Potential of Rhizobia in Productivity Enhancement of Macrotyloma uniflorum L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. Cultivated in the Western Himalaya

Abstract

In the Himalayan climatic condition where temperature are crucial determinant for microbial growth as well as the growth of plant, productivity of important crops can be increased by the use of cold-tolerant rhizospheric microflora. Crop enhancement of legumes found in the western Himalaya has been reviewed in this chapter with special emphasis on Rhizobium spp. These are characterized to retain their plant growth promotory activity in suboptimal temperature conditions. Psychrotolerant rhizobia which can grow over a wide temperature range from 4 to 42 °C and usually grow optimally at temperature above 20 °C are extremely important, since they have survive and retain their functionality in low-temperature area such as Himalaya mountain ranges in India. Potential of Rhizobia in productivity enhancement of Macrotyloma uniflorum L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L., the two important legumes cultivated in high altitude regions of the western Himalaya have been highlighted. Besides nitrogen fixation, the role of other PGP attributes in indigenous strains with reference to phosphate solubilization, phytohormones promotion, and siderophore production has also been analyzed in raising crop's yield. The taxonomy of rhizobial isolates has been included which would be helpful to explore current status of rhizobia. Knowledge of the biodiversity of Rhizobium from local crops is discussed for the design of successful inoculations leading to increased yield in legumes.