Beltsville Rhizobium Study and Collection Center; annual progress report, 1981

Department of Agriculture Rhizobium Study and Collection Center. Four isolates from Leucaena leucocephala and 66 isolates of R. japonicum were added to the collection and 764 cultures were distributed in response to 117 requests, including 46 requests from 25 foreign countries. Several strains of R. japonicum were examined for effectiveness and relative efficiency and symbiotic evaluation was completed on all R. meliloti accessions, about half of the R. trifolii isolates, and on other miscellaneous rhizobia. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the freeze-drying system. Field trials were conducted on lima bean and soybean. A researcher from Mali was trained in serological techniques, effectiveness evaluation, strain competition, and field investigation; scientists from Tanzania and China completed their studies; and a Center scientist helped analyze the feasibility of establishing a Microbiological Resource Center in Dakar, Senegal.