Intensification of Symbiotic Performances of Grain Legumes and Rhizobia through Joint Use of Agro-inputs: Review

As it holds in sub-Saharan Africa, low grain legume crop productivity has been facing Ethiopia and is often associated with reduced N2-fixation. For low-input users, symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) can be an affordable, feasible and sustainable option particularly when employed in appropriate inoculation of effective rhizobial strains to improve the productivity of legumes. Here, we review past research interventions on agro-inputs and Rhizobium-legume symbiosis interaction with a view of understanding the consequence on productivity of the symbiosis. First of all, information on farm-based need-to-inoculate and reinoculate legumes with rhizobia remain fundamental when benefit-oriented inoculation is thought. In addition, co-application of nutrients like phosphorus (P) or Sulphur (S), organic amendments, plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and lime highly complemented rhizobia in enhancing symbiotic effectiveness. Sole lime application appeared no to improve yield of legumes, its co-application with rhizobia, acid tolerant variety and P fertilizer enhanced nitrogen (N) and grain yield of legumes. The reaction of rhizobia and symbiosis to seed-dresser pesticides may be detrimental or beneficial (indirectly) depending on the rate, and type of the pesticide and the legume. Thus, co-application of rhizobial strains and agro-inputs generally enhanced the productivity of rhizobial-legume symbiosis, but this should be done with prior refining through context-based scientific research. Key words: Agro-input, Inoculation, Nodulation, Rhizobia, Symbiotic Effectiveness DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-19-01 Publication date:October 31st 2020