Utilização de inoculantes biológicos para fixação de nitrogênio em leguminosas

Abstract

The biological fixation of nitrogen is performed by bacteria of the genus Rhizobium that establish symbiosis with the roots of legumes, resulting in the formation of nodules that allow the bacteria to carry out the biological process of N2 fixation under suitable conditions. In order for inoculation to be effective, it is necessary to use appropriate Rhizobium strains for each legume species. The evaluation of biological inoculants consists of testing the effectiveness of these strains in fixing nitrogen in the roots of the legume species that will be inoculated. It is important to highlight that the effectiveness of inoculation should be regularly evaluated to ensure the maximization of the benefits of biological nitrogen fixation in legumes, being an alternative way to provide nutrients to plants, especially in poor and low-fertility soils. The efficiency of BNF is influenced by various factors, such as temperature, humidity, chemical and physical characteristics of soil, as well as compatibility between the host plant and the rhizobia. Inoculation with rhizobia is an important agronomic technique to improve productivity and quality of crops, as well as to reduce dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which can be harmful to the environment. BNF is especially important in the culture of pea, lentil, and alfalfa, which have symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots.