Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dinitrogen (C2H2) fixation in relation to nitrogen fertilization of grey alder [Alnus incana (L.) Moench.] plantations in a peat bog

  • Published:
Biology and Fertility of Soils Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Nitrogenase activity was measured in young grey alder plantations in a peat bog in central Sweden. The stands were treated in three ways: (1) daily irrigation during the growing season with a complete nutrient solution, including N; (2) application of bark ash or wood ash before planting; and (3) fertilization every second year with solid PK fertilizers. Acetylene reduction assays were performed on (1) detached nodules and attached nodules, either on (2) whole enclosed plants or (3) enclosed nodules. The acetylene reduction rate for the enclosed plants showed a maximum in July when mean values of nearly 80 μmol C2H4 (g nodule dry matter)-1 h-1 were reached. No diurnal patterns were observed. The irrigated stands, with an N supply, showed overall nitrogenase activities that corresponded well with those of the other treatments. Only in the case of temporarily increased soil nutrient concentrations in the irrigated stands did the nitrogenase activity fall considerably. In 6-to 7-year-old intensively managed irrigated stands N2-fixation was estimated as 85–115 kg N ha-1 year-1 which was about 55% of the total N uptake of the trees.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akkermans ADL, van Dijk C (1976) The formation and nitrogen-fixing activity of the root nodules of Alnus glutinosa under field conditions. In: Nutman PS (ed) Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in plants. Cambridge Univ Press, Cambridge, pp 511–520

    Google Scholar 

  • Arveby AS, Huss-Danell K (1988) Presence and dispersal of infective Frankia in peat and meadow soils in Sweden. Biol Fertil Soils 6:39–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Balandreau J, Dommergues Y (1973) Assaying nitrogenase (C2H2) activity in the field. Bull Ecol Res Comm (Stockholm) 17:247–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Binkley D (1981) Nodule biomass and acetylene reduction rates of red alder and Sitka alder on Vancouver Island, BUC. Can J For Res 11:281–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Bond G (1976) The results of the IBP survey of root-nodule formation in non-leguminous angiosperms. In: Nutman PS (ed) Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in plants. Cambridge Univ Press, Cambridge, pp 443–474

    Google Scholar 

  • Bond G, Fletcher WW, Ferguson TP (1954) The development and function of the root nodules of Alnus, Myrica and Hippophaë. Plant and Soil 5:309–323

    Google Scholar 

  • Bremner JM, Shaw K (1958) Denitrification in soil: II. Factors affecting denitrification. J Agric Sci 51:40–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson JO, Gordon JC (1979) Nitrogen fixation in relation to photosynthesis in Alnus glutinosa. Bot Gaz 140 (Suppl):S70-S75

    Google Scholar 

  • Elowson S, Rytter L (1986) Soil characteristics of raised sphagnum bog in relation to intensively grown deciduous species: Peat bulk density, water content, and pH during the growing season. Scand J For Res 1:95–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Elowson S, Rytter L (1988) Dynamics of leaf minerals, leaf area, and biomass from hardwoods intensively grown on a peat bog. Trees 2:84–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Granhall U, Ericsson T, Clarholm M (1983) Dinitrogen fixation and nodulation by Frankia in Alnus incana as affected by inorganic nitrogen in pot experiments with peat. Can J Bot 61:2956–2963

