Nodulation and Fixed Atmospheric Nitrogen of Some Local Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) Cultivars Grown in a Coastal Savannah Environment
Affiliation(s)
1 Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, Ghana. 2 School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 3 International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
1 Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, Ghana. 2 School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 3 International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
ABSTRACT
Legumes, in symbiotic association with Rhizobia, are able to fix atmospheric N. Six local lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) cultivars were grown under rainfed conditions in a coastal savannah environment. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the nodulation and fixed atmospheric N levels of the six local lima bean cultivars using both the 15N isotope dilution method and N difference method (NDM). The linear relationship between fixed atmospheric N estimated using the 15N isotope dilution method and NDM, was also assessed. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates with seven treatments, comprising six lima bean cultivars (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6) and the early maturing local maize variety, “Doke”, as the reference crop. Total, effective nodules (EN) and non-effective nodules (NEN) were determined on 42 and 56 days after planting (DAP). The 15N isotopic dilution method and NDM were used to quantify the fixed atmospheric N by the lima bean cultivars on 60 DAP. Effective root nodules per plant (EN) on 56 DAP ranged from 0.71 to 1.22, with the lima bean cultivar B4 having the highest value and cultivars B2 and B5 having the lowest value of EN, respectively. Similarly on 56 DAP, the lima bean cultivar B4 had the highest NEN value while cultivars B1, B2 and B5 had the lowest NEN value of 0.71 per plant. The mean fixed atmospheric N was 8.98 kg·ha-1, based on the 15N isotope dilution method, which was lower than 10.13 kg·ha-1 of fixed atmospheric N determined using NDM. The linear relationship between fixed atmospheric N estimated using the 15N isotope dilution method and that estimated using the NDM, was positive but of average quality as the R2 value was 0.56. Consequently, the linear model obtained from this relationship is moderate as 56% of the data used for the linear regression analysis were accounted for by the linear regression model developed. However, NDM could be used for fast screening to select lima bean cultivars for a more detailed study to identify cultivars with promising fixed atmospheric N capabilities. Generally, results of the study provide opportunities for designing breeding and other agronomic programmes for enhancing the productivity and N-fixing capacity of local lima beans in the coastal savannah environment.
Legumes, in symbiotic association with Rhizobia, are able to fix atmospheric N. Six local lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) cultivars were grown under rainfed conditions in a coastal savannah environment. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the nodulation and fixed atmospheric N levels of the six local lima bean cultivars using both the 15N isotope dilution method and N difference method (NDM). The linear relationship between fixed atmospheric N estimated using the 15N isotope dilution method and NDM, was also assessed. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replicates with seven treatments, comprising six lima bean cultivars (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6) and the early maturing local maize variety, “Doke”, as the reference crop. Total, effective nodules (EN) and non-effective nodules (NEN) were determined on 42 and 56 days after planting (DAP). The 15N isotopic dilution method and NDM were used to quantify the fixed atmospheric N by the lima bean cultivars on 60 DAP. Effective root nodules per plant (EN) on 56 DAP ranged from 0.71 to 1.22, with the lima bean cultivar B4 having the highest value and cultivars B2 and B5 having the lowest value of EN, respectively. Similarly on 56 DAP, the lima bean cultivar B4 had the highest NEN value while cultivars B1, B2 and B5 had the lowest NEN value of 0.71 per plant. The mean fixed atmospheric N was 8.98 kg·ha-1, based on the 15N isotope dilution method, which was lower than 10.13 kg·ha-1 of fixed atmospheric N determined using NDM. The linear relationship between fixed atmospheric N estimated using the 15N isotope dilution method and that estimated using the NDM, was positive but of average quality as the R2 value was 0.56. Consequently, the linear model obtained from this relationship is moderate as 56% of the data used for the linear regression analysis were accounted for by the linear regression model developed. However, NDM could be used for fast screening to select lima bean cultivars for a more detailed study to identify cultivars with promising fixed atmospheric N capabilities. Generally, results of the study provide opportunities for designing breeding and other agronomic programmes for enhancing the productivity and N-fixing capacity of local lima beans in the coastal savannah environment.
