Inoculation responses of perennial forage legumes grown in fresh hill‐land ultisols as affected by soil acidity‐related factors

A growth chamber experiment was initiated with two field moist, marginal and acidic (pH 5.1–5.2) soils of the Lily series (Typic Hapludults) in order to determine the need for improved legume‐rhizobia symbioses for forage species of current, or potential, use in the renovation of Appalachian hill‐land pastures. One soil was from an abandoned pasture having broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus L.) as the predominant vegetation, whereas the other was from a minimally‐managed pasture dominated by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Treatments included inoculation (or no inoculation) and the addition of aluminum, nil, or lime to provide a range of soil acidities. Both soils contained effective populations of naturalized rhizobia for white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), but low and/or ineffective naturalized populations of rhizobia for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), bigflower vetch (Vicia grandiflora Scop.), and flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.). Seed inoculation, by lime‐pelleting, was highly beneficial in establishing effective symbioses for all these latter species. The addition of low levels of aluminum or lime (1.5 and 2.0 cmol/kg soil, respectively) had little effect on any of the symbioses, with the exception of those for alfalfa. Thus, an improved legume rhizobia symbiosis would not seem to be a prerequisite for renovating pastures established on chemically similar ultisols with the forage legume species examined in this study, especially if the pasture has at least some history of management.     

Growth of perennial forage legumes in acidic soils of the Appalachian Hill‐Lands after liming

A major constraint to the renovation of forage legume‐based pastures on acidic soils of the Appalachian hill‐lands is thought to be the absence of effective rhizobia. A growth chamber experiment was done with aluminum (Al) toxic, low pH (≥ 4.2) soils from four series (Berks, Lily, Tate, and Westmoreland) that were planted with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), or birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). These soils, without lime addition, were previously shown not to contain effective, naturalized populations of rhizobia for these plant species. However, a non‐toxic, pH 6.8, Watauga soil was shown to have such rhizobia but only for alfalfa. In the present study, these five soils were reexamined after liming to pH ≥ 5.5 for effective, naturalized populations of rhizobia and the efficacy of soil inoculation with commercially available rhizobia. In addition to effective, naturalized R. meliloti for alfalfa in the Watauga soil, similar populations of R. trifolii for red clover, and R. lotus for birdsfoot trefoil, were now found. Such rhizobia were also found for alfalfa in the Lily soil and for red clover in the Lily and Tate soil. Thus, liming allowed the expression of effectiveness of natural rhizobia that otherwise would not have been detected in soil pot experiments without lime. Inoculation of the toxic soils after lime addition with commercial rhizobia was effective in about half of the soil‐plant combinations that did not contain populations of effective, naturalized rhizobia. Asymbiotic shoot growth of all the plant species was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) correlated with soil pH over a range of 5.5–6.6. These results indicate that, in the absence of effective, naturalized populations of rhizobia, improvement of rhizobial inocula could increase forage production by ～34% for some species on some of the toxic soils, even after the pH of the soils is increased to ≥ 5.5.     

Potassium uptake of rye-grass (Lolium perenne) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) as related to root parameters

Summary Rye-grass (Lolium perenne) is known to be a strong competitor to red clover (Trifolium pratense) for soil K⁺ under conditions of low K availability in the soil. The objective of this study was to clarify whether this competitive behaviour of the two species can be explained by root morphology. Total K⁺ uptake ofL. perenne andT. pratense was studied under field conditions in relation to root fresh weight, root density, root cation exchange capacity, root surface and root length. The soil was an Alfisol, Udalf. All root parameters, when calculated per unit soil surface (M²), were higher inL. perenne than inT. pratense. In addition,L. perenne had longer root hairs and a denser root hair system thanT. pratense. The greatest difference in root morphology between species was root length, withL. perenne roots averaging 4–6 times longer than those ofT. pratense.Significant correlations were found between the total K⁺ uptake and all root parameters examined, with highest correlationsforroot fresh weight (r,0.92***T. pratense; 0.94***L. perenne) and root length (r, 0.91***T. pratense;r, 0.93***L. perenne). Potassium uptake per unit root fresh weight, root surface and root length were all significantly higher forT. pratense than for L. perenne. Differences in the rate of K⁺ uptake between species were particularly high when expressed per unit root length. Because of its greater root length and surface area,L. perenne can take up more soil K⁺ thanT. pratense, particularly where there is a low K^– supply in the soil. Under such conditionsL. perenne will be a particularly strong competitor toT. pratense.     

