For a better development of these plants, a technology has been developed that consists of incorporating bacteria into the seed, specifically highly efficient but ineffective rhizobia, which help fix atmospheric nitrogen in the roots.
According to the INIA of Uruguay, all legumes must be inoculated to ensure that bacteria of the genus Rhizobium are incorporated into the plants, forming nodules on their roots that fix nitrogen and use it for their own growth.
It is then used by the associated grasses in the pasture and then released to the ground. Through this biological process, a natural fertilization of the pasture is achieved, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, with the consequent saving and reduction of environmental impact.
For its part, Álvaro Rincon Castillo Y Samuel Caicedo Guerrero, Agrosavia researchers, explained that the symbiosis between bacteria Y legumes offers great benefits. (Lea: Finding to improve legume crops and increase their productivity)
First of all, the same plant what take advantage of nitrogen transformed by bacteria, while the won what eat better quality forage and finally the rancher you don’t have to invest in nitrogen fertilizers, reducing production costs.
The effectiveness of the native rhizobia population depends on its abundance, specificity, diversity, competitiveness and tolerance to environmental conditions. Inoculation seeks to modify the effectiveness of native strains by introducing a selected one.
In some cases the legume responds to inoculation and in others it grows well without it. Sometimes the native population of rhizobia is completely ineffective and the absence of inoculation can result in a total failure in the establishment of the legume.
In this sense, Puente, García and Perticari (2011) of the BPCV laboratories of INTA in Argentina indicated that the most efficient strains are those with the greatest number of medium and large nodules, clustered and / or palmate, being red inside and located in the primary root.
On the other hand, the less efficient ones have smaller nodules, located in secondary roots and tend to paralyze the biological fixation of N in earlier stages, presenting nodules of green color. (Read: What are silo inoculants and how do they work?)
The desired strain is cultivated in fermenters in order to increase their number. With this broth we proceed to obtain different types of formulations. These products called inoculants can be presented as powdery (peat, dolomite or clay support, etc.)
It is essential to read and respect the conditions of use described in the purchased inoculant product. All the seeds must be covered with the inoculant, so that each one has the appropriate number of rhizobia.
Inoculation procedure
Rincón and Caicedo, in the article “Establishment of pastures in livestock systems in the Colombian plains”, explained the procedure used to inoculate legumes. Here we present it to you:
- Mix the inoculum containing the bacteria with the seed in a clean container. For one kilo of seed, first mix 100 ml of water with 10 to 20 g of sugar, which acts as an adherent. Then the kilo and 50 g of inoculum are added, which are mixed well until there is a good distribution and coverage.
- A coating material, such as phosphate rock, is immediately added to the inoculated seeds.. The amount depends on the size of the seeds; for example, 300 g are needed for one kg of forage peanut seed and 400 grams for one kg of Capica.
- After pelleting the seeds, they should be left extended for 20 minutes in the shade to dry.. (Lea: Legumes would increase milk production in droughts)
- The example presented for a kilo of seed is proposed as an exercise to calculate the doses of each element necessary for inoculation. In practical terms, this procedure should be done at least for every 5 kg of seed.
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