Diversidade e eficiência de rizóbios nativos do agreste da Paraíba, capazes de nodular o feijão Caupi (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Abstract

The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a widespread culture and is able to benefit from the Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) when associated with bacteria known as rhizobia. This legume has a high capacity of nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the presence of adequate population of rhizobia in the soil or by the use of efficient inoculants. Through knowledge of the diversity of rhizobia present in the different agricultural systems and rhizobia features to be introduced, we can improve the adaptability and competitiveness of Rhizobium inoculant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity and efficiency in nitrogen fixation (N) of rhizobia isolated from bean nodules cowpea grown in soils under different vegetation covers the state of Paraíba. Soil samples were collected from the surface soil (0-20 cm) in three municipalities of the Agreste (Solan, Hope and Lagoa Seca), with different vegetation cover: 1) Caatinga; 2) Pasture; 3) Roçado bean and 4) Roçado Cassava. They were used four varieties of cowpea (Ever-Green, Sedinha, Little Owl and Blue) as bait plants. The formed nodules had their rhizobia isolated and characterized morfofisiologicamente. the diversity of study for the effect of vegetation cover and the cultivars was carried out. The evaluation of the effectiveness was performed in two steps. In the first, 52 isolates were inoculated in cultivating Always Green, who also received two strains recommended, presence and absence of mineral N in Leonard jars. In the second stage, the 13 best isolates from the stage in Leonard pots were inoculated in the same cultivar sown in pots with soil, and the recommended and the presence and absence of mineral N. The ability to infection by rhizobia ranged between cowpea. The diversity of rhizobia was influenced by different agricultural management. The rhizobia had a high capacity of atmospheric nitrogen fixation and were able to promote the development of cowpea plant equivalent to that received fertilization with mineral N or inoculation with strains recommended.