Research evaluation and impact analysis of biological nitrogen fixation

Abstract

IntroductionLimited adoption of inoculation technology Assessment of "need to-inoculate" Abstract Although viable Rhizobium inoculation technology for cultivated legumes has long been available, there has been little sustained adoption of this technology in tropical regions. Reasons contributing to this include inadequate demonstration of the technology, presence of adequate native rhizobia, high soil mineral nitrogen levels which suppress nitrogen fixation, inadequate quality control of Rhizobium inoculum and difficulties of inoculating under 280 tropical conditions. In order to ensure a better adoption rate of existing or emerging biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) technologies, it is proposed that future research and development efforts better focus on the researchadoption-impact continuum. The salient features of this approach are described in this paper, using the example of recently developed nodulation variants in chickpea as a potential means of increasing BNF in this crop. It is suggested that previous experience with Rhizobium inoculation technology is amenable to ex-post impact analysis to analyze bottlenecks, and that ex-ante impact analysis should be built into on-going or planned BNF research, to better ensure that technology adoption occurs.

From Best Fit Technologies to Best Fit Scaling: Incorporating and Evaluating Factors Affecting the Adoption of Grain Legumes in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…The potential components of the agricultural research and development system include institutions such as governmental extension system, governmental agricultural research organisations, international agricultural research organisations, universities, non-governmental organisations, producer federations and community-based organisations that have a role in agricultural or rural development, as well as the models and approaches that these institutions use to increase crop productivity, build soil fertility, raise farm incomes and improve the nutritional status of farming families (Abate et al , 2011; Ajayi et al , 2007; Bantilan and Johansen, 1995, Chianu et al , 2011; Mhango et al , 2013; Nyemeck Binam et al , 2011; Shelton et al , 2005; Snapp et al , 2002a; Spielman et al , 2011; Wambugu et al , 2011).…”

Variations in infectivity of indigenous rhizobial isolates of some soils in the rainforest zone of Nigeria

“…Bantilan et al (1995) reported that rhizobium inoculum technique is not often successful in the tropics as a result of inadequate demonstration of the technology, presence of adequate native rhizobia, high soil mineral nitrogen level which suppresses N fixation, inadequate quality control of rhizobium inocula and difficulty in inoculation under tropical conditions. In order to proffer solution to this problem, it is imperative to identify indigenous rhizobial strains that are effective in N fixation.…”