYV\NOYL[HPSV\[SL[ZPZ
YVV[ZHUK[VHKLW[OVMJTPU[OLZVPS5VK\SLZVUTH[\YL
WYLPUVJ\SH[LK
Strand and disc medic
64
FIGURE 7.11 Well-nodulated lucerne grown in (A) greenhouse and (B) field; and (C) strand medic.
A
B
C
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
65
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown lucerne, strand & disc medic
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
฀฀
฀
฀
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀฀ ฀
฀ ฀
2
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
) below 6.0.
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
Maybe associated with development of sub-optimal
populations of medic rhizobia in the soil. High number of
rhizobia on sown seed will compete with soil rhizobia at
sowing but potency will diminish after several seasons.
฀฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
฀
history of vigorous medic growth and good nodulation.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
S\JLYULHYL[OLYLMVYLLHZPS`KL[HJOLKHUKKPMMPJ\S[[VMPUK
;OLZ[YHUKTLKPJZHYLZVTL[PTLZYLMLYYLK[VHZºZO`
UVK\SH[VYZ»K\L[V[OLSV^U\TILYVMUVK\SLZJVTTVUS`
VIZLY]LKVU[OLPYYVV[Z;OPZPZHJOHYHJ[LYPZ[PJVM[OLWSHU[
HUKZV[OLWYLZLUJLVMMP]LUVK\SLZH[LPNO[[V^LLRZ
HM[LYZV^PUNPZYLNHYKLKHZZH[PZMHJ[VY`
5VK\SLZ[LUK[VYHWPKS`KL]LSVWSVILKVYJVYHS[`WL
Z[Y\J[\YLZZLL-PN\YL
7.13 PERENNIAL CLOVERS
inoculation fact sheet
Perennial clovers
Strain: TA1 (group B)
Strain: CC283b (Caucasian clover only)
Trifolium species
White, strawberry, red,
talish, alsike and caucasian
Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
>OP[LJSV]LYPZ[OLTVZ[^PKLS`ZV^USLN\TLPU[OPZNYV\W
0[PZNYV^UVUTVYL[OHUMP]LTPSSPVUOLJ[HYLZNLULYHSS`PU
OPNOYHPUMHSS%TTJVHZ[HSHYLHZHUKJVVSLY[HISLSHUK
KPZ[YPJ[ZVYLSZL^OLYL^OLYLPYYPNH[PVUPZH]HPSHISL4HU`
ZV^UHUKUVUZV^UJSV]LYZWLJPLZ[OH[OH]LUH[\YHSPZLKPU
[OLHYLHZ^OLYLWLYLUUPHSJSV]LYZHYLNYV^UOH]LHZZPZ[LK
[OL^PKLZWYLHKWYVSPMLYH[PVUVMJSV]LYUVK\SH[PUNYOPaVIPH
Inoculation method
7LH[HUKMYLLaLKYPLKPUVJ\SHU[MVYT\SH[PVUZHYLH]HPSHISL
4VZ[ZLLKZVSK[OYV\NOYL[HPSV\[SL[ZPZWYLPUVJ\SH[LK
Key considerations
;OLTHQVYP[`VM(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZ^P[OHOPZ[VY`VMNYV^PUN
HUU\HSVYWLYLUUPHSJSV]LYZJVU[HPUJSV]LYUVK\SH[PUN
YOPaVIPHI\[[OLPYLMMLJ[P]LULZZPZVM[LUZ\IVW[PTHS
0UVJ\SH[PVU^PSSOLSWV]LYJVTLZ\IVW[PTHSZ`TIPVZLZHUK
JHUILPTWVY[HU[[VLUZ\YL[OH[[OLLHYS`NYV^[OVMZTHSSLY
ZLLKLKWLYLUUPHSSLN\TLZPZ]PNVYV\Z
*SV]LYZ`TIPVZLZHYLYLHZVUHIS`[VSLYHU[VMSV^ZVPSW/
I\[PKLHSS`ZVPSW/ZOV\SKILNYLH[LY[OHU)HJRNYV\UK
ZVPSYOPaVIPHZOV\SKUV[ILYLSPLK\WVUPU]LY`SV^W/ZVPSZ
L]LU^OLYLNVVKUVK\SH[PVUPZVIZLY]LKPU[OLWHZ[\YL
ILMVYLYLUV]H[PVU+PZY\W[PVUVMIHJRNYV\UKYOPaVIPHMYVT
ZVPSTPJYVZP[LZK\YPUNWHZ[\YLYLUV]H[PVUTH`YLZ\S[PU
