Abstract
A field experiment was performed in eastern Kenya to estimate N2 fixation by Sesbania sesban over an 18-month period using the 15N dilution method. The influence of three reference species, Senna spectabilis, Eucalyptus saligna and Grevillea robusta, on the estimates of N2 fixation was also assessed. Percentage Ndfa (nitrogen derived from the atmosphere) was calculated based on foliar atom excess (FAE), above-ground atom excess (AAE) or whole tree atom excess (WAE) data. The differences in atom% 15N excess values between species and plant parts are presented and discussed. We recommend the use of several reference species for estimating %Ndfa and that the different results obtained should be carefully considered in relation to the issues being addressed. In this study, Senna was the most suitable of the three reference species because its N uptake pattern and phenology were very similar to those of Sesbania. When well established, the amount of N fixed by Sesbania accounts for more than 80% of its total N content, according to FAE-based estimates. We estimated the Ndfa by Sesbania after 18 months to between 500 and 600 kg ha−1 , depending on whether FAE, AAE or WAE data were used and on the choice of reference species. The substantial accumulation of N in planted Sesbania highlighted its potential to increase the sustainability of crop production on N-limited soils. We consider the 15N dilution method to be appropriate for quantifying N2 fixation in improved fallows in studies, similar to this one, of young trees with high N2-fixing ability.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
F.K. Akinnifesi A.J.M. Smucker B.T. Kang (1999) ArticleTitleBelow-ground dynamics in agroforestry systems Ann. Arid Zone 38 239–273
R.M. Boddey M.B. Peoples B. Palmer P.J. Dart (2000) ArticleTitleUse of the 15N natural abundance technique to quantify biological nitrogen fixation in woody perennials Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst 57 235–270 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1009890514844
M.D. Busse (2000) ArticleTitleSuitability and use of the 15N-isotope dilution method to estimate nitrogen fixation by actinorhizal shrubs For. Ecol. Managem 136 85–95
P.M. Chalk J.K. Ladha (1999) ArticleTitleEstimation of legume symbiotic dependence: an evaluation of techniques based on 15N dilution Soil Biol. Biochem. 31 1901–1917 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0038-0717(99)00095-4 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXntVOitb8%3D
S.K.A. Danso F. Zapata K.O. Awonaike (1995) ArticleTitleMeasurement of biological N2 fixation in field-grown Robinia pseudoacacia L. Soil Biol. Biochem. 27 415–419 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0038-0717(95)98612-R Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXlt12rsLw%3D
S.M. Gathumbi G. Cadisch K.E. Giller (2002) ArticleTitle 15N natural abundance as a tool for assessing N2-fixation of herbaceous, shrub and tree legumes in improved fallows Soil Biol. Biochem. 34 1059–1071 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0038-0717(02)00038-X Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xlt1Oisbk%3D
S.M. Gathumbi G. Cadisch R.J. Buresh K.E. Giller (2003) ArticleTitleSubsoil nitrogen capture in mixed legume stands as assessed by deep nitrogen-15 placement Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 67 573–582 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXkslChsbw%3D
G. Gebauer B. Zeller C. Schmidt N. May N. Buchmann M. Colin-Belgrand E. Dambrine F. Martin E-D. Schulze P. Bottner (2000) The fate of 15N-labelled nitrogen inputs to coniferous and broadleaf forests E-D. Schulze (Eds) Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in European Forest Ecosystems Ecological Studies 142 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, Germany 144–170
G. Hardarson C. Atkins (2003) ArticleTitleOptimising biological N2 fixation by legumes in farming systems Plant Soil 252 41–54 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1024103818971 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXksFWgurw%3D
