Evaluation of the composting sheath of peanut pods as a local carrier for Rhizobium inoculants production

ABSTRACT

The quality of the compositing sheath of peanut pods as a rhizobial carrier compared to granular peat was determined by the plate count methods and the plant infection test [MPN] using Rhizobium japonica strain CB 1809. The effectiveness of rhizobial inoculation of soybean cv. Williams was carried out by Leonard jar technique in a controlled growth chamber. The plate count method, gave significantly higher numbers of rhizobia than the MPN. In general, the granular inoculum contained more rhizobia than the peanut sheath inoculum. The addition of some nutrients at the beginning of the compositing process apparently failed to enhance multiplication of the tested rhizobial strain within the peanut sheath carrier. Data of the N2 fixation efficiency of the nodular plants showed that although the granular peat is still the overall best carrier for rhizobia, the compositing sheath of peanut pods is satisfactory in supporting rhizobial multiplication and survival