Rhizobium leguminosarum
Rhizobium leguminosarum is a species of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that forms symbiotic relationships with leguminous plants, particularly peas, beans, and clover. These bacteria colonize the plant's…
Strength
1 x 10⁸ CFU per gram / 1 x 10⁹ CFU per gram
Benefits
Phosphorus Solubilization
Rhizobium leguminosarum increases phosphorus availability by converting insoluble phosphates intoc plant accessible forms. This enhances nutrient absorption, promotes vigorous plant growth, and elevates crop productivity.
Stress Tolerance
Rhizobium leguminosarum strengthens plant resilience against various abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, and nutrient scarcity, thereby enhancing crop performance under challenging environmental conditions.
Enhanced Symbiosis
Rhizobium leguminosarum establishes efficient symbiotic associations with diverse leguminous plants, significantly improving nitrogen fixation, stimulating robust root development, and maximizing overall crop yields.
Disease Resistance
By enhancing the health and microbial balance of the rhizosphere, Rhizobium leguminosarum actively contributes to disease suppression. It aids plants in resisting soil-borne pathogens, significantly reducing the prevalence of plant diseases.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions on Rhizobium leguminosarum
1. What is Rhizobium leguminosarum?
Rhizobium leguminosarum is a species of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that forms symbiotic relationships with leguminous plants, such as peas, beans, lentils, and clover. It colonizes plant root nodules, converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is readily usable by plants.
2. How does Rhizobium leguminosarum benefit plant growth?
Rhizobium leguminosarum significantly enhances plant growth by:
Providing nitrogen directly to plants, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Increasing overall plant biomass and yield, especially in nitrogen-deficient soils.
Producing growth-promoting substances like indole acetic acid (IAA), which further stimulate root development and enhance nutrient uptake.
3. What role does Rhizobium leguminosarum play in soil health?
Rhizobium leguminosarum contributes to soil health by:
Improving soil fertility through the natural fixation of nitrogen.
Enhancing soil structure by increasing root biomass and soil organic matter content.
Supporting the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, thereby promoting a healthy soil ecosystem.
4. What ecological values does Rhizobium leguminosarum offer?
Ecological benefits include:
Reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, thus lowering agricultural chemical runoff and groundwater contamination.
Promoting biodiversity by fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Contributing to carbon sequestration by increasing soil organic matter.
5. Can Rhizobium leguminosarum protect plants against diseases or stress conditions?
Yes, Rhizobium leguminosarum:
Enhances plant resilience to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity by improving root architecture and nutrient uptake.
Indirectly contributes to plant disease resistance by improving plant vigor and stimulating defense mechanisms against pathogens.
6. How can Rhizobium leguminosarum be effectively utilized in agriculture?
Effective utilization strategies include:
Seed inoculation with commercial Rhizobium leguminosarum formulations prior to planting legumes.
Integrating crop rotation practices that include leguminous plants to maintain soil nitrogen levels naturally.
Combining Rhizobium inoculation with other plant-growth-promoting microbes for synergistic effects.
Scientific References
Content coming soon!
Mode of Action
Mode of Action: Rhizobium leguminosarum
Rhizobium leguminosarum employs a sophisticated mechanism of action to establish symbiotic relationships with leguminous plants, significantly contributing to plant growth and soil fertility. The process begins with the exchange of chemical signals between the plant roots and the bacteria. Flavonoids secreted by legume roots attract Rhizobium bacteria, which in response, produce Nod factors (lipochitooligosaccharides) crucial for initiating symbiosis.
Upon recognition of Nod factors, root hairs begin to curl, forming structures that encapsulate the bacteria. These bacteria penetrate the root hair and multiply, triggering the formation of infection threads through which Rhizobium migrates towards the root cortex. Concurrently, cortical cells undergo rapid division, resulting in the formation of specialized structures called nodules.
Schematic representation of establishment of legume-rhizobia symbiosis and biological
nitrogen-fixation process in nodules
Within these nodules, Rhizobium differentiates into a specialized form known as bacteroids. These bacteroids utilize the enzyme nitrogenase to catalyze the conversion of inert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃), a form of nitrogen readily assimilated by the plant.
This nitrogen fixation is energy-intensive, requiring significant ATP and electrons derived from plant photosynthesis.
The enzyme nitrogenase is highly sensitive to oxygen; hence, the nodule environment is adapted to maintain low oxygen concentrations through the plant-derived protein leghemoglobin, facilitating optimal nitrogenase function.
Additionally, Rhizobium leguminosarum is equipped with protective antioxidant systems such as glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), which mitigates oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during high metabolic activity within nodules.
This antioxidant activity is essential for efficient nodulation and nitrogen fixation, as oxidative stress can significantly impair bacterial survival and nodule functionality.
Thus, Rhizobium leguminosarum’s mode of action encompasses chemical signaling, physical interaction with the host plant, differentiation into nitrogen-fixing bacteroids, maintenance of an oxygen-regulated microenvironment, and robust antioxidant protection. Collectively, these mechanisms underscore the bacterium’s critical role in sustainable agriculture through improved crop nutrition and soil health.
Additional Info
Recommended Crops: Cereals, Millets, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibre Crops, Sugar Crops, Forage Crops, Plantation crops, Vegetables, Fruits, Spices, Flowers, Medicinal crops, Aromatic Crops, Orchards, and Ornamentals.
Compatibility: Compatible with Bio Pesticides, Bio Fertilizers, and Plant growth hormones but not with chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
Shelf Life: Stable within 1 year from the date of manufacturing.
Packing: We offer tailor-made packaging as per customers' requirements.
Dosage & Application
Seed Coating/Seed Treatment: 1 kg of seeds will be coated with a slurry mixture of 10 g of Rhizobium Leguminosarum and 10 g of crude sugar in sufficient water. The coated seeds will then be dried in shade and sown or broadcast in the field.
Seedling Treatment: Dip the seedlings into the mixture of 100 grams Rhizobium Leguminosarum and a sufficient amount of water.
Soil Treatment: Mix 3-5 kg per acre of Rhizobium Leguminosarum with organic manure/organic fertilizers. Incorporate the mixture and spread it into the field at the time of planting/sowing.
Irrigation: Mix 3 kg per acre of Rhizobium Leguminosarum in a sufficient amount of water and run it into the drip lines.
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