A.E. Hartemink R.J. Buresh P.M. van Bodegom A.R. Braun B. Jama B.H. Janssen (2000) ArticleTitleInorganic nitrogen dynamics in fallows and maize on an Oxisol and Alfisol in the highlands of Kenya Geoderma 98 11–33 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0016-7061(00)00072-0 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXmsFKrsb4%3D
A.M. Heineman H.J.O. Otieno E.K. Mengich B.A. Amadalo (1997) ArticleTitleGrowth and yield of eight agroforestry tree species in line plantings in Western Kenya and their effect on maize yields and soil properties For. Ecol. Manage 91 IssueID1 103–135 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0378-1127(96)03885-6
P. Högberg (1997) ArticleTitle 15N natural abundance in soil-plant systems New Phytol. 137 179–203
D.F. Khan M.B. Peoples D.F. Herridge (2002) ArticleTitleQuantifying below-ground nitrogen of legumes. 2. A comparison of 15N and non isotopic methods Plant Soil 239 277–289 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1015066323050 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XktFWitrw%3D
S.J. Livesley P.J. Gregory R.J. Buresh (2000) ArticleTitleCompetition in tree row agroforestry systems. 1. Distribution and dynamics of fine root length and biomass Plant Soil 227 149–161 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1026551616754 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXovVCjsQ%3D%3D
J.E. Lott S.B. Howard C.K. Ong C.R. Black (2000) ArticleTitleLong-term productivity of a Grevillea robusta-based overstorey agroforestry system in semi-arid Kenya: 1 Tree growth For. Ecol. Manage 139 175–186
P.L. Mafongoya B.H. Dzowela (1999) ArticleTitleBiomass production of tree fallows and their residual effect on maize in Zimbabwe Agrofor. Sys. 47 139–151
R.H. MacLean J.A. Litsinger K. Moody A.K. Watson (1992) ArticleTitleThe impact of alley cropping Gliricidia sepium and Cassia spectabilis on upland rice and maize production Agrofor. Syst 20 213–228
A.M. McNeill C. Zhu R.P. Fillery (1997) ArticleTitleUse of in situ 15N-labelling to estimate the total below-ground nitrogen of pasture legumes in intact soil-plant systems Aust. J. Agric. Res 48 295–304
J.A. Parrotta D.D. Baker M. Fried (1994) ArticleTitleApplication of 15N-enrichment methodologies to estimate nitrogen fixation in Casuarina equisetifolia Can. J. For. Res. 24 201–207
J.A. Parrotta D.D. Baker M. Fried (1996) ArticleTitleChanges in dinitrogen fixation in maturing stands of Casuarina equisetifolia and Leucaena leucocephala Can. J. For. Res. 26 1684–1691
M.B. Peoples A.W. Faizah B. Rerkasern D.F. Herridge (Eds) (1989) Methods for evaluating nitrogen fixation by nodulated legumes in the field ACIAR Monograph No. 11. Canberra Australia 50–66
E.C. Rowe G. Cadisch (2002) ArticleTitleImplications of heterogeneity on procedures for estimating plant 15N recovery in hedgerow intercrop systems Agrofor. Syst. 54 61–70 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1014237805095
N. Sanginga B. Vanlauwe S.K.A. Danso (1995) ArticleTitleManagement of biological N2 fixation in alley cropping systems: estimation and contribution to N balance Plant Soil 174 119–141 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00032244 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXotFals7c%3D
G. Schroth (1999) ArticleTitleA review of below ground interactions in agroforestry, focussing on mechanisms and management options Agrofor. Sys. 43 5–34
L. Ståhl G. Nyberg P. Höberg R.J. Buresh (2002) ArticleTitleEffects of planted tree fallows on soil nitrogen dynamics, above-ground and root biomass, N2-fixation and subsequent maize crop productivity in Kenya Plant Soil 243 103–117 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1019937408919
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ståhl, L., Högberg, P., Sellstedt, A. et al. Measuring nitrogen fixation by Sesbania sesban planted fallows using 15N tracer technique in Kenya. Agroforest Syst 65, 67–79 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-004-6072-8
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-004-6072-8