Extrapolations on the Use of Rhizobium Inoculants Supplemented with Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) on Growth and Nutrition of Legumes

Abstract

Land scarcity and poor farming management practices has resulted in to intensive agriculture which rendered most of the soil in sub Saharan Africa depleted in essential plant nutrients. High prices of chemical fertilizer are crucial bottleneck toward increasing production of legumes and other food crops in most countries found in sub-Saharan Africa. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are among the most limiting nutrients for plant growth as they play different but crucial roles in the plant physiological processes. These macronutrients are fundamental components of cell building blocks including genes and chromosomes. This review intend to show the vital roles played by rhizobial inoculants supplemented with phosphorus and potassium in enhancing growth, yield, photosynthesis, nodulation, nutrient uptake and nitrogen fixation of legumes.