Optimisation of inoculation of Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia mangium with rhizobium under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Our work concerned the optimization of inoculation of two agroforestry species of woody leguminous plants: Leucaena leucocephata and Acacia mangium with various strains of rhizobium. First, we showed that the physiological stage of the bacterial culture had no effect on nodulation and growth of the seedlings of Acacia mangium inoculated and cultivated in vitro for four months. For Leucaena leucocephala, the number of nodules was significantly higher when the seedlings were inoculated with a bacterial culture in stationary phase. On the other hand, whatever the species, no significant difference was noted with regards to the dry weight of the shoots. The effect of the size of inoculum on the nodulation and growth of the seedlings was studied in L. leucocephala after five months in a greenhouse. Our result show that an inoculation with bacterial cultures containing 109 to 1010 bacteria per milliliter are the optimal conditions to have a maximum nodulation and growth of the seedlings. The two legume plant species showed significant differences with regard to the effect of the method of inoculation on nodulation and growth of the seedlings. For Acacia mangium, inoculation with a liquid culture one week after sowing was more favourable for the growth of the seedlings. On the other hand, for Leucaena leucocephala, this method of inoculation and the coating of seeds with a bacterial culture mixed with arabic gum improved significantly the growth of the seedlings. Results obtained in our study can be useful for the partners from developing countries involved in the large scale production of tree seedlings.