Nodulation in Rhynchosia schimperi: A Rare Legume of Indian Thar Desert

Rhycnhosia schimperi Hochst. ex Boiss. is a rare plant of Indian Thar Desert and mostly confined to the Jaisalmer and Barmer district of Rajasthan. There are least information is available on the nodulation in it. In India the comprehensive study on nodulation in native legumes of Thar Desert was done by Gehlot et. al. in 2012. In which they have reported nodulation in more than 30 native legumes (excluding Rhynchosia schimperi) with detail study on the morphology & histology of nodules and their associated rhizobia. The present investigation was done to know the nodulation status as well as the morphology & histology of nodules and their associated micro-symbionts in Rhynchosia schimperi. The study reveal good amount of nodulation was found in it. The nodules were found perennial and mucunoid type and mainly two types of bacteria viz. fast growing probably Ensifer sp. and slow growing Badirhizobium sp. were found in it.