SCIENTIFIC AND LEGISLATIVE QUALITY-CONTROL OF LEGUME INOCULANTS FOR LENTIL AND FIELD PEA

Canadian research showing the agronomic benefit of superior strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum for lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and Canadian legislated standards (The Fertilizers Act) for quality control of legume inoculants has encouraged the inoculant industry to produce high quality legume inoculants in both the USA and Canada. As a result, proper inoculation of lentil and field pea under conditions of low (< 30 Ib nitrate-N/acre) soil-available N now can predictably result in seed yield increases of approximately 200 lb/acre for lentil and 400 lb/acre for field peas in Idaho and western Canada. This represents a return on investment for inoculation of approximately $17 (lentil) and $27 (pea)/acre at current market prices. This paper documents the research and legislated quality control standards which have resulted in the establishment of a new and dynamic legume inoculant industry in western Canada and describes strategies used by the industry to develop superior legume inoculants.