Field studies were conducted to determine if trifluralin [α,α,α-trifluro-2,6,-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine] and metribuzin [4-amino-6-tert-butyl-3-(methylthio)-a5-triazin-5(4H)one] affect the growth and nitrogen self sufficiency of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Metribuzin applied at 0.42 kg/ha as a pre-plant incorporated treatment resulted in substantial crop injury in 1981. Compared to the inoculated control, overall reductions averaged over the entire growing season, in plant dry weight, nodule dry weight, nitrogenase activity, and yield due to metribuzin were 59, 85, 92, and 65%, respectively. In 1982 metribuzin at 0.4 kg/ha was not as phytotoxic. Averaged over the season, the reductions recorded in plant dry weight, nodule dry weight, nitrogenase activity, and yield were 25, 33, 49, and 9%, respectively. The differences in phytotoxicity in the 2 yr at the two sites were attributed to differences in soil organic matter, and both the degree and timing of rainfall. During both years trifluralin did not cause any significant reductions in the parameters investigated. Reductions in nodulation and nitrogen fixation as a result of metribuzin application were evident only when the crop was injured and the plants were under stress from herbicide application. Trifluralin at 1.1 kg/ha reduced the phytotoxicity caused by metribuzin when the two chemicals were tank mixed. In 1981 there was a 23% yield improvement with the tank mix compared to metribuzin applied alone. In 1982, non-significant decreases in phytotoxicity with the tank mix were evident for the parameters studied. This reduced phytotoxicity may be explained on the basis of lateral root inhibition attributable to the trifluralin in the tank mix as was evident in the growth room study. The tank mix of trifluralin and metribuzin at 1.1 and 0.4 kg/ha, respectively, caused a 56% reduction in total root length compared to the inoculated control one week after emergence. Conversely, the total root length of the plants receiving only the 0.4 kg/ha rate of metribuzin did not differ significantly from the control. This may allow for greater herbicide uptake in the plants treated with only metribuzin leading to a greater level of injury.Key words: Faba bean, growth, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, trifluralin, metribuzin
SYMBIOTIC NITROGEN FIXATION OF FABA BEAN PLANTS INOCULATED WITH SALT-TOLERANT Rhizobium ISOLATES