Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Little information is available on the effects of low pH on nodulation and growth of subterranean clover cultivars. Plants of 11 cultivars were inoculated with an acid-tolerant strain of Rhizobium trifolii and grown for 28 days in continuously flowing nitrogen-free nutrient solutions maintained at six constant pH values from 4.0 to 6.5. At pH 4.0, 4 cultivars failed to nodulate and the remainder formed only a few nodules; nodulation was delayed by 2 to 3 days in this treatment. All cultivars nodulated at pH 4.5 but, with the exception of cv. Dwalganup, nodule numbers were significantly less than at pH;,,, 5.0. Only in cvv. Clare and Woogenellup were nodule numbers significantly greater at pH 6.5 than at 5 .0. Whole plant dry matter yields were strongly depressed at pH 4.0 (21 to 33% of maximum). At pH 4.5, yields of all cultivars except Dwalganup were significantly depressed also. These results are consistent with the view that nodulation and growth of plants dependent on symbiotic nitrogen fixation are much more sensitive to low pH per se than is host plant growth in the presence of adequate mineral nitrogen.
Citation
Kim, Moo-Key; Edwards, D G.; Date, R A.; and Asher, C J., "Effects of pH on Nodulation and Growth of Subterranean Clover Cultivars" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 40.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses6/40)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of pH on Nodulation and Growth of Subterranean Clover Cultivars
Kyoto Japan
Little information is available on the effects of low pH on nodulation and growth of subterranean clover cultivars. Plants of 11 cultivars were inoculated with an acid-tolerant strain of Rhizobium trifolii and grown for 28 days in continuously flowing nitrogen-free nutrient solutions maintained at six constant pH values from 4.0 to 6.5. At pH 4.0, 4 cultivars failed to nodulate and the remainder formed only a few nodules; nodulation was delayed by 2 to 3 days in this treatment. All cultivars nodulated at pH 4.5 but, with the exception of cv. Dwalganup, nodule numbers were significantly less than at pH;,,, 5.0. Only in cvv. Clare and Woogenellup were nodule numbers significantly greater at pH 6.5 than at 5 .0. Whole plant dry matter yields were strongly depressed at pH 4.0 (21 to 33% of maximum). At pH 4.5, yields of all cultivars except Dwalganup were significantly depressed also. These results are consistent with the view that nodulation and growth of plants dependent on symbiotic nitrogen fixation are much more sensitive to low pH per se than is host plant growth in the presence of adequate mineral nitrogen.
