Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - January 02, 2007
From: Leander, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Rhizobium inoculant for Leucaena and othr leguminous tree seedlings
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
What sort of Rhizobium inoculant would be appropriate for Leucaena and other leguminous tree seedlings?ANSWER:
It is correct that legumes such as White Leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala) and, as another example, bluebonnets, require Rhizobium bacteria to enable them to fix atmospheric nitrogen for use by the plant. Furthermore, there are different strains of Rhizobium and the strains that are effective for bluebonnets are not necessarily effective for Leucaena. The Rhizobium strains are species specific. It is possible that the proper strain of Rhizobium is present in your soil already. You can check this by looking at the roots of your Leucaena. If there are nodules present, then it already has the correct Rhizobium species. If you have access to mature Leucaena plants, you can simply harvest some soil from around the roots of them and inoculate your seedlings' soil with some of it. It would only take a very small amount per pot. You could mix a handful or two of native soil into a pile of potting soil and that should do the trick—nothing fancy; the roots and the Rhizobium will find one another.Research in Australia has cited two strains of Rhizobium that are effective with Luecaena. In acid soils Strain CB3060 (TAL1145) was most effective in N2 fixation. This is cited in Tolerance of Leucaena to Acid Soil Conditions by F.P.C.Blarney and E. M. Hutton, p.84. In the article "Establishment and Early Growth of Leucaena" C. M. Piggin et al., p. 87, report strain CB81 was found reliable and strain NGR8 less reliable. They also report (p. 88) CB3060 (TAL1145) is good in acidic soils as well as more neutral soils.
Unfortunately, there are few sources for obtaining Rhizobium cultures. I did find one source, Becker Underwood in Australia with worldwide production and marketing, for purchase of CB3060. The USDA has a Rhizobium Germplasm Collection that provides free cultures for research but they do not have a database of strains available. You can see a list of other bacterial culture collections worldwide.
For a good discussion of seed treatment and nitrogen fixation see Agroforestry for the Pacific Technologies from the U. S. Forest Service and also Nitrogen Fixing Tree Start-up Guide from Agroforestry.com.
You can also check with the Williamson County Extension Office of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and see if they know of the availability of Rhizobium strains.
More Propagation Questions
Propagation of Arisaema dracontium
May 25, 2008 - We are fortunate enough to own an 8-acre drainage next to Bull Creek preserve, and it has several stands of Green Dragon (Arisaema Dracontium) growing in it. How can we propagate this plant and share...
view the full question and answer
Volunteer wax myrtles in Tuscaloosa, AL
August 26, 2009 - I have Wax Myrtles growing in my front yard. I have noticed that some shrubs have sprouted in my back yard that have leaves that are exactly like my wax myrtles. Can Wax Myrtles sprout from seed or h...
view the full question and answer
Propagating Dakota vervain (Glandularia binpinnatifida)
August 07, 2008 - Dakota Vervain.
We recently moved into a new house in Henly--Hays/Blanco county line. Mother nature was kind enough to provide us w/Dakota Vervain in some of our planting beds while we are getting...
view the full question and answer
Poppies for a wedding in August from Highlands Ranch CO
February 04, 2013 - Are poppies available to buy for weddings in August in Colorado?
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Liatris elegans in Lubbock TX
October 14, 2010 - I am going to harvest several Liatris Elegans.I want to grow as many as possible out of what I harvest. What will be the best method? I have plenty of land at my home for growing these plants.I will ...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
