The Rural Voice, 1983-08, Page 34WHAT'S NEW?
NITROGEN -FIXING
BACTERIA SEARCH
Federal scientists are mounting an in-
ternational search to find better nitrogen -
fixing bacteria for use with Canadian
legume crops.
"Canadian farmers already use several
strains of rhizobium bacteria with such
crops as alfalfa, clover, soybeans and
white beans," explains Rob Rennie, a soil
microbiologist and a world leader in the
study of nitrogen fixation with Agriculture
Canada's Lethbridge, Alta., Research Sta-
tion.
"We are currently evaluating many soil
bacteria from around the world for their
ability to take nitrogen from the air and
transform it into a form usable by the
legume crop."
The nitrogen provided to the plant by
the bacteria from the air reduces the
amount of costly commercial fertilizer the
farmer needs to apply to the crop, offering
significant savings.
The challenge, according to Dr. Rennie
and his colleague, Dr. G.A. Kemp, a plant
breeder at the station, is to discover more
efficient nitrogen -fixing bacteria that can
be used in Canada's climate with our
legume varieties.
One area where progress has been
made is white beans. The most popular
rhizobium bacteria now sold in Canada
fixes about 50 kilograms of nitrogen per
hectare with the bean variety Aurora.
However, this is only half of the nitrogen
needed by the crop. The balance must be
supplied in the form of fertilizer.
The scientists have discovered a pro-
mising bacteria strain from Brazil. This
strain has fixed up to 103 kilograms of
nitrogen per hectare in tests.
"If it was available today to farmers,
they could save more than $70 per hectare
in fertilizer costs," Dr. Rennie says.
Growers could also benefit from larger
yields. Tests using this strain have pro-
duced superior yields compared with
plants in uninoculated fields that received
100 kilograms of nitrogen fertilizer per
hectare last year.
Two strains from Columbia show pro-
mise as well. In tests, one fixed 95
kilograms per hectare while the second
strain fixed 114 kilograms nitrogen per
hectare -- a fertilizer saving of $80 per hec-
tare.
According to Dr. Rennie, Canadian soy-
bean growers could one day benefit from
research efforts in India and China, while
Brazil might offer us a superior nitrogen -
fixing bacteria for durum wheat in the
future.
Rennie says: "Most people think of
Canada as helping other nations increase
their domestic food production, but our
farmers can benefit from advances made
in other countries in such areas as
nitrogen fixation."
EXTRA FUEL TANK
Soil Mate front mount fuel tank comes
complete with adjustable brackets to fit
most tractor models. The 247 litre (55
gallon) tank is constructed of heavy ten
gauge steel welded inside and out. The ex-
tra fuel capacity allows tractor to work
longer periods without refuelling and also
adds ballast to front end of tractor. Con-
tact Harco Ag Equipment, R.R. #4, Har-
riston, Ont. NOG 1ZO. 519.338.2923.
BRIGHT IDEAS
Drill Fan
Slit a strip of rubber and slip it over the drill
bit. When you start to work, the rubber acts
as a fan, keeping the shavings and waste away
from your work. You have a better view of
your work at all times. Any "bright ideas" to
share? Please submit to The Rural Voice,
R.R. 1, Dungannon, Ont. NOM IRO.
PG. 32 THE RURAL VOICE, AUGUST 1983
lOr
See
your
area
dealer
Avondee Farm Supply
R. R. 1, Stratford 273-4072
Dublin Feed Mill
Dublin 345-2330
Durst Farm Centre
Clinton 482-7706
Fischer Feeder Service
R. R. 3, Mitchell 348-8725
Listowel Farm Supply
Listowel 291-2501
Lucknow Farm Supply
Lucknow 528-2331
Molesworth Farm Supply
Molesworth 291-3740
Morgan Brothers
R. R. 1, Hensall 235-1487
Perth County Farm Supplies
Milverton 595-8905
Millbank 595-8911
Brunner 595-8251
Ryan Drying Ltd., Walton
Brussels 887-9261
Seaforth 527-0527
Topnotch Feeds
Seaforth 527-1910
Wroxeter 335-3555
Twin County Feeds
Owen Sound 376-4213
Tara 934-3122