New Nodulating Legumes of Potential Agricultural and Forestry Value from Subtropical Himalayan Ecosystems

Abstract

Legume species inhabiting a subtropical Himalayan sal forest ecosystem of the Dehra Dun Valley were evaluated for nodulation, with the objective of identifying potential legume-Rhizobium associations for enhancing soil fertility, agriculture and agroforestry of marginal lands. Four new nodulating legumes have been reported. All the four legume species are perennials and coppice well. Crotalaria calycina, Desmodium triquetrum subsp. pseudotriquetrum and Flemingia chappar are excellent fodder crops and efficient soil binders; these species are useful in the reclamation of acidic soils. Sophora mollis is a shrub to medium-sized tree and is used for both fodder and firewood; it can be used in the reclamation of alkaline soils. All the species had nodules on the crown region of the primary root, and the presence of copious leghaemoglobin in them suggests the effective nodulation of all the four species investigated. The nodules of Crotalaria were elongated and often forked, whereas in all other species the nodules were simple and globose.