Growth of legume and nonlegume catch crops and residual‐N effects in spring barley on coarse sand

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the growth and residual‐nitrogen (‐N) effects of different catch‐crop species on a low–N fertility coarse sandy soil. Six legumes (white clover [Trifolium repens L.], red clover [Trifolium pratense L.], Persian clover [Trifolium resupinatum L.], black medic [Medicago lupulina L.], kidney vetch [Anthyllis vulneraria L.], and lupin [Lupinus angustifolius L.]), four nonlegumes (ryegrass [Lolium perenne L.], chicory [Cichorium intybus L.], fodder radish [Raphanus sativus L.], and sorrel [Rumex Acetósa L.]), and one mixture (rye/hairy vetch [Secale cereale L./Vicia villosa L.]) were tested in a field experiment with three replicates in a randomized block design. Four reference treatments without catch crops and with N application (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha^–1) to a succeeding spring barley were included in the design. Due to their ability to fix N₂, the legume catch crops had a significantly larger aboveground dry‐matter production and N content in the autumn than the nonlegumes. The autumn N uptake of the nonlegumes was 10–13 kg N ha^–1 in shoots and approx. 9 kg ha^–1 in the roots. The shoot N content of white clover, black medic, red clover, Persian clover, and kidney vetch was 55–67 kg ha^–1, and the root N content in white clover and kidney vetch was approx. 25 kg ha^–1. The legume catch crops, especially white and red clover, seemed to be valuable N sources for grain production on this soil type and their N fertilizer–replacement values in a following unfertilized spring barley corresponded to 120 and 103 kg N ha^–1, respectively. The N fertilizer–replacement values exceeded the N content of shoots and roots.     

Different leguminous pre-crops increased yield of succeeding cereals in two consecutive years

Leguminous pre-crops are an important source of green manure in organic crop rotations for improving soil fertility and achieving high yields of cereals. We aimed to study the potential of various leguminous species, other than the traditionally cultivated red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), as green manure pre-crops for subsequent cereals. The use of different legume species enables to exploit advantages of specific legumes in organic cereal production. In order to test the legumes as pre-crops for cereals, we carried out trials located in the temperate climate zone of northeast Europe (58°44′59.41″ N, 26°24′54.02″ E). We sowed the following perennial legumes as pre-crops: red clover, alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) and Washington lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.), biennial white sweet clover (Melilotus albus Medik.) and annual Alexandria clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.). Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) was used as a control. The leguminous pre-crops were followed by three spring cereals (barley, oat and spring wheat) and two winter cereals (rye and winter wheat). We tested the first-year after-effect (all cereals) and second-year after-effect (only barley and oat) of pre-crops on the grain yield of cereals. Perennial and biennial legume species produced the highest dry matter yield and contained the highest amount of nutrients, especially nitrogen, compared to annual species. All subsequent cereals produced significant extra yields after each leguminous pre-crop in the following two years, although the effect was smaller in the second year. The most suitable pre-crops for spring cereals were red and alsike clover followed by lupine, whereas the best pre-crops for winter cereals were sweet clover and annual clovers. Our results show the potential of various leguminous pre-crop species as valuable sources of green manure in organic crop rotation.     

