Australia
January 23, 2013

Source: GRDC

Inoculating legumes with rhizobia can achieve substantial increases in legume nodulation, grain and biomass yield, nitrogen fixation and post-crop soil nitrate levels.

Key Points

• The benefits of inoculating legumes with rhizobia (soil bacteria that fix nitrogen) have been recognised in Australian agriculture for more than 100 years.
• Inoculation can result in increases in legume nodulation, grain and biomass yield, nitrogen fixation and post-crop soil nitrate levels.
• These gains are highest when the legume is grown in nil-rhizobia or low-rhizobia soil.
• Benefits can be marginal in soils already containing high numbers of compatible rhizobia.
• Legumes have specific requirements for rhizobia: there are 39 different inoculant groups produced commercially in Australia.
• Formulations for inoculants include peat, clay and peat granules, freeze-dried cultures and liquid cultures.
• Inoculant quality is underpinned by commercial in-house testing and the National Code of Practice and Quality Trademark (Green Tick Logo).

Download the fact sheet

GRDC Project Code UMU00032

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: January 23, 2013