[OLPYKLH[OYLZ\S[PUNPU[OLZP[LILJVTPUNYLZWVUZP]L[V
PUVJ\SH[PVU
4VZ[WLYLUUPHSJSV]LYZLLKPZZVSKWYLPUVJ\SH[LK:\Y]P]HS
[PTLVMYOPaVIPHZ[YHPU;(VUZLLKPZSLZZ[OHUMVYV[OLY
YOPaVIPH:LLKZOV\SKUV[IL\ZLK^OLYL[OLWLYPVKZPUJL
PUVJ\SH[PVUL_JLLKZ[^V^LLRZL]LUPMP[OHZILLUZ[VYLK
\UKLYJVVSKY`JVUKP[PVUZ:LLK[OH[L_JLLKZ[OPZL_WPY`
WLYPVKZOV\SKILYLPUVJ\SH[LK-YLZOS`PUVJ\SH[LKZLLKPZ
WYLMLYYLK
:LLKZPaLVMTHU`WLYLUUPHSJSV]LYZPZZTHSSHUK
PUVJ\SH[PVUYH[LULLKZ[VILHKQ\Z[LKHJJVYKPUNS`-VY
^OP[LJSV]LY[OLZ[HUKHYKNWHJRL[VMWLH[PUVJ\SHU[PZ
YLJVTTLUKLKMVY[OLPUVJ\SH[PVUVMRNVMZLLK
;OLNYV\W*PUVJ\SHU[>:4MVYHUU\HSJSV]LYZ
ZOV\SKUV[IL\ZLKHZHZ\IZ[P[\[LMVY[OLNYV\W)PUVJ\SHU[
;(5P[YVNLUMP_H[PVUI`[OLWLYLUUPHSJSV]LYZPZZPNUPMPJHU[S`
IL[[LY^P[OZ[YHPU;(
Nodulation
@V\UNJSV]LYWSHU[ZZOV\SKOH]LH[SLHZ[WPURUVK\SLZWLY
WSHU[H[LPNO[[V^LLRZHM[LYZV^PUNZLL-PN\YL
FIGURE 7.12 Well-nodulated white clover showing an
abundance of nodules on the tap root and close to the
crown of the plants.
66
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown perennial clovers
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀฀
HIGH
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
having grown.
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
) below 5.0 and where there is tillage at
2
pasture renovation.
MODERATE
฀฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
expectation. May be associated with development of
sub-optimal populations of soil rhizobia. High numbers of
rhizobia on sown seed will compete with soil rhizobia at
sowing but potency will diminish after several seasons.
฀฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀ ฀
LOW
good clover growth and nodulation.
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
7.14 SULLA
inoculation fact sheet
Sulla (special)
Strain: WSM1592
Hedysarum coronarium
Rhizobium sullae
67
FIGURE 7.13 Well-nodulated sulla plant.
Legume use and rhizobia distribution
Inoculation method
0UVJ\SH[PVUPZTVZ[S`KVUL^P[O[OLHWWSPJH[PVUVMH
ZS\YY`VMWLH[MVSSV^LKI`WLSSL[PUN^P[OMPULSPTLVYV[OLY
Z\P[HISLWYVK\J[:LLKZVSK[OYV\NOYL[HPSV\[SL[ZTH`IL
WYLPUVJ\SH[LK
Key considerations
:\SSH[LUKZ[VILHºZO`»UVK\SH[VYHUK`V\UNZLLKSPUNZ
X\PJRS`KL]LSVWUP[YVNLUKLMPJPLUJ`Z`TW[VTZ^OLYL
UVK\SH[PVUPZPUHKLX\H[L/PNOLYYH[LZVMPUVJ\SH[PVUJHUIL
\ZLK[VLUZ\YLHKLX\H[LUVK\SH[PVU6ULWHJRL[VMWLH[
PUVJ\SHU[NZOV\SKIL\ZLK[VPUVJ\SH[LRNZLLK
0UWYLPUVJ\SH[LKZLLK[OLYOPaVIPHOH]LH]LY`ZOVY[ZOLSM
SPMLHUKZVZLLKPZILZ[ZV^UHZZVVUHZWVZZPISLHM[LY
PUVJ\SH[PVU
Nodulation
-VYZ\SSHMV\YSHYNL%TTUVK\SLZWLYWSHU[PZZH[PZMHJ[VY`
HM[LYLPNO[[V^LLRZVMWSHU[NYV^[OZLL-PN\YL
Likelihood of response to inoculation for sown sulla
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
฀฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀฀ ฀
฀ ฀
) below 6.0.
