RhizoFix® RF-70
New: RhizoFix® RF-70 – the inoculant for your chickpeas
RhizoFix® RF-70
for chickpeas (Cicer arietinum)
With RhizoFix® RF-70, we are adding a liquid inoculant specifically for chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) to our range of seed inoculants. RF-70 contains a rhizobia strain of the genus Mesorhizobium selected by us and is also approved for organic farming. In our trials, inoculated chickpeas produced more than four times the dry matter of untreated plants.
Why you should inoculate chickpeas
Chickpeas can only fix atmospheric nitrogen when suitable nodule bacteria colonise their roots. The chickpea is selective here: it forms its symbiosis with bacteria of the genus Mesorhizobium. Rhizobia from other legumes such as peas, field beans or soya are of no use to it.
On fields where chickpeas have not been grown before, these bacteria are usually absent from the soil. With RF-70, you bring the right partner directly on the seed. This makes it possible to grow chickpeas even on land with no natural rhizobia population or previous chickpea cropping.
In the root nodules, the bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen the plant can use. This benefits the crop, the protein yield and, through an improved soil nitrogen status, the following crop as well.
Our own rhizobia strains, from our own research
Over recent years, we have carried out intensive research into developing our own rhizobia strains. We selected the best strains from a large number of laboratory and field trials.
Our aim in this selection: strains that form the symbiosis with the legume as quickly as possible while also delivering optimum yields. The strain in RF-70 is suited to Central European climatic conditions.
What our trials show
In our yield measurement, chickpeas inoculated with RF-70 reached an average dry matter of 9.92 g, compared with just 2.36 g for the untreated controls. That is more than four times as much.
Numerous active nodules formed on the roots of the inoculated plants. They are the visible sign of a successful symbiosis between chickpea and rhizobia.
Your benefits with RhizoFix® RF-70
- Yield: higher yields than without inoculation, yield security and increased protein yields
- Nodulation: significantly more nodules and earlier, higher nitrogen fixation
- Crop: more vigorous growth, robust plants and improved stress tolerance
- Nitrogen: improved soil nitrogen status, better nitrogen availability for the following crop and reduced fertiliser requirement
- Handling: ready to use and easy to apply; direct contact with the seed means rapid colonisation of the roots
- Organic farming: also approved for organic farming
How to apply RF-70
RF-70 is ready to use and should be applied immediately before sowing. Distributing it as evenly as possible over the seed is essential; a pump sprayer or similar can help.
- Shake the bottle well.
- Pour or spray the contents evenly over the quantity of seed to be treated.
- Mix the treated seed thoroughly several times.
- Sow the seed promptly, within 24 hours at the latest.
Please also note:
- The better you mix after inoculation, the better the distribution and nodulation. However, avoid excessive mechanical stress, as it reduces germination capacity.
- If the seed is not sown within 24 hours, it should be re-inoculated.
- Store the inoculant and treated seed cool (6 °C) and protect them from direct sunlight.
- Store any leftover product cool (6 °C) and use it within one week. Do not use RF-70 after the expiry date or if it has been stored incorrectly.
- Take care with contractors' seed drills: residues of seed treatment products can damage the nodule bacteria adhering to the seed.
- Do not overdose, as this can cause clumping. Adjust the application rate when treating seed mixtures.
- Keep out of reach of children and animals.
Product data at a glance
| Feature | Details |
| Crop | Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) |
| Rhizobia | Mesorhizobium sp. |
| Contents | 500 ml |
| Application rate | 500 ml per 100 kg of seed |
| Sufficient for | 100 kg of seed, i.e. 1 ha at a seed rate of 100 kg/ha |
| Storage | cool at 6 °C, protected from sunlight |
| Organic farming | approved |
| Article number | 5270 |
Questions about RF-70? Give us a call!
Whether you have questions about RhizoFix®, rhizobia or seed inoculation in general, our team will be happy to advise you.
| Contact | Role | Telephone | |
| Michael Sulk | Seed inoculation adviser | +49 162 / 4626 682 | rhizofix@freudenberger.net |
| Benedikt Blumenraht | Sales contact | +49 2151 / 4417 229 | b.blumenraht@freudenberger.net |