Objectif Global concern indicates that economical development of a country should be biologically sustainable over the long term. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF), a microbial process which converts atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable forms, follows this recommendation. However, there are major technical and socio-economical obstacles to fully implement BNF technologies in forage and crop legumes. The main long term objective of this proposal is addressed to increase the yield of alfalfa crops to satisfy present needs of pastures found in both countries Argentinia and Uruguay. In Argentinia and Uruguay together, alfalfa cultures cover a total area of more than 4,5 million ha. Economical reasons, edaphological factors, acidity of soils, and a strong impoverishment of soil caused by inappropriate cultivation of fields have all contributed to strongly decrease the total cultured area in the last 50-70 years. This presentation is directed towards the improvement of alfalfa culture conditions in the region where acid soils strongly disturb plant production. In particular : - to select highly competitive Rhizobium meliloti strains under the environmental conditions of Argentinia and Uruguay. - to improve symbiotic nitrogen fixation by alfalfa in both countries. - to identify the genetic regions of the rhizobia involved in the competitive phenotype that is expressed in the local field situation. - to develop an inoculum, which can be produced by local companies, to improve BNF of alfalfa in acid soils of Argentinia and Uruguay. Champ scientifique agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureindustrial cropsfoddernatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethologybiological interactionsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedslegumes Programme(s) FP3-STD 3 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the life sciences and technologies for developing countries, 1990-1994 Thème(s) Data not available Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur Universität Bielefeld Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Universitätsstraße 25 33615 Bielefeld Allemagne Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (3) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Espagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 1,Profesor Albareda 18071 Granada Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Instituto de Investigaciones Biolsgicas Clemente Estable Uruguay Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 3318,Av. Italia 11600 Montevideo Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Universidad Nacional de La Plata Argentine Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 49 Y 50,Calles 115 1900 La Plata Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée