The effectiveness and competitiveness of some Indonesian Rhizobium strains on tropical legumes grown in four soil types of Java

Several Indonesian and some imported Rhizobium strains were assessed for their effectiveness in nodulating four legume species in four soil types of Java. Naturally occurring Rhizobia formed effective symbioses on Vigna unguiculata, Macroptilium atropurpureum and Desmodium heterocarpon in all four soils and the applied strains, with some exceptions, did not infect a majority of nodules of these legumes. Centrosema pubescens was more specific in its Rhizobia requirements and applied strains formed effective symbioses in two clay soils, but not in two sandy loam soils.