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Symbiotic N2 fixation by legumes growing in pots

II. Uptake of15N-labelled NO3 −, C2H2 reduction and H2 evolution byTrifolium subterraneum L.,Medicago truncatula Gaertn. andAcacia dealbata Link

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Summary

An indirect isotopic method was developed to estimate N2 fixation by legume grown in pots. Two pasture legumes, subterranean clover and barrel medic, and one Australian native legume, silver wattle, were grown in a N2-depleted atmosphere of Ar:O2:CO2 (77:20:3) for a short period of time following addition of15N-labelled KNO3 (8 mg N pot−1). Uptake of fertiliser-N by these plants was compared with that of plants receiving the same amount of15N-labelled NO3 − but grown under a normal N2 atmosphere. Symbiotically fixed N2 was calculated from the difference in fertiliser-N uptake by plants in the Ar and N2 atmospheres, based on the assumption that the nitrogen requirement of the legumes grown in the former atmosphere was satisfied by an equivalent uptake of labelled NO3 −−N from the soil.

The percentage decrease in C2H2 reduction activity of the legumes following the addition of KNO3 was relatively constant. The C2H2:N2 molar ratios for subterranean clover, barrel medic and silver wattle were 5.2, 5.8 and 2.8, respectively. A large proportion (50 to 60%) of the electron flux available for N2 fixation by the pasture legumes was used for the evolution of H2. The (C2H2−H2):N2 ratios were close to the theoretical value of 3∶1. The total soil-plant system did not evolve H2, but instead was capable of taking up exogenously supplied H2, which was stimulated by the presence of the legumes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Education and Research, Forests Commission Victoria, GPO Box 4018, 3001, Melbourne, Australia

    P. Hopmans

  2. School of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, Australia

    P. M. Chalk & L. A. Douglas

Authors
  1. P. Hopmans
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  2. P. M. Chalk
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  3. L. A. Douglas
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Hopmans, P., Chalk, P.M. & Douglas, L.A. Symbiotic N2 fixation by legumes growing in pots. Plant Soil 74, 333–342 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181351

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181351

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