NODULATION IN LEGUMINOUS FOREST SPECIES IN NURSERY CONDITIONS AT SOUTH MINAS GERAIS STATE

Abstract

The symbiosis with rhizobia is not widespread among all leguminous species. Nodulation capability, i.e., the ability to establish symbiosis with nitrogen fixing bacteria commomly denominated rhizobia, is more frequent among Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae and rare among the Caesalpinioideae. Furthermore, chemical, physical and biological soil factors can limit nodulation. The nodulation capability of  37 forest species cultivated under nursery conditions in South Minas Gerais state was investigated. Nodules were not found in 18 Caesalpinioideae species, meanwhile 84% of 19 Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae species were nodulating. With the exception of Platycyamus regnelli, for the first time found with nodules, and Colvillea racemosa, results obtained to the other species were consistent with previous observations. Nitrogenase activity was detected in many nodules and rhizobia were isolated from diverse species, including some that has no specific inoculant strains.