    Google Scholar 

  • Huss-Danell K, Ahlqvist A-S (1984) Nitrogenase activity in root nodule homogenates of Alnus incana. Plant and Soil 78:159–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Huss-Danell K, Lundquist P-O, Ekblad A (1989) Growth and acetylene reduction activity by intact plants of Alnus incanca under field conditions. Plant and Soil 118:61–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingestad T (1971) A definition of optimum nutrient requirements in birch seedlings: II. Physiol Plant 24:118–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingestad T (1980) Growth, nutrition, and nitrogen fixation in grey alder at varied rate of nitrogen addition. Physiol Plant 50:353–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingestad T (1987) New concepts on soil fertility and plant nutrition as illustrated by research on forest trees and stands. Geoderma 40:237–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsrud SC (1978) Nitrogen fixation by root nodules of Alnus incana in a Norwegian forest ecosystem. Oikos 30:475–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohls SJ, Baker DD (1989) Effects of substrate nitrate concentration on symbiotic nodule formation in actinorhizal plants. Plant and Soil 118:171–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindberg T, Granhall U (1984) Nitrogenase activity in cereals and forage grasses. Swed J Agric Res 14:77–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Rennie RJ, Rennie DA (1983) Techniques for quantifying N2 fixation in association with nonlegumes under field and greenhouse conditions. Can J Microbiol 29:1022–1035

    Google Scholar 

  • Rytter L (1989) Distribution of roots and root nodules and biomass allocation in young intensively managed grey alder stands on a peat bog. Plant and Soil 119:71–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Rytter L, Slapokas T, Granhall U (1989) Woody biomass and litter production of fertilized grey alder plantations on a low-humified peat bog. For Ecol Manage 28:161–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwintzer CR (1979) Nitrogen fixation by Myrica gale root nodules in Massachusetts wetland. Oecologia 43:283–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwintzer CR, Berry AM, Disney LD (1982) Seasonal patterns of root nodule growth, endophyte morphology, nitrogenase activity, and shoot development in Myrica gale. Can J Bot 60:746–757

    Google Scholar 

  • Silvester WB (1977) Dinitrogen fixation by plant associations excluding legumes. In: Hardy RWF, Gibson AH (eds) A treatise on dinitrogen fixation. John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp 141–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart WDP, Bond G (1961) The effect of ammonium nitrogen on fixation of elemental nitrogen in Alnus and Myrica. Plant and Soil 14:347–359

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripp LN, Bezdicek DF, Heilman PE (1979) Seasonal and diurnal patterns and rates of nitrogen fixation by young red alder. For Sci 25:371–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler CT, Lawrie AC (1976) Nitrogen fixation in root nodules of alder and pea in relation to the supply of photosynthetic assimilates. In: Nutman PS (ed) Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in plants. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, pp 497–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler CT, Cameron EM, Gordon JC (1978) Effects of handling and surgical treatments on nitrogenase activity in root nodules of Alnus glutinosa, with special reference to the application of indole-acetic acid. New Phytol 80:175–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Winship LJ, Tjepkema JD (1982) Simultaneous measurement of acetylene reduction and respiratory gas exchange of attached root nodules. Plant Physiol 70:361–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Winship LJ, Tjepkema JD (1985) Nitrogen fixation and respiration by root nodules of Alnus rubra Bong.: Effects of temperature and oxygen concentration. Plant and Soil 87:91–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Witty JF, Minchin FR (1988) Measurement of nitrogen fixation by the acetylene reduction assay; myths and mysteries. In: Beck DP, Materon LA (eds) Nitrogen fixation by legumes in Mediterranean agriculture, ICARDA. Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, pp 331–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Zavitkovski J, Newton M (1968) Effect of organic matter and combined nitrogen on nodulation and nitrogen fixation in red alder. In: Trappe JM, Franklin JF, Tarrant RF, Hansen GM (eds) Biology of alder. USDA For Serv, Portland, Oregon, pp 209–223

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Environmental Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, S-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

    L. Rytter & A. S. Arveby

  2. Department of Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7025, S-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden

    U. Granhall

Authors
  1. L. Rytter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. S. Arveby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. U. Granhall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rytter, L., Arveby, A.S. & Granhall, U. Dinitrogen (C2H2) fixation in relation to nitrogen fertilization of grey alder [Alnus incana (L.) Moench.] plantations in a peat bog. Biol Fert Soils 10, 233–240 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337373

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337373

Key words

Search

Navigation