Field Pea – Inoculation
Purpose of Inoculation
One of the most important inputs for any pulse crop is inoculant. Inoculating field peas with the correct strain of rhizobium (Rhizobium leguminosarum) has the potential to fix up to 80% of nitrogen required through nitrogen fixation. Properly inoculated pea should not require any extra nitrogen fertilizer. Rhizobium leguminosarum strains will nodulate peas, faba beans, and lentils but some strains may be more effective on certain crops or certain varieties.
Rhizobium bacteria can live in the soil for a number of years. However, the most efficient nitrogen-fixing bacteria may not be among those that survive. Generally, native soil strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum are not the optimum strains. This reinforces the recommendation to inoculate each time peas are seeded. Western Canadian research indicates a significant yield response to inoculation of grain legumes in 30% to 50% of the cases. For this reason, most experienced pea producers use an inoculant on their pea crop every year.
Inoculant FormulationsField pea inoculants come in three formulations. Much research has been done on different formulations of inoculants for use with pea. Manufacturers may package the inoculant as either a mixed strain inoculant that contains a mixture of the strains, or a single-strain inoculant which contains only one rhizobia strain. In either case the best strains are chosen based on their ability to nodulate the crop on the label. All inoculant formulations will perform equally well if the inoculant is properly applied and if environmental conditions are ideal. Under adverse conditions the best performing formulation should be granular, followed by peat, and then liquid. |
|
TIMING |
|
Peat Powder Inoculant |
|
Liquid Inoculant |
|
Granular Soil Inoculant |
|
MAXIMIZING RHIBOZIA SURVIVABILITY |
|
How do I know if the inoculant was successful? |
|
TIMING |
|
HOW TO CHECK |
|
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? |
|
NATURALLY OCCURRING |
|
USE AT RECOMMENDED RATES |
|
WATCH – Nodulation Scoring Video
Resource
- Inoculant Options for Pulse Crops
- Intercropping Pulses with Mustard
- Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation Field Assessment Guide
- Pulse Nodulation, What is Needed for Best Results
- Top Dressing to Correct Nutrient Deficiencies
Special thank you to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.