Nitrate inhibition of N(2) fixation and its effect on micronutrient accumulation in shoots of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Vedc) and Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum Harms.)

Although nitrate is known to inhibit nodulation and N(2) fixation in symbiotic legumes, little is known about its effect on the uptake and accumulation of trace elements such as Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 5 mM NO(3) (−) supply, either with or without rhizobial inoculation, on nodulation, nodule functioning and micronutrient levels in the shoots of soybean (Glycine max L.Merr.), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Vedc) and Kersting’s groundnut (Macrotyloma geocarpum Harm). The results showed reduction in plant growth, nodule formation and nodule dry matter by the supply of 5 mM NO(3) (−) to inoculated seedlings of all three species. Nitrate inhibition respectively caused 1.2, 1.4, and 1.5-fold decrease in nodule number per plant in Bambara groundnut, soybean and Kersting’s bean, which resulted in 2.3, 3.3 and 4.5-fold reduction in nodule dry weight of the test species (in that order). The application of 5 mM NO(3) (−) to soybean plants also resulted in 2.5, 4.0 and 5.4-fold decrease in shoot accumulation of Fe, Zn and Mn, respectively, when compared to the purely symbiotic control plants. Furthermore, we observed 1.3, 1.8 and 1.3-fold decreases in the concentration of Zn, Mn and Cu in shoots of inoculated Bambara groundnut with NO(3) (−) supply, levels lower than those found in soybean. With Kersting’s groundnut, shoot concentration of Fe, Zn and Cu were higher with the application of 5 mM NO(3) (−) to inoculated plants when compared to the purely symbiotic treatment, which was opposite to soybean. But pure NO(3) (−)feeding of this species respectively resulted in 2.0, 1.4 and 1.3-fold decreases in Fe, Zn and Cu relative to inoculated NO(3) (−)-fed plants. Clearly, NO(3) (−) supply to landraces/genotypes of the three legume species did not only inhibit nodule formation and functioning, it also reduced shoot micronutrient levels in soybean and Bambara groundnut, but not Kersting’s bean.