COBALT FERTILIZATION IN ORDER TO PROMOTE NITROGEN FIXATION IN ANNUAL FORAGE LEGUMES

Abstract

The work aimed was to analyze the importance and possibilities of using cobalt for fertilizing annual forage legumes. Cobalt in small concentrations in the soil has a positive effect on the processes of nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Therefore, its addition as fertilizer, especially on acidic soils, has a positive effect on the growth, yield, and quality of leguminous plants. Optimum concentrations of cobalt in the soil solution vary depending on the plant species and range from 8 to 50 ppm. Higher concentrations of cobalt in most annual forage legumes result in a toxic effect.