CHARACTERIZATION AND SELECTION OF NATIVE RHIZOBIA FROM AMAZONIAN SOILS FOR Vigna unguiculata (L.) WALP.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32404/rean.v13i1.9495Keywords:
Cowpea, Biological nitrogen fixation, Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, AmazonAbstract
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a legume of great socioeconomic importance in Brazil, particularly in the North and Northeast regions, where it accounts for about 30% of the country’s total bean production. It plays a critical role in food security and income generation for smallholder farmers, especially in challenging environments such as the Amazon. However, cowpea yield remains limited due to low technology adoption and poor management practices. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), mediated by symbiotic bacteria such as Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium, offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. This study aimed to isolate and characterize rhizobia from distinct Amazonian soils (Floodplain, Amazonian dark earth, and Oxisol). The isolates were evaluated in greenhouse conditions for cowpea growth promotion and characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Shoot dry mass (SDM) ranged from 736.67 to 2,220 mg per plant, and shoot dry mass nitrogen (SDMN) from 17.09 to 66.85 mg per plant. Most isolates promoted nodulation, with Rhizobium predominating, and several isolates showed similar agronomic performance, not statistically different from the recommended strain SEMIA 6462. The results indicate the potential of these native isolates for use as bioinoculants adapted to Amazonian conditions. These findings highlight the potential of native rhizobia as candidates for the development of bioinoculants adapted to Amazonian conditions.
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