Forage nitrogen yield and soil nitrogen in artificial grasslands with varied Medicago seedling proportion

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to understand the effects of Medicago spp proportion on symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen (N) utilization of plants, and subsequent forage production and soil N status in an artificial Leymus chinensis grassland. By a two-year field experiment conducted in semi-arid northern China, it was found that the corresponding biomass proportions of legume in swards were 0, 39, 63, 83 and 98% when legume seedling proportions at sowing were 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%, respectively. Increased Medicago seedling proportion (from 25 to 100%) decreased legume N₂ fixation capacity from 53 to 21%, as a consequence, this reduced total symbiotic N₂ fixation and its contribution to forage production with Medicago seedling proportion increasing from 50 to 75% or more. However, as increased Medicago seedling proportion enhanced legume biomass and sward uptake to soil mineral N, higher legume stands still led to the greater biomass and N yield. The cultures with 50% seedling of legume had 4–13% greater soil N concentration than the cultures with 0, 25, 75 and 100% seedling of legume. We concluded that pure Medicago stands led to the greatest forage yield, while medium Medicago stands could lead to the greater symbiotic N fixation and soil N concentration.     

Some plants like it warmer: Increased growth of three selected invasive plant species in soils with a history of experimental warming

Soil warming can affect plant performance by increasing soil nutrient availability through accelerating microbial activity. Here, we test the effect of experimental soil warming on the growth of the three invasive plant species Trifolium pratense (legume), Phleum pratense (grass), and Plantago lanceolata (herb) in the temperate-boreal forest ecotone of Minnesota (USA). Plants were grown from seed mixtures in microcosms of soils with three different warming histories over four years: ambient, ambient +1.7 °C, and ambient +3.4 °C. Shoot biomass of P. pratense and P. lanceolata and plant community root biomass increased significantly in soils with +3.4 °C warming history, whereas T. pratense responded positively but not significantly. Soil microbial biomass and N concentration could not explain warming effects, although the latter correlated significantly with the shoot biomass of P. lanceolata. Our results indicate that soil with a warming history may benefit some invasive plants in the temperate-boreal ecotone with potential impacts on plant community composition. Future studies should investigate the impact of warming-induced differences in soil organisms and nutrients on plant invasion.     

Biomass production of Lolio‐Cynosuretum grassland is not increased by plant‐species richness

In experimental grasslands, a positive relationship between biomass production and plant diversity has often been found. Here, we compared a moderately species‐rich old sward with its grass‐dominated counterpart (12 vs. 8 species per 2.5 m², or 8.3 vs. 0.7% yield proportion of dicots at the start of the experiment) established by herbicide application. We hypothesized an increased N, P and K uptake in the diverse sward related to a higher colonization rate with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), the presence of legumes, and complementary nutrient use of plant species. Phosphorus or N fertilizer application (according to contributions of AMF or legumes) were expected to balance the assumed smaller biomass production of the grass compared to the diverse sward. In two experimental years, N, P and K uptake, biomass production, N₂ fixation, and intra‐ and extraradical AMF colonization were investigated in an untreated control and plots that were fertilized with P and N in a low (P1: 20 kg P ha^?1; N1: 50 kg N ha^?1) or a high dose (P2: 100 kg P ha^?1; N2: 500 kg N ha^?1) in both swards. Biomass production was larger in the grass compared to the diverse sward. The N, P and K uptake, accumulated over three harvests (or 1.5 years), was also larger in the grass sward. The biomass production ranged from 5.3 to 10.0 t ha^?1 and accumulated nutrient uptake from 82 to191 kg N ha^?1, 19 to 31 kg P ha^?1 and 112 to 221 kg K ha^?1. Small legume proportions resulted in an accumulated N₂ fixation between 0 and 3 kg ha^?1. In the second year, the root length colonized with AMF structures was larger in the diverse compared to the grass sward, and the root length colonized with arbuscules and coils was larger in the N2 treatment compared to the control in the diverse sward. There were hints to higher AMF abundance under conditions of limited P availability (low soil P content, high N:P ratio in plant biomass). We conclude that in semi‐natural grassland of moderate species richness several factors may affect the relationship between plant diversity and productivity, i.e., management, plant species identity, and the number of the plant species of the low‐diversity level.     

