Species vs. strains - what’s the difference?
Because nitrogen inoculants work by infecting a plant root, each pulse crop associates with a different Rhizobia species. For example, pea and lentil will only form nodules when inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum; lucerne and sweetclover when inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti.
The Natural Rhizobia Program co-ordinates and conducts on-going research to find the best strains for each legume crop in Australia. These are then listed as recommended by inoculant group.
| Legume Crops | Inoculant Species | Inoculant Group |
| Pea | Rhizobium leguminosarum | Group E |
| Lentil, Faba Bean | Rhizobium leguminosarum | Group F |
| Chickpea | Mesorhizobium ciceri | Group N |
