Growers seeking to boost nitrogen fixation while growing pulses this season are being encouraged to review their inoculation practices.
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Researchers working on a GRDC investment, aiming to improve nitrogen fixation in pulses, believe growers could be missing out on the full benefits of correctly inoculated pulses.
The University of Adelaide's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine Research Associate, Maarten Ryder, said when deciding whether to inoculate or not, some key factors include the time since the last legume crop was grown in a particular paddock, how successfully did that crop nodulate and soil acidity.
Legume inoculants contain living rhizobia that must be handled and applied carefully to ensure good nodulation and nitrogen fixation by the crop or pasture.
The GRDC's Inoculating legumes: The Back Pocket Guide can help growers navigate these issues such as crop types, nodulation assessment and information on the likelihood of crop response to inoculation.
For growers seeking a more detailed resource, Inoculating Legumes: A practical guide provides insight into legumes and nodulation and how to effectively use inoculation as a key farm practice.
To help guide growers through inoculation, Dr Ryder has put together 10 dos and don'ts of legume inoculation.
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