To evaluate five Rhizobium tropici strains and N fertilization on the productivity components of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop, an experimental design of randomized blocks was used. The eight treatments consisted of five Rhizobium tropici strains (CIAT899; F35; F54; F81, and CM255), two controls without inoculation (30 kg ha-1 N with PK at sowing plus 30 kg ha-1 N as top dressing, and other without fertilization NPK) with the IAC Carioca cultivar and one non-nodulating cultivar (NORH54). Number of nodules per plant, shoot dry mass, leaf N content, number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant, number of grains per pod, 100 grain weight, and grain yield, were evaluated. The nodulating cultivar with inoculation or in soil with efficient native population can eliminate the N top dressing with no decrease in yield.
Phaseolus vulgaris; bean; biological nitrogen fixation