2
฀฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀
฀฀
฀ ฀ ฀
฀
฀
฀ ฀
฀ ฀ ฀ ฀
history (past two years) of sulla with good* nodulation.
* Good nodulation of sulla at eight weeks after planting is considered to be more than four large (>5mm)
pink nodules.
฀
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
:\SSHPZJVTWHYH[P]LS`UL^[V(\Z[YHSPHUHNYPJ\S[\YLOH]PUN
VUS`ILLUZV^UVUHIV\[OLJ[HYLZHUU\HSS`ZPUJL
0[PZZ\P[LK[VTVKLYH[L[VOPNOYHPUMHSSaVULZ[V
TTHUKZVPSZ^P[OW/*H*SPU[OLYHUNL[V
I\[WYLMLYZHSRHSPULZVPSZ0[PZLZZLU[PHS[VPUVJ\SH[LZ\SSHHZ
[OLPYHZZVJPH[LKYOPaVIPHHYL]LY`ZWLJPMPJHUK[OLZWLJPLZ
YHYLS`UVK\SH[LZ^P[OIHJRNYV\UKYOPaVIPHPU[OLZVPS
APPENDIX: LEGUME INOCULANT
MANUFACTURERS IN AUSTRALIA
Company:)LJRLY<UKLY^VVK(\Z[YHSPHHUK(ZPH
Address:6SK7HJPMPJ/^`:VTLYZI`5:>
Phone: Fax:
Email:PUMVH\'ILJRLY\UKLY^VVKJVT
Web:^^^ILJRLY\UKLY^VVKJVTLUOVTL
Company:5L^,KNL4PJYVIPHSZ7[`3[K
Address: .HYSHUK(]LU\L(SI\Y`5:>
Phone :
Fax:
Email:UL^LKNL'TPJYVIPHSZJVTH\
Web:^^^TPJYVIPHSZJVTH\
Company:5V]Va`TLZ)PVSVNPJHSZ(\Z[YHSPH7[`3[K
Address:3V[)\ZO»Z3HUL)LUKPNV=PJ[VYPH
Phone:
Fax:
Email:YN]'UV]Va`TLZJVT9VI=LS[O\PZ.LULYHS4HUHNLY
Web:^^^IPVHNUV]Va`TLZJVT
Company:(36:*(;LJOUVSVNPLZ7[`3[K
Address:<UP[([^LSS:[YLL[3HUKZKHSL>(
Phone:
Fax:
Email:JWVVSL'HSVZJHJVTH\*OYPZ7VVSL
Web:^^^HSVZJHJVTH\
68
INOCULATING LEGUMES: A PRACTICAL GUIDE
REFERENCES
69
)HSSHYK9(:OLWOLYK)9*OHYTHU55VK\SH[PVUHUKNYV^[OVMWHZ[\YLSLN\TLZ^P[OUH[\YHSPZLKZVPSYOPaVIPH
3\JLYUL4LKPJHNVZH[P]H3(\Z[YHSPHU1V\YUHSVM,_WLYPTLU[HS(NYPJ\S[\YL
)HSSHYK9(*OHYTHU54J0UULZ(+H]PKZVU1(:PaLZ`TIPV[PJLMMLJ[P]LULZZHUKNLUL[PJKP]LYZP[`VMMPLSKWLHYOPaVIPH
9OPaVIP\TSLN\TLPUVZHY\TI]]PJPHLWVW\SH[PVUZPU:V\[O(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZ:VPS)PVSVN`HUK)PVJOLTPZ[Y`
