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Enhancing crop legume N2 fixation through selection and breeding

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Book cover Management of Biological Nitrogen Fixation for the Development of More Productive and Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((BSPS))

Abstract

Legume N2 fixation is variable, but nonetheless is a valuable process in world agriculture. There is great potential to increase the contribution by the crop legumes to the world’s supply of soil N. This will be achieved by (i) increasing the area of legumes sown by farmers; (ii) improved management of the crops in order that the major determinants of productivity, e.g. land area, water availability, are converted to harvested product with maximum efficiency; and (iii) genetic modification of the commonly-grown species to ensure high dependence of the legume crop on N2 fixation at all levels of productivity. Currently-used methods for measuring N2 fixation and for assessing heritability and repeatability of N2 fixation in breeding and selection programs are reviewed. Results from research programs to define genetic variation in N2 fixation and to enhance N2 fixation through selection and breeding are presented with particular emphasis on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and soybean (Glycine max).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NSW Agriculture, Agricultural Research Centre, R.M.B. 944, Tamworth, NSW, Australia, 2340

    D. F. Herridge & S. K. A. Danso

  2. Joint FAO/IAEA Division, P.O. Box 100, A-1400, Vienna, Austria

    D. F. Herridge & S. K. A. Danso

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  1. D. F. Herridge
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J. K. Ladha M. B. Peoples

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Herridge, D.F., Danso, S.K.A. (1995). Enhancing crop legume N2 fixation through selection and breeding. In: Ladha, J.K., Peoples, M.B. (eds) Management of Biological Nitrogen Fixation for the Development of More Productive and Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0055-7_3

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