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Origins of our research interests
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- All legumes so far
tested show genetic variation in the ability to fix
N2, but commercial varieties of Phaseolus
beans in particular can be limited in this trait; rates
of fixation for both beans and soybeans in the U.S. appear to be declining, in part at least because of overuse of N fertilizer.
- Edaphic constraints to nodule formation and N2
fixation are common in third world agriculture, and increasingly
evident in the USA (i.e. Central Minnesota).
- There are emerging issues in inoculant production, formulation,
and use. Farmers want products that are easier to use, can
be stored longer, and are not affected by contact with fungicides
or fertilizers. It is not at all certain that all these expectations can be met.
- N2 fixation is often used as an important example
of below ground diversity and function by ecologists, but
often approached used faulty assumptions.
- There is some overlap between the microsymbionts
of bean and specific prairie legumes.
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