Summary
To investigate the effect of single versus dual inoculation of peas (Pisum sativum L.) with Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae and Penicillium bilaji (a soil fungi capable of solubilizing soil P) on N2 fixation an experiment was carried out under controlled conditions. A sandy loam soil was selected which contained low levels of available N and P. P fertilizer [Ca(H2PO4)2] and P. bilaji significantly increased dry matter production. Peas inoculated with R. leguminosarum showed only a small increase in dry matter, but the additional application of P significantly increased the yield. The total N accumulation was highly dependent on the presence of R. leguminosarum. Using the δ15N method for estimating N2 fixation, the highest level of N2-fixing activity was observed in peas inoculated with R. leguminosarum and fertilized with inorganic P. Dual inoculation of peas with P. bilaji and R. leguminosarum significantly decreased the amount of N2 fixed. Total P uptake was solely dependent on the P fertilizer.
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Downey, J., van Kessel, C. Dual inoculation of Pisum sativum with Rhizobium leguminosarum and Penicillium bilaji . Biol Fertil Soils 10, 194–196 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336135
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336135