Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1959. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-146).

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1984 R327 / Master of Science

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture Science))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / The study used common bean (P. vulgaris L. variety Provider) in a spilt-split-plot design involving 2 levels of Rhizobium inoculation (with and without rhizobia), 3 levels of lime (0, 2 and 3 t.ha-1) and 3 levels of molybdenum (0, 6 and 12 g.kg-1 of seeds) in a glasshouse experiment. The glasshouse experiment was then verified in the field during 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons. The aim was to assess the effects of Rhizobium inoculation, molybdenum and lime supply on: i) yield and yield components of the P. vulgaris L. ii) Changes in soil pH and the concentrations of selected plant-available nutrients in the rhizosphere, iii) photosynthesis and chlorophyll formation in P. vulgaris L. and (iv) plant growth and N2-fixation in P. vulgaris L. The results showed that Rhizobium inoculation had significant effects in increasing yield components and ultimately the final seed yield. Rhizobial inoculation also significantly increased the levels of chlorophyll content in leaves, improved all photosynthetic parameters, increased dry matter yield of different organs and decreased 15N values in all organs assessed. As a result, % nitrogen derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa) in all organs as well as the amount of N derived from fixation was improved. In the field, the whole plant level of N-fixation of P. vulgaris L. from Rhizobium inoculation accounted for approximately 33 kg N.ha-1. Furthermore, soil pH and the concentration of mineral nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) in the rhizosphere were significantly increased with Rhizobium inoculation when compared with the control.

Biological soil inoculants are products that contain beneficial microorganisms with the ability to increase plant-available nutrients. Soil inoculants are claimed to serve as a supplement for fertilizer N, improve germination and tilth, improve root systems, and increase crop quality and yield. The inoculant evaluated in this study was Effective Microorganisms (EM) produced by Nature Farm Foundation of Lompoc, California. A field trial with corn (Zea mays, L.) was conducted at Oakwood Organic Farm in East Central Indiana in 1992. Two soil types were used in the study, a Genesee silt loam (Fluventic Eutorchrept) and a Sloan silt loam (Fluventic Haplaquoll). Soil nitrate level measured through the growing season was not significantly affected by the addition of EM. Neither foliar nutrient content nor grain dry matter yield were significantly greater with use of EM compared to the control. / Department of Natural Resources

Sorghum plants excrete phenolic acids which reduce subsequent crop yields. These acids accumulate in field soil by combining with soil and clay particles to form stable complexes which remain until degraded by bacterial metabolism. The amount of phenolic acids in soil samples were obtained by gas chromatography measurements, while Azotobacter populations were obtained by plate counts in 40 sorghum field samples from Denton County, Texas. One can conclude that increasing the Azotobacter population in the soil increased the degradation rate of phenolic acids proportionally. It is proposed that seed inoculation will introduce selected strains of Azotobacter into the soil. The presence of Azotobacter should increase crop size in subsequent plantings.