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The effect of lime, nitrogen and Rhizobium inoculation on dry top production, nutrient concentration and nodulation of subterranean clover grown on an acid siliceous sand

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Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH

Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((DPSS,volume 45))

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Abstract

The effects of lime, Rhizobium leguminasarum biovar trifolii strain WU 95 and nitrogen (ammonium nitrate) on dry top production of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean), grown under glasshouse conditions, were assessed at three times during 161 days growth. The soil used was a highly acid siliceous sand with low extractable soil aluminium concentrations. Lime and inoculation (Rhizobium) treatments significantly altered dry top production, while the nitrogen amendment had no significant effect. The nature of the interactions between lime, inoculation and nitrogen treatments changed with time.

The lime and inoculation treatments significantly altered the size, shape and number of nodules observed on the roots of subterranean clover at 161 days growth. As the number of nodules decreased the maximum size increased, and the nodule shape became multilobed.

Based on soil and plant data, aluminium and manganese toxicity did not appear to be factors affecting plant production. Plant dry matter production did not appear to be restricted by phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, manganese, zinc or molybdenum deficiencies.

The results suggest that improved Rhizobium- Trifolium subterranean symbiosis and alleviation of calcium deficiency may be major factors in lime responses on acid siliceous sands.

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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Hodge, T.J.V. (1991). The effect of lime, nitrogen and Rhizobium inoculation on dry top production, nutrient concentration and nodulation of subterranean clover grown on an acid siliceous sand. In: Wright, R.J., Baligar, V.C., Murrmann, R.P. (eds) Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 45. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3438-5_71

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3438-5_71

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5520-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3438-5

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