Summary
Daviesia mimosoides is a common understorey legume in Eucalyptus forests of the Brindabella Range in southeastern Australia, capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Rates of N fixation were measured by the acetylene-reduction technique over a growing season in the field. Pot trials under controlled conditions were also carried out to elucidate effects of soil moisture, temperature, and light.
Average rates in the field varied from about 1–5 μ mol C2H4/g/h (wet weight of nodule), but rates up to 14 μ mol C2H4/g/h were measured in optimum controlled conditions. Annual N-fixation rates approximate 4.5–7.0 kg/ha.
In pot trials, rate of acetylene reduction decreased with soil moisture to about−10 MPa tension, with a marked depression at about−6 MPa, but within the normal field range of soil moisture there was little correlation of moisture with average acetylene reduction rate. Rates were similar in the temperature range of 20–30°C, but were depressed by either low or high temperature (<10 or >30°C). Diurnal fluctuations in acetylene reduction rates were not correlated with solar radiation, but rates were limited by high mid-day temperatures.
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McColl, J.G., Edmonds, R.L. Acetylene reduction byDaviesia mimosoides under Eucalyptus. Plant Soil 96, 215–224 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374766
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374766