Rhizobium
Each legume species has a specific rhizobium bacteria strain which, through attaching itself to plants roots, maximises the ability of legumes to fix soil nitrogen and hence drive productivity of the whole pasture.
Woolgrowers rely on nitrogen-fixing legumes such as lucerne, subterranean clover and medics to increase pasture productivity and wool quality.
A legume pasture’s ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen is totally dependant on the seed being inoculated with rhizobium bacteria at the time of sowing. The rhizobia invade the plants root system to create a symbiotic relationship between the plant and bacteria.
Each legume species has its own specific rhizobium strain which maximises the plants ability to fix nitrogen once attached to the roots.
As a result, legume pastures are high in protein, easily digestible and very fertile for the soil via the fixing of atmospheric nitrogen.
The increased soil fertility benefits both the grass and legume species that are present in the pasture as well as the subsequent crop phases in a mixed farming system.
The National Rhizobium Program screens and selects specific rhizobia for each new annual or perennial legume species that is released in Australia. It is funded by AWI and GRDC.
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Contact
Ms Lu Hogan
Program Manager Sustainable Production Systems
Tel: +61 2 8295 3100
Contact via email