Summary
A study has been made of specific effects and interactions of Ca, Cu, Mo, and P on the symbiotic system and chemical composition of subterranean clover, (Mt. Barker var.) grown in sand culture under glass on high and low nitrate supply. The levels of Ca and Cu were low while those of Mo and P were in general high or excessive.
N2-fixation appeared to be specifically inhibited by deficiencies of Ca or Cu but was only affected by Mo or P according to their effect on yield. The classic symptoms of Ca- and Cu-deficiencies were obtained on highnitrate plants, but in symbiotic plants they appeared as symptoms of Ndeficiency. This was confirmed by chemical analysis.
The main yield interactions were Ca×Cu, Ca×P and Cu×P which were explained by the chemical data. Toxic effects of excess P which were observed were relieved by the increased growth rate associated with higher levels of nitrate or Ca, but were intensified by increased levels of copper. Higher levels of nutrient-P enhanced equally the Cu- and Mo-content of tops.
Copper deficiency depressed the uptake of Ca into the tops.
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Greenwood, E.A.N., Hallsworth, E.G. Studies on the nutrition of forage legumes. Plant Soil 12, 97–127 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01377365
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01377365