Abstract:

Nitrogen (N) is a key component of all proteins and nucleic acids and hence all protoplasm, the substance from which all living things are made. It is therefore required in relatively large amounts by all living things. many millions 01 years and have become specialized in their relationships. For instance, rhizobia that form nodules on common beans do not form nodules on soya beans groundnut; or field peas. Similarly rhizobia that form nodules on groundnuts do not form nodules on common beans, soya beans or field peas. Furthermore even the rhizobia that nodulate one particular legume say soya beans are not all equally good. Some strains are good N fixers while others are poor fixers. So to maximize BNF, it is recommended that farmers inoculate legume seeds with the most effective strain. Rhizobium inoculants are made using superior strains of rhizobia that are selected after rigorous testing for their ability to fix large amounts of nitrogen. So they are likely to give good results if they are well handled and applied rollowing instructions given on the packet.