Nodular diagnosis for integrated improvement of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in cropping systems

Proceedings of the 15th International Nitrogen Fixation Congress and the 12th International Conference of the African Association for Biological Nitrogen Fixation, 2007/01/21-26, Cape Town, South Africa.International audienceNodular diagnosis consists of measuring the nodulation of a legume in an area of production, and relating it to the growth and subsequent yield of the legume (Drevon, 2001; Drevon et al., 2001; 2003). The objective of this procedure is to respond to the following questions: (i) does symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) cover the N requirement of the legume in the cropping system? and (ii) what are the environmental factors limiting SNF in the area