GROWTH AND NODULATION OF CYAMOPSIS-TETRAGONOLOBA L (GUAR) UNDER CONDITIONS OF SALINITY

In order to introduce guar in semiarid and arid regions of Argentina a s an industrial crop and forage legume alternative, its salt tolerance and that of its native symbiont, Bradyrhizobium sp. GB2, were studied . Morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters (such as per oxidases) were evaluated. Growth of inoculated plants was observed up to 170 mM NaCl but nodulation was affected above 100 mM NaCl. It was p ossible to offset this inhibition by developing tolerant strains, thus extending nodulation up to near 200 mM NaCl, and allowing increment o f areas capable of sustaining agriculture.