The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important pulse crop in Latin America, as well as in large parts of Asia and Africa. It is particularly important due to its ability, in symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria, to fix atmospheric nitrogen and due to its high nutrient value. Incorporating contributions from plant breeders, microbiologists, plant physiologists and soil scientists, this volume reports the results of an FAO/IAEA Coordinated Research Programme (1985--1991), whose main objective was to enhance yield and biological nitrogen fixation in common bean by reducing its reliance on soil and fertilizer nitrogen. The volume will be invaluable to scientists working on biological nitrogen fixation and legume production.

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Utilizing the potential for increased nitrogen fixation in common bean; F.A. Bliss. Effects of water stress on N2 fixation and grain yield of Phaseolus vulgaris L.; J.J. Peña-Cabriales. Effect of fungicides on survival of Rhizobium on seeds and the nodulation of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); M.L.G. Ramos, W.Q. Ribeiro Jr., J.A. Kipe-Nolt. Effect of different levels of mineral nitrogen on nodulation and N2 fixation of two cultivars of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); S. Müller, P.A.A. Pereira, P. Martin. Minimizing the effect of mineral nitrogen on biological nitrogen fixation in common bean by increasing nutrient levels; S.M. Tsai, R. Bonetti, S.M. Agbala, R. Rossetto. Response to inoculation and N fertilization for increased yield and biological nitrogen fixation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); P.M. da Silva, S.T. Tsai, R. Bonetti. Time course of N2 fixation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); J.J. Peña-Cabriales; O.A. Grageda-Cabrera, V. Kola, G. Hardarson. A field evaluation using the 15N isotope dilution method of lines of Phaseolus vulgaris L. bred for increased nitrogen fixation; J.A. Kipe-Nolt; K.E. Giller. Nitrogen fixation in breeding lines of Phaseolus vulgaris; J.A. Kipe-Nolt, H. Vargas, K.E. Giller. Variability in nitrogen fixation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropped with maize; S.M. Tsai, P.M. da Silva, W.L. Cabezas, R. Bonetti. Yield and biological nitrogen fixation of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Peru; A. Manrique, K. Manrique, J. Nakahodo. Mutation breeding of grain legumes; A. Micke. Breeding common bean for improved biological nitrogen fixation; F.A.Bliss. Genotypic variation in biological nitrogen fixation by common bean; G. Hardarson, F.A. Bliss, M.R. Cigales-Rivero, R.A. Henson, J.A. Kipe-Nolt, L. Longeri, A. Manrique, J.J. Peña-Cabriales, P. Pereira, S.M. Tsai, C.A. Sanabria. Measurements of N2 by common beans in Central Brazil as affected by different reference crops; R.A. Henson. Misconceptions and practical problems in the use of 15N soil enrichment techniques for estimating N2 fixation; S.K.A. Danso, G. Hardarson, F. Zapata. Methods for measuring biological nitrogen fixation in grain legumes; G. Hardarson, S.K.A. Danso. Methods for enhancing symbiotic nitrogen fixation; G. Hardarson.