Maximizing symbiotic fixation of nitrogen by grain and forage legumes of the tropics : Niftal project, annual report

NifTAL"s Rhizobium culture collection now contains 1,000 strains which are accessible to tropical researchers as pure cultures or peat-based inoculants. Antisera, also available on request, have been developed for many strains. A small peat-based inoculant production plant is now in operation. The survival potential of bacteria in peat and in the soil/root environment has been investigated and efforts have been made to simplify inoculant production, improve field inoculation practices, and test for selection of effective strains. Other research has involved Rhizobium tolerance of soil salinity, acidity, and phosphate deficiency and the benefits of legumes to mixed or sequential cropping systems for cereal crops and pasture systems. The project has provided graduate training at the University of Hawaii, on-the-job intern training at the NifTAL laboratory, and formal 6-week intensive courses in Rhizobium technology. NifTAL has also developed a network of 95 legume trial inoculation cooperators in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia and it has broadened its information dissemination efforts. More than 500 documents have been added to the NifTAL collection, the mailing list has increased by 50%, and numerous publications have been generated by NifTAL"s network and training activities.