EFFECT OF DROUGHT ON THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF RHIZOBIUM-MELILOTI STRAINS FROM PAKISTAN AND NEPAL

Growth and survival of 10 strains of Rhizobium meliloti Dang. from Pak istan and Nepal were evaluated for their survival under drought in via ls filled with sterile soil maintained at -0.03, -1.0 and -1.5 MPa. Rh izobia in the soil-filled vials were enumerated at 0, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days after inoculation. The highest numbers of rhizobia per g of s oil were observed at -0.03 MPa followed by soil maintained at -1.0 and -1.5 MPa. Strains UL 136 and UL 222 survived the best under drought a nd should be considered for commercial inoculant production in Pakista n. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.