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SCREENING OF SESBANIA FOR TOLERANCE TO ALUMINUM TOXICITY AND SYMBIOTIC EFFECTIVENESS WITH ACID TOLERANT RHIZOBIA STRAINS IN ACID SOIL IN WESTERN KENYA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2009

S. O. GUDU
Affiliation:
Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P. O. Box 1125–30100, Eldoret, Kenya
P. O. KISINYO*
Affiliation:
Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P. O. Box 1125–30100, Eldoret, Kenya
E. T. MAKATIANI
Affiliation:
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), P. O. Box 20412, Nairobi, Kenya
D. W ODEE
Affiliation:
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), P. O. Box 20412, Nairobi, Kenya
J. F. O. ESEGU
Affiliation:
Forestry Research Institute (FORRI), P. O. Box 1752, Kampala, Uganda
S. A. O. SHAMCHAMA
Affiliation:
Sokoine University of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, P. O. Box 3010 Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
C. O. OTHIENO
Affiliation:
Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P. O. Box 1125–30100, Eldoret, Kenya
J. R. OKALEBO
Affiliation:
Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P. O. Box 1125–30100, Eldoret, Kenya
J. R. OSIYO
Affiliation:
Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P. O. Box 1125–30100, Eldoret, Kenya
J. O. OWUOCHE
Affiliation:
Moi University, Chepkoilel Campus, P. O. Box 1125–30100, Eldoret, Kenya
*
††Corresponding author: [email protected]

Summary

Nitrogen fixation by leguminous trees such as sesbania (Sesbania sesban) in acid soils is limited by aluminium (Al) toxicity and phosphorus (P) deficiency. We screened 214 East African sesbania accessions for Al toxicity tolerance, P use efficiency and sesbania–rhizobia symbiosis. Aluminium toxicity tolerance or sensitivity was measured by the relative root elongation index. Highly Al tolerant and sensitive accessions were screened for P use efficiency. Highly P use efficient and Al sensitive accessions were assessed for symbiotic effectiveness with acid tolerant rhizobia. Eighty-eight per cent of the accessions were Al toxicity tolerant. High Al levels reduced shoot P content by 88% and total dry matter (TDM) by 83%. P addition increased shoot P content and TDM. Rhizobia inoculation increased nodulation by 28–82%, shoot N content by 28–45% and TDM by 15–34% in the low rhizobia density acid soil of Bumala, Kenya. P use efficient accessions had higher nodulation, shoot N content and TDM in the ranges 32–70, 20–52 and 22–36%, respectively, compared to sensitive genotypes. The combination of sesbania accession (SSUG10) and rhizobia strain ASs48 was superior in shoot N accumulation. Inoculation of P use efficient germplasm with acid tolerant rhizobia can improve N-rich biomass accumulation suitable for N replenishment in acid soils.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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