Rhizobial Inoculation Increases Soil Microbial Functioning and Gum Arabic Production of 13-Year-Old Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton, Trees in the North Part of Senegal.

Rhizobial inoculation has been widely used in controlled conditions as a substitute for chemical fertilizers to increase plants growth and productivity. However, very little is known about such effects on mature trees in natural habitats. In this study, we investigated the effect of rhizobial inoculation on soil total microbial biomass, mineral nitrogen content, potential CO2 respiration, fluorescein diacetate (FDA), acid phosphatase activities, and gum arabic production by 13-year-old Senegalia senegal (synonym: Acacia senegal) under natural conditions in the north part of Senegal during two consecutive years. Rhizobial inoculation was performed at the beginning of the rainy season (July) for both years with a cocktail of four strains (CIRADF 300, CIRADF 301, CIRADF 302, and CIRADF 303). Rhizospheric soils were collected in both dry and rainy seasons to a depth of 0-25 cm under uninoculated and inoculated trees. Trees were tapped in November (beginning of dry season) using traditional tools. Gum arabic was harvested every 15 days from December to March. The results obtained from both years demonstrated that rhizobial inoculation increased significantly the percentage of trees producing gum arabic, gum arabic production per tree, soil microbial biomass, FDA, and acid phosphatase activities. However, there was no significant effect on C mineralization and mineral nitrogen (N) content. Gum arabic production was positively correlated to rainfall, soil microbial biomass, and mineral nitrogen content. Our results showed a positive effect of rhizobial inoculation on soil microbial functioning and gum arabic production by mature S. senegal trees. These important findings deserve to be conducted in several contrasting sites in order to improve gum arabic production and contribute to increase rural population incomes.

Effect of distance and depth on microbial biomass and mineral nitrogen content under Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. trees.

The relations between plants and soil biota involve positive and negative feedbacks between soil organisms, their chemical environment, and plants. Then, characterization of microbial community functioning is important to understand these relations. An experiment was conducted in a field system in the north of Senegal for two years (2005 and 2006) in order to investigate the effect of depth and distance from Acacia senegal tree stem on soil microbial biomass and inorganic-N content. Soils were sampled during dry season (April, T(0)) and wet season (August, T(1)) along transects (R(0), foot tree; R(/2,) approximately 0.50 m distance from the stem; and R, approximately 1 m distance from the stem) and at different layers: 0-25 cm, 25-50 cm and 50-75 cm of A. senegal trees rhizosphere. Total microbial biomass and inorganic-N content were negatively correlated to the distance from tree stem and the depth. The highest values of microbial biomass and mineral nitrogen were found at the foot tree (R(0)) and at 0-25 cm layer. Inorganic-N was mostly in nitrate form (NO(3)(-)) during the dry season. In contrast, during the wet season, inorganic-N was dominated by ammoniac form (NH(4)(+)). Soil total microbial biomass and inorganic-N (NH(4)(+)+NO(3)(-)) were negatively correlated. Our results suggest a positive influence of A. senegal rhizosphere on soil microbial biomass and inorganic-N content.