Abstract
This study was conducted to isolate and characterize the Rhizobial strains from alfalfa (Medicago sp.). Of six strains isolated from alfalfa plants, only four were found capable of nodulation. They were confirmed to be Rhizobium meli/oti by examining their growth rate, morphological characteristics, and carbon source utilization potential. A comparison among the local strains and exotic strain TAL-1373 was also made. Some of the local strains proved equally efficient as the exotic strain, TAL-1373, for their capability of nodulation, nitrogen fixation and carbon source utilization. Key words: alfalfa, Rhizobial strains