The Microbial Aspects of Faba Bean Culture

Summary

A study of Rhizobium leguminosarum and Vicia faba was carried out to determine whether or not the microbial partner of the symbiosis is limiting plant potential under French conditions. Isolates of R. leguminosarum were obtained from each of 57 soil samples using V. faba as trap host. These isolates were used to study symbiotic response in greenhouse experiments. Most isolates formed an effective symbiosis with V. faba var Ascott. Five effective isolates were used to study effectiveness, which varied between strains and between soils. In the field, there was no significant difference in yield between inoculated and uninoculated V. faba. It was concluded that the populations of R. leguminosarum in French soils are abundant, diverse, and effective.