)YVJR^LSS1:PUVYOPaVIP\TTLSPSV[PPU(\Z[YHSPHUZVPSZ!WVW\SH[PVUZ[\KPLZVM[OLYVV[UVK\SLIHJ[LYPHMVYZWLJPLZVM
4LKPJHNVPUZVPSZVM[OL,`YL7LUPUZ\SH:V\[O(\Z[YHSPH(\Z[YHSPHU1V\YUHSVM,_WLYPTLU[HS(NYPJ\S[\YL
*OHYTHU5)HSSHYK9()\YYTLKPJ4LKPJHNVWVS`TVYWOH3ZLSLJ[PVUZMVYPTWYV]LK5MP_H[PVU^P[OUH[\YHSPZLKZVPSYOPaVIPH
:VPS)PVSVN`HUK)PVJOLTPZ[Y`
*OH[LS+37HYRLY*( :\Y]P]HSVMMPLSK¶NYV^UYOPaVIPHV]LY[OLKY`Z\TTLYWLYPVKPU>LZ[LYU(\Z[YHSPH:VPS)PVSVN`HUK
)PVJOLTPZ[Y`
+LHRLY99V\NOSL`912LUULK`093LN\TLZLLKPUVJ\SH[PVU[LJOUVSVN`¶HYL]PL^:VPS)PVSVN`HUK)PVJOLTPZ[Y`
+LHRLY99V\NOSL`912LUULK`09+LZPJJH[PVU[VSLYHUJLVMYOPaVIPH^OLUWYV[LJ[LKI`Z`U[OL[PJWVS`TLYZ
:VPS)PVSVN`HUK)PVJOLTPZ[Y` +LHRLY9/HY[SL`,.LTLSS3.*VUKP[PVUZHMMLJ[PUNZOLSMSPMLVMPUVJ\SH[LKSLN\TLZLLK(NYPJ\S[\YL
+YL^,()HSSHYK9(0TWYV]PUN5MP_H[PVUMYVT[OLWSHU[KV^U!*VTWH[PIPSP[`VM;YPMVSP\TZ\I[LYYHUL\T3J\S[P]HYZ^P[OZVPS
YOPaVIPHJHUPUMS\LUJLZ`TIPV[PJWLYMVYTHUJL7SHU[HUK:VPS
+YL^,(*OHYTHU5+PUNLTHUZL9/HSS,)HSSHYK9(:`TIPV[PJWLYMVYTHUJLVM4LKP[LYYHULHU;YPMVSP\TZWW^P[O
UH[\YHSPZLKZVPSYOPaVIPH*YVW7HZ[\YL:JPLUJL +YL^,(+LU[VU4+:HKYHZ=6)HSSHYK9((NYVUVTPJHUKLU]PYVUTLU[HSKYP]LYZVMWVW\SH[PVUZPaLHUKZ`TIPV[PJ
WLYMVYTHUJLVM9OPaVIP\TSLN\TPUVZHY\TI]]PJPHLPU4LKP[LYYHULHU[`WLLU]PYVUTLU[Z*YVW7HZ[\YL:JPLUJL
,SPHZ5 6W[PTPZPUN5VK\SH[PVUPU*OPJRWLHMVY5P[YVNLU-P_H[PVUHUK@PLSKPU[OL5VY[OLYU.YHPUZ)LS[VM5:>7O+;OLZPZ
<UP]LYZP[`VM>LZ[LYU:`KUL`WW
,]HUZ1(UL]HS\H[PVUVMWV[LU[PHS9OPaVIP\TPUVJ\SHU[Z[YHPUZ\ZLKMVYW\SZLWYVK\J[PVUPUHJPKPJZVPSZVMZV\[OLHZ[(\Z[YHSPH
(\Z[YHSPHU1V\YUHSVM,_WLYPTLU[HS(NYPJ\S[\YL
,]HUZ1-L[[LSS5(*V]LU[Y`+96»*VUUVY.,>HSZNV[[+54HOVUL`1(YTZ[YVUN,3 >OLH[YLZWVUZLZHM[LY[LTWLYH[L
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