Response of Legume-Rhizobium Symbiosis to Salinity in the Sudan: a Review

Abstract

Research on the effect of salinity on Rhizobium and its symbiotic properties with legumes in the Sudan was reviewed. The review indicated that (i) rhizobia are more salt tolerant than their host legumes; (ii) the fast growing rhizobial strains are more salt tolerant than the slow growing bradyrhizobia; (iii) salinity significantly reduces plant growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation; (iv) the response to Rhizobium inoculation under saline conditions, with different soil textures, varies from no response to a highly significant response; (v) under saline conditions, application of N, P, S, mycorrhiza and chicken manure gives comparable results to that of Rhizobium; and (vi) Rhizobium inoculation has a great potential for improving fertility in saline soils.