Preliminary symbiotic performance of indigenous soybean (Glycine max)-nodulating rhizobia from agricultural soils of Tanzania

Globally, the increase in human population continues to threaten sustainability of agricultural systems. Despite fast-growing Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and efforts improving productivity crops, yield crops per unit area is still not promising. The primarily constrained by inadequate levels soil nutrients support optimum crop growth development. However, smallholder farmers occasionally use fertilizers, amount applied usually small does meet plant requirements. This due unaffordability cost which enough suffice requirement. Therefore, there a need for alternative affordable effective fertilization methods sustainable intensification improvement farming system's productivity. study was designed evaluate symbiotic performance indigenous soybean nodulating rhizobia selected soils Tanzania. In total, 217 isolates were obtained from three agroecological zones, i.e., eastern, northern, southern highlands. collected screened N 2 fixing abilities under vitro (nitrogen-free medium) screen house conditions. results showed varying capabilities nitrogen-fixing both Under experiment, 22% identified have capability on an N-free medium, with highest -fixing diameter 1.87 cm. pot that isolate significantly ( P < 0.001) influenced different components, where average shoot dry weight ranged 2.49 10.98 g, length 41 125.27 cm whilst number leaves 20 66. Furthermore, = 0.038) increased root 0.574 2.17 g. case parameters plant, nodules range 0.33–22, (0.001–0.137 g), nitrogen (2.37–4.97%), total (53.59–6.72 fixed (46.878–0.15 g) plant. addition, indicated 51.39% tested bacterial this ranked as highly symbiosis, suggesting they are promising potential biofertilizers production Tanzania while reducing cost.