IMPACT OF RHIZOBIUM INOCULATION ON LEGUME YIELD AND ITS RELEVANCE IN NEPALESE CROPPING SYSTEM: A REVIEW
ABSTRACT
Legumes are essential to Nepalese agriculture because they improve soil health, food security, and sustainable agricultural methods. Yet, issues including poor soil nitrogen levels and poor nutrient management limit the production of legumes. One method that shows promise for addressing these issues is Rhizobium inoculation, which is the process of introducing particular elite strains of Rhizobium bacteria to legume roots. The impact of Rhizobium inoculation on legume production and its necessity in the cropping system of Nepal are examined in this review paper. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of nitrogen fixation for legumes and presents an overview of the objectives and scope of Rhizobium inoculation, assessing current methods, inoculation efficacy, constraints, and environmental sustainability. The study also discusses the difficulties farmers encounter while administering inoculants and offers solutions to raise awareness and uptake. It addresses how inoculation affects nodulation, growth, and yield in Nepalese cropping systems, emphasizing both the advantages and difficulties experienced. In conclusion, Rhizobium inoculation emerges as a promising approach to enhance legume yield in Nepalese agriculture, offering sustainable solutions to address nutrient deficiencies and improve soil health. However, challenges such as competition from native rhizobia and environmental factors warrant further research and strategic interventions to maximize the benefits of inoculation, emphasizing the need for further research on optimizing inoculation practices and extending them to farmers’ levels.