Effect of drought on the growth and survival ofRhizobium melilotistrains from Pakistan and Nepal

Growth and survival of 10 strains ofRhizobium melilotiDang. from Pakistan and Nepal were evaluated for their survival under drought in vials filled with sterile soil maintained at −0•03, −1•0 and −1•5 MPa. Rhizobia in the soil-filled vials were enumerated at 0, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days after inoculation. The highest numbers of rhizobia per g of soil were observed at −0•03 MPa followed by soil maintained at −1•0 and −1•5 MPa. Strains UL 136 and UL 222 survived the best under drought and should be considered for commercial inoculant production in Pakistan.