Contribution of symbiotic nitrogen fixation on pigeon-pea yield (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp)

Abstract

Pigeon-pea accessions were grown in a yellow-red latossol var. Laras in a greenhouse at the Instituto de Zootecnia, Nova Odessa, SP, Brazil, to evaluate their N2 fixing characteristics. Shoot dry matter weight, mass of nodules, acetylene reduction activity, dry matter N content and relative efficiency were not significantly increased by the inoculation with recommended strains of Bradyrhizobium spp. However, inoculation made shoot weight and nitrogen content (15 - 17% crude protein) comparable to the nitrogen fertilization level of 120 kg N/ha. It is concluded that the pigeon-pea can establish a Bradyrhizobium association able to provide more than 90% of nitrogen needed for its vegetative growth.