Selection and evaluation of root nodule bacteria for Dorycnium spp

Dorycnium spp. are perennial legumes that have the ability to produce a source of forage in low fertility soils under low rainfall conditions. The inoculation of Dorycnium spp. is currently with the commercial Lotus corniculatus inoculant SU343, which until now had not been trialed against a range of alternative inoculants for Dorycnium spp. A glasshouse trial in sterile sand culture was conducted with 3 species of Dorycnium spp. along with 6 important pasture legumes to evaluate nitrogen-fixing performance, and host and rhizobia interactions. Several inoculants were selected from this trial to undergo evaluation under Tasmanian field conditions. The dry matter production of Dorycnium spp. in the glasshouse and field indicated that SU343 is a suitable inoculant for this genus. A Tasmanian isolate (WSM2338) was identified as a complimentary strain for the inoculation of Dorycnium spp., however, negative interactions with important pasture legumes require further investigation. © CSIRO 2005.