Effect of Soil Moisture Regime on Nodulation of Inoculated Peanuts¹

Abstract

Abstract A two‐year investigation on the effect of soil moisture regime (as conditioned by irrigation timing) and the depth of placement of inoculum on peanut inoculation was carried out in the northern Negev area of Israel. The inoculation was performed at planting time by introducing the bacterial suspension into the moist soil. The repeated drying‐out of the upper soil layers during irrigation cycles did not inhibit the process of nodulation. The placement of the inoculum at a depth of 12 cm resulted in poorer nodulation than at a depth of 3–4 cm, despite the higher soil moisture at the greater depth. Inoculation maintained a more favorable supply of nitrogen to the plants than did a 85 kg/1000 m 2 application of ammonium sulfate and resulted in higher yields and better quality of peanuts.