KEYWORDS
Lima Bean, Nodulation, Fixed Atmospheric Nitrogen, 15N Isotopic Dilution and N Difference Methods
Lima Bean, Nodulation, Fixed Atmospheric Nitrogen, 15N Isotopic Dilution and N Difference Methods
Cite this paper
Asare, D. , Anthonio, C. , Heng, L. and Ofori Ayeh, E. (2015) Nodulation and Fixed Atmospheric Nitrogen of Some Local Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) Cultivars Grown in a Coastal Savannah Environment. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 925-933. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.69089.
Asare, D. , Anthonio, C. , Heng, L. and Ofori Ayeh, E. (2015) Nodulation and Fixed Atmospheric Nitrogen of Some Local Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) Cultivars Grown in a Coastal Savannah Environment. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 925-933. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.69089.
References
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http://www.feedipedia.org/node/267 [3] Ajayi, F.T., Akande, S.R., Adegbite, A.A. and Idowu, B. (2009) Assessment of Seven Under-Utilized Grain Legume Foliages as Feed Sources for Ruminants. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 21.
http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd21/9/ajay21149.htm [4] Akande, S.R. and Balogun, M.O. (2007) Evaluation and Heritability Studies of Local Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) Cultivars from Southwest Nigeria. Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria, 22-28. [5] Doku, E.V. (1977) Grain Legume Production in Ghana. In: Doku, E.V., Ed., Proceedings of the Joint University of Ghana Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Symposium on Grain Legumes in Ghana, The Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana, Legon, 1-7. [6] Ibeawuchi, I.I. and Ofoh, M.C. (2000) Productivity of Maize/Cassava/Food Legume Mixtures in South Eastern Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture & Rural Development, 1, 1-9.
http://www.sciencepub.org/newyork [7] Aboagye, L.M., Owusu, S.K. and Badger, N.G. (2007) Evaluation of Some Lima (Phaseolus lunatus) Germplasm Collected from Ghana. Ghana Journal of Horticulture, 6, 17-22. [8] Belk, C. and Borden, V. (2007) Biology: Science for Life with Physiology. 2nd Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, 590-591. [9] Hardarson, G., Zapata, F. and Danso, K.S.A. (1987) Effect of Plant Genotype and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation by Soybean Cultivars. Plant and Soil, 82, 397-405.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02184277 [10] Morris, M.L., Tripp, R. and Dankyi, A.A. (1999) Adoption and Impacts of Improvedmaize Production Technology: A Case Study of the Ghana Grains Development Project. Economics Program Paper 99-01, CIMMYT, Mexico D.F., 3-41. [11] FAO/UNESCO (1994) Soil Map of the World, Revised Legend. World Resources Report 60, FAO, Rome, 146. [12] Schulz, S., Engel, M., Fischer, D., Buegger, F., Elmer, M., Welzl, G. and Schloter, M. (2012) Diversity Pattern of Nitrogen Fixing Microbes in Nodules of Trifolium arvense (L.) at Different Initial Stages of Ecosystem Development. Biogeosciences, 10, 1183-1192. [13] Lindemann, W.C. and Glover, C.R. (2003) Guide A-129. Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, 1-3. [14] IAEA (2001) Use of Isotope and Radiation Methods in Soils and Water Management and Crop Nutrition. Training Course Series 14, Vienna, 1-247. [15] Broadbent, F.E., Nakashima, T. and Chang, G.Y. (1982) Estimation of Nitrogen Fixation by Isotope Dilution in Field and Greenhouse Experiments. Agronomy Journal, 74, 625-628.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj1982.00021962007400040009x [16] Legg, J.O. and Sloger, C. (1975) A Tracer Method for Determining Nitrogen Fixation in Field Studies. In: Klein, E.R. and Klein, P.D., Eds., Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Stable Isotopes, US Energy Research and Development Administration, Washington DC, 661-666. [17] Ibeawuchi, I.I., Obiefuna, J.C., Nwufo, M.I. and Ofoh, M.C. (2007) Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation by Landrace Legumes in Yam/Cassava Based Cropping Systems of the Tropical Rainforest. Department of Crop Science and Technology Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. New York Science Journal, 1, 1-12.
