Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Seedling Growth of Albizia procera (roxb.) Benth

A pot experiment was conducted by using isolated inoculants of Rhizobium and Rhizobium + recommended dosages of fertilizers at different levels of N to evaluate their individual and combined effects on symbiotic traits and growth and biomass production of Albizia procera. Seven strains of Rhizobium were isolated from Albizia procera seedlings. Among them Ab(l)100, Ab(m) 98 and Ab(l) 32 were found to be efficient, having positive effect on growth, nodulation and biomass production. Nodulation was recorded maximum in Ab(l)32 inoculated seedling, being 69.82% higher than control (uninoculated ones). The combined effect of Rhizobium inoculation along with application different levels of N dosages of fertilizer showed significant increase in growth, nodulation and biomass production at low level of urea-amended soil (20 kg /h). Nodulation was found to be suppressed in medium level urea (40 kg/h) application although there was a significant increase of growth and biomass production of plant. However an exception was noticed in Ab(m)98 inoculated seedlings where in significantly high value of nodulation was recorded when medium level urea was applied to soil. Stunted growth and poor nodulation was observed when high level urea (60 kg /h) was applied to soil.