Low soil nitrogen (N) is the most limiting soil factor for sustainable high crop yields in smallholder farming systems in East Africa. Inorganic fertilizers are rarely used due to high costs and inaccessibility. Judicious application of alternative soil management practices, such as harnessing biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is necessary. This study genetically characterized 106 root nodule bacteria which freely nodulate soybeans (Glycine max L. MERR) and bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) in four soil types of Lake Victoria basin, Western Kenya. Isolate influence on nodulation and crop productivity was examined under field and glasshouse conditions. There was marked heterogeneity in 16S rRNA, atpD, recA, nodC and nifH gene analysis of isolates identified as Rhizobium sp., Agrobacterium sp., Burkholderia sp. and Bradyrhizobium sp. at above 97% sequence identity. Soil pH and available phosphorus had a significant effect on isolate distribution. The two legumes have greater symbiotic preference to Bradyrhizobium-type isolates under inoculation. Lateral transfer of Sym plasmids presumably conferred nodulation and N-fixation ability to one Agrobacteriumsp. The findings provide new opportunities for selection of effective symbionts of soybeans and bambara groundnuts for improved soil fertility, commercialized agriculture and reduced food insecurity in the region.

1st JOOUST Scientific Conference 2015