In order to evaluate the saline tolerance of Rhizobium loti strains (NFB 494 and SEMIA 6069) on Leucaena leucocephala-cv K8, an experiment was carried out using a Red-Yellow Podzolic, submitted to different levels of soil salinity (C.E. = 1.5; 6.6; 10.1; 12.8 e 14.4 mS cm-1). For comparative purposes, a non-inoculated treatment was added with and without mineral fertilization (200 mg kg-1 soil of N as NH4NO3). The experimental design was a complete randomized block, arranged in a 5 x 4 factorial with three replications. Nodulation (number and dry matter), shoot dry matter production and nutrient uptake were drastically reduced by salinity. Nitrogen fertilization completely inhibited nodulation in all salinity levels, but resulted in larger shoot dry matter production, N total accumulation, and N uptake. Plants inoculated with SEMIA 6069 showed a positive response to all parameters (especially nodulation) as compared with NFB 494.
Tree legume; Rhizobium loti; salinity