Summary
The percentage nitrogen in three mature grasses,Pennisetum purpureum, Tripsacum laxum andPanicum maximum was significantly increased when grown in association with a legumeDesmodium uncinatum. When the grasses were grazed and cut back a similar but non-significant effect occurred in the regrowth material. Soil analyses showed that the legume effectively increased the surface organic horizon and the amount of nitrogen mineralised in the underlying soil. The surface layer also produced large amounts of nitrate on mineralisation. Both with the soil and the organic surface mineralisation was greatest at the start of the rains when the influence of the legume on the percentage nitrogen in the grass was most apparent.
Reference
Birch, H. F., Nitrification in soils after different periods of dryness. Plant and Soil12, 81, (1960).
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Birch, H.F., Dougall, H.W. Effect of a legume on soil nitrogen mineralisation and percentage nitrogen in grasses. Plant Soil 27, 292–296 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373398
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373398