The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the availability of soluble phosphate and fixed nitrogen for legume:Rhizobium symbioses involving co-inoculating legume seeds with a phosphate-solubilizing soil fungus, Penicillium bilaii, and Rhizobiumspp. prior to planting. The two types of microorganisms do not appear to compete for nutrients in the rhizosphere of legumes and theP. bilaii provides a source of available phosphorus for use by the plant without adversely affecting the nitrogen fixation ability of theRhizobium spp.; and indeed such ability is enhanced. The invention is used to increase the efficiencies of nodulation, nitrogen fixation andlegume crop production.
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