Each pulse species requires certain bacteria, usually a rhizobium inoculant, in order for plants to fix their own nitrogen. Once nodules form on the plant roots, those little factories can provide much of the crop’s N needs, but there are several decisions farmers have to make at seeding to ensure excellent nodulation, and there are key times to assess just how hard those nodules are working.
For this episode of the Pulse School, RealAgriculture’s Amber Bell is joined by BASF’s Nicole Fox to talk about different inoculant formulations, application techniques, where to look for nodules, and how to assess nodule health.
In some situations there is a risk of nodulation failure, so understanding the proper handling of inoculant and choosing the right type — liquid, in-furrow, peat, or granular — is key to success, says Fox.
While nodules will fix most of the nitrogen a crop needs, a soil test and starter fertilizer are still valuable tools, as nodules don’t begin fixing N until three to four weeks after seeding. What’s more, the pulse crop still needs sufficient phosphorus and other nutrients that could be lacking in the soil profile.
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