Comparative responses of indigenous, naturalized, and commercial legumes to phosphorus and sulphur

Abstract

A number of indigenous and naturalized legumes and commercial strains of white and subterranean clover were grown in pots in a glasshouse, using soil low in available phosphorous and sulphur. A basal dressing of other nutrients including nitrogen was added to all pots, and phosphorus and sulphur were in a factorial arrangement at two levels. Responses to phosphorus were much more pronounced for the commercial and naturalized legumes than for the indigenous ones, with the exception of Lespedeza cuncata. The response to sulphur, or to both phosphorus and sulphur together was restricted, with one exception (Psoralea tenax) to commercial and naturalized legumes. The results are consistent with the thesis that the indigenous legumes are adapted to soils of Low phosphorus and sulphur status and that naturalized legumes growing in such soils are able to respond to an application of these nutrients, as well as to outyield the indigenous species.