Effects of lime, phosphorus and rhizobia on Sesbania sesban performance in a Western Kenyan acid soil

摘要

Aluminium (Al) toxicity, phosphorus (P) deficiency and low rhizobia populations limit?Sesbania?(Sesbania sesban) performance in tropical acid soils. The study determined the i) indigenous rhizobia populations that nodulate sesbania and ii) effects of?lime (0?and?4 t/ha), P-fertilizer (0?and?60 kg/ha) and acid tolerant rhizobia (0and?inoculation) on soil and?selected?sesbania accessions performance in Western Kenya acid soil.?Study site had acid soil,?low available P, nitrogen (N) and rhizobia populations that nodulate?Sesbania?(146 cells/g soil). Lime increased soil pH, while both lime and P-fertilizer increased available P. Aluminium toxicity tolerant and P-efficient accessions (SSBSA004, SSUG3,?SSUG4?and?SSUG5)?had faster growth, higher nodulation, shoot P, and shoot N and response to treatments than the sensitive one?(SSBSA203). After 7 months of growth, SSUG3 had highest shoot length (306 cm) and dry matter (5.64 tons/ha), hence, most suitable for building poles and fuel wood. SSUG5 accumulated the highest shoot N (222 kg N/ha) and was therefore, most suitable soil N replenishment. Thus, in acid P deficient and low rhizobial population soils of Western Kenya, the use of lime, P-fertilizer, rhizobia inoculation and Al toxicity tolerant?Sesbania?are important for?Sesbania?establishment and growth.