Nitrogen fixation in annual Trifolium species in alkaline soils as assessed by the 15N natural abundance method
Matthew D. Denton A D , David R. Coventry A , William D. Bellotti A B and John G. Howieson C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Waite Research Institute, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia.
B Current address: School of Natural Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Bourke St, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia.
C The Centre for Rhizobium Studies, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: matthew.denton@adelaide.edu.au
Crop and Pasture Science 62(8) 712-720 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP11039
Submitted: 14 February 2011 Accepted: 14 June 2011 Published: 13 September 2011
Abstract
Annual clover species such as Trifolium purpureum Loisel., T. resupinatum L., and T. alexandrinum L. are adapted to alkaline soil conditions and provide certain agronomic advantages over annual medics (Medicago spp.). Annual clovers have not been widely grown in alkaline soils in Australia, and quantifying their dinitrogen (N2) fixation in alkaline soils is important in understanding their potential role in mixed farming systems of southern Australia. Using the 15N natural abundance technique, it was estimated that annual clovers fixed 101–137 kg N/ha at Roseworthy and 59–62 kg N/ha at Mallala, on Calcarosols with soil pH of 8.0 and 8.5, respectively. Species differed in the percentages of fixed N2 estimated in shoot dry matter, which was highest in T. alexandrinum (77–85%), moderate in T. resupinatum (76%), and lowest in T. purpureum (65–74%). Naturally occurring soil rhizobia (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii) provided adequate nodulation, as inoculation with different strains of rhizobia had little influence on nodulation or N2 fixation. These results indicate that clovers can provide a significant contribution of fixed N2 to mixed farming systems. Examination of nodules indicated variable nodule occupancy by the inoculant rhizobia and that 69% of shoot N was fixed when clovers were nodulated by the soil populations of rhizobia. A simple model is defined to identify the potential interactions between inoculated legumes and soil rhizobia, and the options for enhancing symbiotic effectiveness are discussed.
Additional keywords: clover, inoculation, legume, nodule, rhizobia, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, Trifolium alexandrinum, Trifolium purpureum, Trifolium resupinatum.
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