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and development (Nutman, 1977; Verma et al., 1992) and formation (Kefford et al., 1960) of

root nodules during the course of symbiosis. Development of a successful symbiosis is the
results of a complex series of interactions within the host tissues between the host and the

symbiont (Pellock et al., 2000). The successful symbiotic establishment with leguminous host
plants depends on the production of Nod factor signals and exposure of the correct surface

and/or extracellular polysaccharide (EPS), which involved in root hair infection and nodule
formation (Phillip-Hollingsworth et al., 1989). Leguminous plants possessed large numbers

of microbes in its rhizospheric area including Rhizobium sp. which help in the development

of root nodules. Several factors like soil pH, soil moisture, C and N ratio, organic matter
content, numbers of nodule etc. were found to influence the rhizosphere of the legume.

Rhizobium sp. could increase the percentage of organic carbon into soil in several ways

including the decomposition of mature root nodules, besides increasing the soil nitrogen
content.

Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Mung bean), also known as green gram, is one of the
important legumes cultivated for its edible seeds and sprouts across Asia. The plant is also

widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas of the World for its edible seeds and
economic benefit. The well-known economic plant is often used in mixed cropping system

and thereby crop rotation to provide nitrogen, improve soil fertility and control pest and

diseases (Widowati et al., 2019). Mung bean has immense nutritional value due to its high
protein contents and is consumed in the form of whole seeds, split peeled seeds and sprouts

(Bhutani et al., 2018). The present work has shed some light on changes of the edaphic
factors of soil surrounding root system of mung bean. The changes take place in the content

of nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, soil moisture etc. during the growth and nodulation of the
plant in the soil and IAA metabolism in root and nodule.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The pulse legume Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Mung bean) was selected for study. The
certified seeds were collected from a reputed seed-selling centre of Burdwan, WB. The plants

were grown in experimental plots, different places in experimental plots were selected for

collection of soil samples before plantation and after the decomposition of nodules. Soil
o
samples were dried in hot air oven for 3-4 h at 75±2 C. Dried soil samples were stored in
sterile plastic bags till analysed.

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