http://www.sciencepub.org/newyork [18] Chemining’wa, G.N., Theuri, S.W.M. and Muthomi, J.W. (2004) Effect of Rhizobia Inoculation and Starter-N on Nodulation and Yield of Grain Legumes. Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Nairobi. [19] Ibeawuchi, I.I. (2007) Landrace Legumes: Synopsis of the Culture, Importance, Potentials and Roles in Agricultural Production Systems. Journal of Biological Sciences, 7, 464-474.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2007.464.474 [20] Dano, S.K.A. and Eskew, D.L. (1984) Enhancing Biological Nitrogen Fixation. IAEA Bulletin, 26, 29-30. [21] Ibeawuchi, I.I., Obiefina, J.C., Ofoh, M.C., Ihejirika, G.O., Tom, C.T., Owneremadu, E.U. and Opara, C.C. (2004) An Evaluation of Four Soyabean Varieties Intercropped with Okro in Owerri Ultisol of South Eastern Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences (PJBS), 8, 215-219. [22] Peoples, M.B., Faizah, A.W., Rerkasem, B. and Herridge, D.F. (1989) Methods for Evaluating Biological Nitrogen Fixation by Nodulated Legumes in the Field. No. 11, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, vii + 76 p. [23] Christie, B.R. and Hanson, A.A. (1987) CRC Handbook of Plant Science in Agriculture. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 165-169. [24] Kagabo, W.E. (1986) Nitrogen Fixation in Field-Grown Legumes Measured by the 15N Isotope Dilution and the Difference Methods. Master’s Thesis, Graduate Division of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, 21. [25] www.cilr.uq.edu.au [26] Sellstedt, A., Staahl, L., Mattsson, M., Jonsson, K. and Hoegberg, P. (1993) Can the 15N Dilution Technique Be Used to Study N2 Fixation in Tropical Tree Symbioses as Affected by Water Deficit? Journal of Experimental Botany, 44, 1749-1755.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/44.12.1749
[1] Broughton, W.J., Hernández, G., Blair, M., Beebe, S., Gepts, P. and Vanderleyden, J. (2002) LBMPS, Université de Genve, ch. de l’Impératrice, 1292 Chambèsy, Genève, Switzerland. CIFN, UNAM, Cuernavaca, Mexico. CIAT, Cali, Colombia. University of California, Davis, USA. CMPG, Katholieke Universiteit, Heverlee, Belgium. [2] Sauvant, D., Heuzé, V., Tran, G., Bastianelli, D. and Lebas, F. (2015) Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus). Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO.
http://www.feedipedia.org/node/267 [3] Ajayi, F.T., Akande, S.R., Adegbite, A.A. and Idowu, B. (2009) Assessment of Seven Under-Utilized Grain Legume Foliages as Feed Sources for Ruminants. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 21.
http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd21/9/ajay21149.htm [4] Akande, S.R. and Balogun, M.O. (2007) Evaluation and Heritability Studies of Local Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) Cultivars from Southwest Nigeria. Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B. 5029, Ibadan, Nigeria, 22-28. [5] Doku, E.V. (1977) Grain Legume Production in Ghana. In: Doku, E.V., Ed., Proceedings of the Joint University of Ghana Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Symposium on Grain Legumes in Ghana, The Institute of Adult Education, University of Ghana, Legon, 1-7. [6] Ibeawuchi, I.I. and Ofoh, M.C. (2000) Productivity of Maize/Cassava/Food Legume Mixtures in South Eastern Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture & Rural Development, 1, 1-9.
