A comparison of the effect of combined nitrogen on nodulation in non-legumes and legumes

Summary

1. The effect of the presence of combined (ammonium) nitrogen in the rooting medium on nodule development has been investigated inAlnus glutinosa andMyrica gale, the plants being grown by a water culture technique with provision for the control of the level of combined nitrogen and of pH. For purposes of comparison a similar experiment with a legume (Ulex europaeus) has been included.

2. In some instances the differential treatment with combined nitrogen was commenced and inoculation effected at an early stage in plant development, while in others the plants were grown on to a larger size before these treatments were applied.

3. In the two non-legumes the presence of combined nitrogen led to an increase in the weight of nodulus formed per plant, at least at the lower levels of nitrogen. Relative to the enhanced growth of the plant as a whole, nodule development was continuously depressed as the level of combined nitrogen was increased.

4. InUlex when the nitrogen status of the plants at the time of inoculation was similar to that in the corresponding non-legume experiment, the above responses were also shown by the legume. It is concluded thatAlnus andMyrica resemble legumes closely in their responses to combined nitrogen.

5. The data show that inAlnus the effect of a given level of combined nitrogen on nodulation depends on the nitrogen status of the plant at the time of inoculation, the adverse effect tending to be stronger if the plant is initially relatively high in nitrogen. This suggests that as in legumes the effect of the combined nitrogen is exerted internally in the plant tissues.