ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
acetylene reduction
;
faba beans
;
herbicide
;
Mediterranean
;
nitrogen fixation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract The effects of the herbicide methabenzthiazuron (175 and 220 g ha-1) on vegetative and reproductive growth, nodulation and nitrogenase activity of Vicia faba were studied in the field under Mediterranean conditions. Nitrogenase activity of excised nodules was estimated using the acetylene reduction assay four times during the developmental period. Leaf area index, dry weight and nitrogen content of the different parts of the plants were measured. Methabenzthiazuron-treated plants showed an increase in nodulation, nitrogenase activity and vegetative growth at early pod fill. Methabenzthiazuron also caused an increase in leaf N content and fruits. These were transient effects found during early and mid pot fill. Nevertheless, plants treated with these sublethal doses of herbicide improved seed production and nitrogen content of seeds at harvest time. The stimulatory effect of methabenzthiazuron on N2 fixation and vegetative growth seems not be related with the transient stimulatory effect on photosynthetic capacity, also caused by the herbicide, since the stimulatory effect on N2 fixation was apparent during pod fill, when photosynthetic capacity declined and was not modified by methabenzthiazuron.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00012880
Permalink
