Evaluation the effect of native rhizobial treatment, animal manure and urea fertilizer on the growth of alfalfa plants in Fars province

Subject Areas : Environmental Microbiology

Mohammad Javad Nowrooz Nejad ¹ , Mohammad Kargar ² , Kavoos Ayaz Pour ³ , Mehdi Kargar ⁴ , Sareh Raeiszadeh Jahromi ⁵

1 - Department of Microbiology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran
2 - Department of Microbiology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran.
3 - Department of Agriculture, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran
4 - Department of Microbiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran
5 - Department of Microbiology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran

Received: 2009-12-16 Accepted : 2010-02-14 Published : 2010-01-01

Keywords: animal manure, Alfalfa, Rhizobium, nitrogen fixation, urea fertilizer,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Rhizobacteria are the most important microorganisms in the soil that have major role in fixing nitrogen than other soil microorganisms. The aim of this study is using native rhizobium of Fars province calcareous soil and determination the role of urea fertilizer in giving high yield and efficiency of alfalfa. Materials and Methods: First, native rhizobium is separated from alfalfa root nodules using YAM environment containing Congo red, and then it is identified with staining, and biochemical tests. This research is performed as a randomized plan and under different nutritional conditions, including fertilizer without urea, 100mg/kg urea fertilizer, 200mg/kg urea fertilizer, 1% animal manure, 3% animal manure and also under different microbial inoculations, including without bacteria, native rhizobium and standard rhizobial strain in six repeats in open air. Results: The best growth is observed in the pots treated with local rhizobium. In comparing to urea fertilizer, the pots fertilized with 3% animal manure treatments showed a better growth. The most height plants were seen in the pots fertilized with local rhizobium treatments. The best treatment to give high yield was achieved with local rhizobial strain and 3% animal manure. The most active root nodules in nitrogen fixation were seen in the plants treated with local rhizobium. Conclusion: By comparing the native and standard rhizobial strains and according to calcareous soil of Fars province and hot and dry weather of this region, it is suggested that fertilization with local rhizobial strain and animal manure can result in high yields and nitrogen fixation in the root nodules of the plant.

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