Nitrogen nodules on broad beans

[Monika]

I noticed something really odd when pulling out the broad bean roots: this year we grew Witkiem Manita, Masterpiece Green Longpod and Exhibition Longpod. They were all cut down to almost ground level about 4 weeks ago after the last few stragglers were harvested. Hoping that all the nitrogen nodules had by now been washed off/dispersed into the ground, I pulled the old roots out on Sunday. Now the strange thing - Witkiem Manita and Masterpiece Green Longpod had no nitrogen nodules on the roots at all (never had any or by now disappeared), but the Exhibition Longpod plants had copious nodules and some rally large clumps of nitrogen on the roots. I wonder why? Can anybody explain?

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Monika, now that's an interesting observation, i wonder if it is just the variety that is making the difference, or whether the nodules have dissolved already.

I have still got some Bunyards Exhibition roots in the ground, i will be checking them to see what they are like.

[Geoff]

Pulled up some Masterpiece Green Longpod at the weekend and they were covered with nodules.