NODULATION STATUS OF LEGUMINOUS PLANTS IN SINDH

A survey of 115 leguminous plants comprising of 79 species of Papilionaceae, 16 of Mimosaceae and 20 of Caesalpiniaceae was made for their nodulation status. Nodules were found in all the species of Papilionaceae, all the species of Mimosaceae except Adenanthera pavonina but not in Caesalpiniaceae. Vigna dalzelliana (O. Kuntze) Verde., V. mungo (L.) Hepper Mr. Sialkot; V. radiata (L.) Wilezek. Pak17, V. radiata (L.) Wilczek var. 71-17, V. radiata (L.) Wilczek Mr. 3854, V. radiata (L.) Wilczek var. 6601, V. unguiculata (L.) Walp. Tvx-02F.3871 and V. unguiculata (L.) Walp 1182 E-13 of the family Papilionaceae are reported for the first time as nodule bearing. Caesalpinia gilliesii (Hook) Dietr, Cassia italica (Mill). F.P. Andr, ssp. italica and C. italica sap. micrantha Brenan of the family Mimosaceae are reported for the first time as non-nodulating. The shapes of nodules were mainly elongate, globose and branched whereas semiglobose and irregular shapes were also observed. The colour of the nodules varied from white to brown and pink. Pink coloured nodules were mainly associated with members of Papilionaceae.