ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
Al
;
Ca
;
Lotus
;
Mn
;
N
;
Nodulation
;
P
;
Pasture legumes
;
Root morphology
;
Soil pH
;
White clover
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Effects of increasing rates of lime (0, 900, 1725, and 3000 kg Ca(OH)2/ha producing soil pH of 4.0, 4.7, 5.1 and 5.6) and P (50, 150, 250 and 350 kg P/ha) on top and root yield, root morphology and chemical composition of lotus (Lotus pedunculatus Cav.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), were studied, using an acid soil in a greenhouse experiment. Increasing rates of applied lime and phosphate resulted in substantial increases in top yields of both species but concomitant increases in root yield were small. In the unlimed soil, lotus out-yielded (tops and roots) white clover at all P levels. However, in the three limed treatments, white clover clearly out-yielded lotus. Yield response curves to applied P levelled off at the two highest lime rates for lotus but not for white clover. Nodulation and N content of white clover increased significantly with increasing lime applications, but for lotus there was a significant decrease in nodulation at the highest lime rate. Increased P rates had a small stimulatory effect on nodulation in both species. Of the total root weight, the percentage contribution of the tap and primary lateral root fractions was smaller and that of the secondary plus tertiary lateral roots was greater for lotus than for white clover although root length per unit weight tended to be larger for white clover at the two highest lime rates. Furthermore, lotus possessed longer and more numerous root hairs than white clover. Lime applications significantly decreased the percentage contribution of the tap and primary lateral roots to the total root weight and increased the percentage contribution of the secondary plus tertiary lateral roots. Al and Mn contents of tops and roots of both species decreased with increasing lime rates. There was a highly significant negative correlation between relative yield and Al content of lotus and white clover tops. In comparison with the limed treatments, in the unlimed treatments a greater percentage of total P, Al, Mn and N content accumulated in the roots of both species. In addition, lotus accumulated a much greater percentage Al in its roots than white clover.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02374088
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