http://www.sciencepub.org/newyork [7] Aboagye, L.M., Owusu, S.K. and Badger, N.G. (2007) Evaluation of Some Lima (Phaseolus lunatus) Germplasm Collected from Ghana. Ghana Journal of Horticulture, 6, 17-22. [8] Belk, C. and Borden, V. (2007) Biology: Science for Life with Physiology. 2nd Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, 590-591. [9] Hardarson, G., Zapata, F. and Danso, K.S.A. (1987) Effect of Plant Genotype and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation by Soybean Cultivars. Plant and Soil, 82, 397-405.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02184277 [10] Morris, M.L., Tripp, R. and Dankyi, A.A. (1999) Adoption and Impacts of Improvedmaize Production Technology: A Case Study of the Ghana Grains Development Project. Economics Program Paper 99-01, CIMMYT, Mexico D.F., 3-41. [11] FAO/UNESCO (1994) Soil Map of the World, Revised Legend. World Resources Report 60, FAO, Rome, 146. [12] Schulz, S., Engel, M., Fischer, D., Buegger, F., Elmer, M., Welzl, G. and Schloter, M. (2012) Diversity Pattern of Nitrogen Fixing Microbes in Nodules of Trifolium arvense (L.) at Different Initial Stages of Ecosystem Development. Biogeosciences, 10, 1183-1192. [13] Lindemann, W.C. and Glover, C.R. (2003) Guide A-129. Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, 1-3. [14] IAEA (2001) Use of Isotope and Radiation Methods in Soils and Water Management and Crop Nutrition. Training Course Series 14, Vienna, 1-247. [15] Broadbent, F.E., Nakashima, T. and Chang, G.Y. (1982) Estimation of Nitrogen Fixation by Isotope Dilution in Field and Greenhouse Experiments. Agronomy Journal, 74, 625-628.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj1982.00021962007400040009x [16] Legg, J.O. and Sloger, C. (1975) A Tracer Method for Determining Nitrogen Fixation in Field Studies. In: Klein, E.R. and Klein, P.D., Eds., Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Stable Isotopes, US Energy Research and Development Administration, Washington DC, 661-666. [17] Ibeawuchi, I.I., Obiefuna, J.C., Nwufo, M.I. and Ofoh, M.C. (2007) Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation by Landrace Legumes in Yam/Cassava Based Cropping Systems of the Tropical Rainforest. Department of Crop Science and Technology Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. New York Science Journal, 1, 1-12.
http://www.sciencepub.org/newyork [18] Chemining’wa, G.N., Theuri, S.W.M. and Muthomi, J.W. (2004) Effect of Rhizobia Inoculation and Starter-N on Nodulation and Yield of Grain Legumes. Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, Nairobi. [19] Ibeawuchi, I.I. (2007) Landrace Legumes: Synopsis of the Culture, Importance, Potentials and Roles in Agricultural Production Systems. Journal of Biological Sciences, 7, 464-474.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2007.464.474 [20] Dano, S.K.A. and Eskew, D.L. (1984) Enhancing Biological Nitrogen Fixation. IAEA Bulletin, 26, 29-30. [21] Ibeawuchi, I.I., Obiefina, J.C., Ofoh, M.C., Ihejirika, G.O., Tom, C.T., Owneremadu, E.U. and Opara, C.C. (2004) An Evaluation of Four Soyabean Varieties Intercropped with Okro in Owerri Ultisol of South Eastern Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences (PJBS), 8, 215-219. [22] Peoples, M.B., Faizah, A.W., Rerkasem, B. and Herridge, D.F. (1989) Methods for Evaluating Biological Nitrogen Fixation by Nodulated Legumes in the Field. No. 11, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, vii + 76 p. [23] Christie, B.R. and Hanson, A.A. (1987) CRC Handbook of Plant Science in Agriculture. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 165-169. [24] Kagabo, W.E. (1986) Nitrogen Fixation in Field-Grown Legumes Measured by the 15N Isotope Dilution and the Difference Methods. Master’s Thesis, Graduate Division of the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, 21. [25] www.cilr.uq.edu.au [26] Sellstedt, A., Staahl, L., Mattsson, M., Jonsson, K. and Hoegberg, P. (1993) Can the 15N Dilution Technique Be Used to Study N2 Fixation in Tropical Tree Symbioses as Affected by Water Deficit? Journal of Experimental Botany, 44, 1749-1755.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/44.12.1749