Strain competitiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum phaseoli in french bean under different hydro-thermal regimes

Rhizobium leguminosarum phaseoli specific rhizobia nodulate the French bean crop. This crop is known for poor nodulation. Application of heavy doses of agricultural chemicals are imperative to get remunerative prices. Competitiveness is essential characteristic of inoculants to cause nodulation in their host. Four marker strains of R. leguminosarum phaseoli were used to determine their strain competitiveness under different soil temperatures and moisture conditions. There is no consistent trend for performance of individual strains. Different marker strains of R. leguminosarum phaseoli performed better individually under different soil temperature and moisture conditions. Soil temperature and moisture conditions corresponded to the area from where their wild type parents were isolated was observed to be suitable for their marker strains. Pesticide resistant marker strains of indigenous strains of R. leguminosarum phaseoli performed better in their corresponding edaphic conditions.