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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Miami, Florida » Subtropical Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413587
Research Project: Conservation, Management, Characterization, and Distribution of Subtropical and Tropical Ornamental Genetic Resources

Location: Subtropical Horticulture Research

Title: Studying the efficacy of bradyrhizobium colonization in pigeon pea cover crops

Author
item CENDAN, LUIS - Florida International University
item Brym, Maria
item Nageswara Rao, Madhugiri
item KHODDAMZADEH, AMIR - Florida International University

Submitted to: Annual Graduate Research Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/16/2024
Publication Date: 2/16/2024
Citation: Cendan, L.A., Brym, M.M., Nageswara Rao, M., Khoddamzadeh, A. 2024. Studying the efficacy of bradyrhizobium colonization in pigeon pea cover crops. Annual Graduate Research Forum, Floriday International University, february 16, 2024. Miami, Florida.

Interpretive Summary: Abstract Only

Technical Abstract: Regenerative agriculture involves practices that improve soil health, optimize nutrient cycling, and work in harmony with the local soil ecology to increase crop production. One of the techniques utilized in regenerative agriculture is green manure (GM), where crops are mulched into the soil while they are still green. Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is identified as an effective green manure in the production of tomato crops, which are one of Florida's most important industries. Pigeon pea GM reduces the occurrence of bacterial wilt and soft rot, and it promotes root nodule formation, which fixes nitrogen. This study used species-specific molecular markers and three primer pairs targeting Bradyrhizobium (a nitrogen-fixing bacteria) 16s RNA characteristic sequences to visualize banding on colony PCR. Commercial and ornamental tomato plants treated with pigeon pea GM resulted in significantly taller plants. Florida is a significant agricultural producer of tomatoes, but it is also among the states most severely threatened by sea level rise and saltwater intrusion into soil systems. Therefore, it is of critical importance to investigate the effectiveness of regenerative methods like pigeon pea GM in enhancing crop health under salt stress for Florida's agricultural and economic future.