Abstract

Nodule occupancy by different rhizobial strains in multistrain rhizobial inoculants as tested by immunofluorescent technique varied depending upon the species of Leucaena and their" growth stages. While rhizobial strain TAL 1145 dominated the nodule occupancy during all the growth stages in L. leucocephala and L. diversifolia, TAL 582 strain was an effective strain only on 50 th day and TAL 82 was least effective in all the growth stages in both species of Leucaena, Irrespective of the rhizobial strains used in the inoculants, L. leuco- cephala produced cylindrical coralloid and large sized nodules mostly on taproot, while L. diversifolia produced small effective spherical nodules mostly on secondary roots. The rhizobial strain TAL 1145 increased the root length three to four folds when compared to control in both the species of Leucaena. Irrespective of the rhizobial strains. L. diversifolia exhibited higher nitrogenase activity than L leucocephala,

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