INNOCULATION OF Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit WITH RHIZOBACTERIA AND ENDOMYCORRHIZAE TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IN ACID SOILS

Abstract

The results generated from the application of Rhizobium loti, Rhizophagus intraradices y Azospirillum brasilense, to Leucaena leucocephala, alone or in co-inoculation, are presented. Strains of R. loti were isolated and evaluated in soils of low and medium fertility, under greenhouse conditions. Likewise, R. loti–R. intraradices and A. brasilense–R. intraradices were inoculated in sabanoid soil. The populations of rhizobia in non-sabanoid soils were found to be diverse, and L. leucocephala expressed advantage in its growth with effective strains and adequate amounts of phosphorus in the two soil conditions. Their establishment in acid soils responded in a differential manner to the rhizobia strains. The co-inoculation with R. loti–R. intraradices and A. brasilense–R. intraradices induced greater plant development, which increased with the addition of phosphorus and nitrogen.