THE ROLE OF RHIZOBIAL BIODIVERSITY IN LEGUME CROP PRODUCTIVITY IN THEWEST ASIAN HIGHLANDS .4. RHIZOBIUM CICERI

The native rhizobia capable of symbiosis with chickpea crops in the Tu rkish highlands were surveyed and estimates made of the numbers of bac teria and the nitrogen fixing efficiency of isolates of R. ciceri in s ymbiosis with an improved Turkish cultivar and a local landrace. Soils were collected from locations at elevations between 500 and 2200 m. N ative rhizobia specific to the local landrace were more abundant than those specific to the improved cultivar but nitrogen fixation efficien cies of all isolates were consistently poor. Agronomic research priori ties must include the identification of strains of rhizobia symbiotica lly efficient and ecologically persistent in highland soils. Comprehen sive trials with these strains as artificial inoculants on chickpeas a re required throughout the region.