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Rhizobium Inoculation
Inoculation should be routine for all legume crops, following instructions on the inoculum container. Rhizobium phaseoli is the proper strain for dry edible beans. (See plant disease section concerning inoculation problems in treated bean seed.)
Root infection in legume crops occurs with rhizobia from both soil borne and inoculum sources. Soil rhizobial populations decline in the absence of the host crop. Grain crop residues accelerate the decline, and the population level can be quite low following two or three grain crops. Inoculation at seeding time is usually required to restore satisfactory rhizobium activity.
Root nodulation and rhizobium activity is affected by plant vigor. Plants stressed by weather, insects, or disease seldom nodulate. Further, it is common for healthy, well-nodulated plants to slough nodules during periods of drought stress.
The center of active nodules should have a rich, pinkish-brown color. Immature nodules are creamy white. Ineffective nodules turn pale green and may slough from the roots.
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