Biological nitrogen fixation in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in the Ethiopian highlands as affected by P fertilization and inoculation

 N2 fixation by leguminous crops is a relatively low-cost alternative to N fertilizer for small-holder farmers in developing countries. N2 fixation in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as affected by P fertilization (0 and 20 kg P ha–1) and inoculation (uninoculated and inoculated) with Rhizobium leguminosarium biovar viciae (strain S-18) was studied using the 15N isotope dilution method in the southeastern Ethiopian highlands at three sites differing in soil conditions and length of growing period. Nodulation at the late flowering stage was significantly influenced by P and inoculation only at the location exhibiting the lowest soil P and pH levels. The percentage of N derived from the atmosphere ranged from 66 to 74%, 58 to 74% and 62 to 73% with a corresponding total amount of N2 fixed ranging from 169 to 210 kg N ha–1, 139 to 184 kg N ha–1 and 147 to 174 kg N ha–1 at Bekoji, Kulumsa and Asasa, respectively. The total N2 fixed was not significantly affected by P fertilizer or inoculation across all locations, and there was no interaction between the factors. However, at all three locations, N2 fixation was highly positively correlated with the dry matter production and total N yield of faba bean. Soil N balances after faba bean were positive (12–58 kg N ha–1) relative to the highly negative N balances (–9–44 kg N ha–1) following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), highlighting the importance of rotation with faba bean in the cereal-based cropping systems of Ethiopia.