Abstract
The capacity of different soils to induce nodulation in Alnus incana was studied. Soil from stands of different tree species was sampled. The nodulation capacity was determined by inoculating grey alder seedlings growing in liquid culture with 20-fold serial soil dilutions and then counting the nodules formed.
One purpose of the study was to compare the densities of infective Frankia in the soil of sites where Betula pendula was growing side by side with Alnus incana. The nodulation capacity of the soil under birch varied between 490–6500 nodulation units (nu) cm-3 of soil, and was at least as high as that under alder or even higher. The nodules were classified into three groups on the basis of nodule size and the occurrence and frequency of sporangia in the nodules. An average of 69% of the nodules belonged to the spore-negative group.
Nodulation capacity was also determined for the soil under some other deciduous and some coniferous species. The nodulation capacity varied between 0–900 nu cm-3 of soil. The relationship between nodulation capacity and tree species and some soil characteristics is discussed.
In addition to actinorhizal nodules, some of the soils also induced the formation of myconodules, containing a nonidentified fungus.
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Smolander, A. Frankia populations in soils under different tree species—with special emphasis on soils under Betula pendula . Plant Soil 121, 1–10 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00013091
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00013091