Competition between effective and less effective strains of Bradyrhizobium spp. for nodulation on Vigna radiata

Abstract.

Local and exotic cowpea bradyrhizobial strains were examined for their effectiveness and competitive ability on the cultivated Vigna radiata (mungbean) variety NM-51. The seven most efficient N₂-fixing strains were then evaluated for their competitiveness against two less effective strains in a pair-wise inoculation experiment. Nodule occupancy was determined using fluorescent antibodies. The most efficient strain, Vr-2, could not compete with less effective strains for nodule occupancy, so the biomass and N yield were low. Bradyrhizobial strain M-55 had good competitive ability, as it occupied almost 50% of nodules in comparison with less effective strains and improved the biomass and N yield of mungbean significantly. Competitiveness/compatibility is one of the vital parameters for the selection of inocula strains, therefore, M-55, K-92 and Vr-6 are recommended as good inocula of commercial quality because of their competitiveness along with their highly efficient N₂-fixation.