ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
adaptation
;
bicarbonate
;
genotypic variation
;
grain legumes
;
pH
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Defining plant adaptation to soil conditions is critical for the successful introduction of grain legume species into farming systems. This nutrient solution study examined the effects of pH (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) and bicarbonate (5 mM KHCO3) on the growth and nodulation of 14 grain legume species supplied with N or reliant on N2-fixation. Species includedPisum sativum L.,Cicer arietinum L.,Lens culinaris Med., and a range ofLupinus, Vicia andLathyrus species. Species differed greatly in response to solution pH. For both N-fertilized and N2-fixing plants, shoot growth ofL. culinaris was very sensitive to low pH (pH 〈 7), whereas shoot growth ofLupinus angustifolius L. andLupinus albus L. was sensitive to higher pH (pH ≥ 6). Other species had a broader optimal pH range for growth when supplied with N, but were generally sensitive to low pH (pH 〈 7 forC. arietinum andVicia sativa L., pH 〈 6 forP. sativum, Vicia faba L.,Lathyrus sativus L. andLathyrus cicera L., and pH 〈 5 forVicia benghalensis L. andVicia narbonensis L.) when reliant on N2-fixation. For these other species, symbiotic N2-fixation appeared to be more sensitive than host plant growth to low pH. This finding was supported by lower nodule numbers and mass, and lower N concentrations in shoots of sensitive species at low pH relative to higher pH. ForL. culinaris, nodule numbers and mass were relatively unaffected by pH 5–8, N concentrations in shoots were high at low pH and plants developed symptoms relating to H+ toxicity at pH as high as 7. These results indicate that host plant growth ofL. culinaris is more sensitive to low pH than theRhizobium symbiosis. ForL. albus andL. angustifolius, both host plant growth and symbiotic N2-fixation appeared to be equally sensitive to pH ≥ 6.Lupinus pilosus Murr. was more tolerant of high pH than the otherLupinus species. At pH 4, two genotypes ofC. arietinum had better early nodulation than other species.Vicia ervilia L. nodulated poorly at all levels of solution pH, indicating that the commercial Group E inoculum (Rhizobium leguminosurum bv.viceae SU303) may not be effective for this species in solution culture. Addition of bicarbonate decreased shoot growth, nodulation and N concentrations in shoots of most species. Early nodulation (nodule number) ofLathyrus ochrus (L.) DC was not affected by the bicarbonate treatment.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02415527
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