Acid-Tolerant Rhizobia of Phaseolus vulgaris L. from the Intensively Cropped Soils of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines
Rosemary M. Gutierrez1,* and Wilfredo L. Barraquio2†
1Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, Gov. Pack Road 2600, Baguio City, Philippines
2Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines,
Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; †(deceased)
corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has long been intensively cultivated on the agricultural soils of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines. The soil of the site has become acidic (pH 5-6) because of chemical nitrogen fertilization at early stages of plant growth. The present study reports the diversity of rhizobia isolated from Benguet -Phaseolus and the selection of acid-tolerant strains that may have the potential for future inoculation trials. One hundred eighty nine (189) rhizobial strains were isolated from Phaseolus nodules and initially screened for acid tolerance in an unbuffered Glutamate Sucrose Minimal Medium (GSM) adjusted to pH 4.5. Further gnotobiotic evaluation of these strains based on symbiotic effectiveness and growth behavior at pH 4.5 yielded two most acid-tolerant strains (RG-136 and RG-137). Polyphasic characterization identified the most acid-tolerant strains as Rhizobium etli.
INTRODUCTION
The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. is a semi-temperate legume cultivated in the Philippines. It is a common source of protein in the Filipino diet and is planted on about 2,644 hectares of land in the country in areas with medium to high elevation (Delfin et al. 1999). La Trinidad, Benguet is one major agricultural area in the country where common beans or baguio beans, as it is locally called have long been intensively cultivated. Its soil has become acidic because of chemical nitrogen fertilization at early stages of plant growth. Earlier soil investigation studies in La Trinidad covering 1,420 hectares have indicated that there were two major soil types in La Trinidad: the La Trinidad silt loam and the La Trinidad . . . .
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