Publication Date
1989
Description
The energy level actually achieved at any site in grassland is governed by the mass flow of nitrogen (N) through the biota (O'Connor, 1967). As nitrogen limits pasture production, at all stages of pasture development, the aim of pasture management is to maintain the maximum amount of effective nitrogen in the system (Jackman, 1971). Prospects for increasing symbiotic N fixation in temperate grasslands have been reviewed (Ball and Crush, 1985). Of two strategies, growing more legume or reducing the legumes ability to use mineral nitrogen, the former was favoured. This was because mineral nitrogen is thought to be important, in short term recovery from stresses like defoliation or drought, which can damage the symbiosis. This report presents the mean seasonal N fixation data from a series of farmlet experiments and discusses a plant breeding strategy for increased nitrogen fixation.
Citation
Crush, J R., "Legume Breeding Strategy for Increased Nitrogen Fixation in New Zealand Temperate Pastures" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 9.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session2/9
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Legume Breeding Strategy for Increased Nitrogen Fixation in New Zealand Temperate Pastures
The energy level actually achieved at any site in grassland is governed by the mass flow of nitrogen (N) through the biota (O'Connor, 1967). As nitrogen limits pasture production, at all stages of pasture development, the aim of pasture management is to maintain the maximum amount of effective nitrogen in the system (Jackman, 1971). Prospects for increasing symbiotic N fixation in temperate grasslands have been reviewed (Ball and Crush, 1985). Of two strategies, growing more legume or reducing the legumes ability to use mineral nitrogen, the former was favoured. This was because mineral nitrogen is thought to be important, in short term recovery from stresses like defoliation or drought, which can damage the symbiosis. This report presents the mean seasonal N fixation data from a series of farmlet experiments and discusses a plant breeding strategy for increased nitrogen fixation.
