THE ROLE OF RHIZOBIAL BIODIVERSITY IN LEGUME CROP PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WEST ASIAN HIGHLANDS .4. RHIZOBIUM CICERI

The native rhizobia capable of symbiosis with chickpea crops in the Turkish highlands were surveyed and estimates made of the numbers of bacteria and the nitrogen fixing efficiency of isolates of R. ciceri in symbiosis with an improved Turkish cultivar and a local landrace. Soils were collected from locations at elevations between 500 and 2200 m. Native rhizobia specific to the local landrace were more abundant than those specific to the improved cultivar but nitrogen fixation efficiencies of all isolates were consistently poor. Agronomic research priorities must include the identification of strains of rhizobia symbiotically efficient and ecologically persistent in highland soils. Comprehensive trials with these strains as artificial inoculants on chickpeas are required throughout the region.