Original scientific paper

Nodulation of Native Legumes in Pakistani Rangelands

Mohammad Athar

Abstract

Nodulation was studied in 161 legumes (9 Caesalpinioideae, 19 Mimosoideae and 133 Papilionoideae) native in Pakistani rangelands. This consisted of two tribes of Caesalpinioideae, three tribes of Mimosoideae and 16 tribes of Papilionoideae. Legume species in Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae were all nodulated to various degrees. However, all the 9 legume species in Caesalpinioideae (tribe Caesalpinieae and Cassieae) appeared non-nodulated after repeated investigation in the field. Nodulation of a wide range of legume species in Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae indicates a widespread
distribution of compatible rhizobia across the Pakistani rangelands. Nodules were observed even under adverse rangeland conditions which included extreme temperatures, salinity, drought, waterlogged, marginal and eroded soils with low fertility. The legume distribution brings out the importance of this family in the rangelands in terms of abundance of leguminous herbs, shrubs and trees. Nodulation study of these legumes will stimulate their utilization in soil fertility improvement programs, up grading rangeland soils and reforestation of derelict sites. Further research on nodulation status, nitrogen fixation capacity, physiological adaptations and genetic diversity of
these legumes will provide fundamental knowledge for their conservation and utilization in different agro-climatic and physiographical regions.

Keywords

rangelands; legumes; nodulation; taxonomy; Pakistan

Hrčak ID:

907

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/907

Publication date:

13.6.2005.

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