Rhizobium induced mineral uptake in peanut tissues

Abstract

Rhizobia are well known for their significant contributions to the nitrogen economy of legumes. Do Rhizobium spp. contribute to other aspects of legume nutrition? This question was investigated by treating Florunner peanuts with 8 separate strains of Rhizobia in a replicated field experiment at Beltsville, MD. Plants were grown for 140 days, harvested, cleaned, separated into plant parts, and the parts were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Al, and Na. Rhizobial strains significantly influenced mineral composition of peanut nodules and seeds. In addition to fixing N₂ efficiently, superior rhizobial strains perhaps may enhance the uptake of other minerals to balance the nutritional needs of the host.

Key words:

• Arachis hypogaea L.
• nodules
• seeds
• yields