Seasonal development of above‐ and below‐ground organs of Trifolium pratense in grass–legume mixture on different soils

Grass–legume mixtures are suitable for crop rotations in organic farming. However, seasonal development of below‐ground organs of Trifolium pratense in mixtures and on different soils was neglected. We asked (1) how the diameter of the root neck, the maximum order of branching as well as (2) the nodule traits are affected by locality and time, and (3) how above‐ground plant traits of red clover vary in space and time. Red clover was investigated in grass–legume mixtures in the first year of vegetation. Five sites in S Germany were sampled at the day of cut at the end of May, the beginning of July, and at the end of August, respectively. Under similar climatic conditions root traits (diameter of the root neck, order of root branching, size of nodules, and proportion of senescent nodules) differed with soil conditions and time within the season. Root diameter increased during the season. Higher sand content fostered root branching and branched roots developed more nodules. Thinner roots had more active nodules (pink). Root diameter and non‐active senescent (green) or moribund (brown) nodules increased at the end of season. Nodule activity differed more according to season than to soil conditions. The number of nodules per plant (12.5–19.5) decreased from May to August. Cylindrical nodules were found on 85–100% of the plants and branched nodules only on 0–25%. The height of plants was lowest in May and increased in July. The mean number of stems per plant (3.3–6.3) was highest in August. Understanding red clover traits and N₂ fixation is interesting scientifically as well as agronomical. Organic and conventional farmers can both benefit of our findings.     

Measurement of pH at the root surface of red clover (Trifolium pratense) grown in soils differing in proton buffer capacity

Summary Measurements of pH were made at the root surface of Trifolium pratense, using Sb electrodes. Nodulated plants were grown in rhizotrones on a sandy soil free of carbonate and on a clay soil rich in carbonate. In the sandy soil, pH at the surface of root laterals was about 1 unit lower than in the bulk soil. The lowest pH values were found at the root tips. In the calcareous soil, pH measured at the root surface did not differ from pH in the bulk soil. This soil had a much higher H⁺ buffer capacity than the sandy soils. It seems likely that H⁺ ions excreted from the roots grown in the calcareous soil were directly neutralized by soil carbonate.     

Impact of root herbivory by insect larvae on soil microbial communities

Bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris) and clover (Trifolium repens) were grown as pure swards and mixtures in pots containing soil from the NERC Soil Biodiversity field site located in Scotland. Six weeks after plant establishment leatherjacket larvae (Tipula paludosa) were added at field density to half the pots and the impacts of their feeding on plant shoot and root biomass and soil microbial communities was determined after 10 days. Plate counts and community level physiological profiles (CLPP) were used to characterise the microbial communities. Larval herbivory had a significant negative effect on shoot growth of both grass and clover and root biomass of grass. In mixed swards, larvae preferentially fed on clover. Soil microbial community structure was altered in the presence of larvae with populations of pseudomonads being significantly increased. These community differences may be attributed to increased quantity and qualitative changes in carbon flux to the soil as a result of root herbivory, as indicated by differences in the CLPPs of microbial communities in the presence and absence of larvae. This was mainly due to increased utilisation of some sugars, carboxylic and amino acids in the presence of larvae.     

Phosphate rock dissolution and transformation in the rhizosphere of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) compared with other plant species

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is generally grown in highly weathered acidic Ultisols of the humid tropics. The low pH, large P fixing capacity and moisture content of these soils favour the dissolution of phosphate rock. Plant species differ widely in their ability to take up P from phosphate rock, and we have compared phosphate mobilization in the rhizosphere of tea with that under calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus L.), Guinea grass (Panicum maximum L.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by studying the changes in the concentration of P fractions at known distances from the root surface in an acidic (pH in water 4.5) Ultisol from Sri Lanka treated with a phosphate rock. Plants were grown in the top compartment of a two-compartment device, comprising two PVC cylinders physically separated by a 24-μm pore-diameter polyester mesh. A planar mat of roots was formed on the mesh in the top compartment, and the soil on the other side of the mesh in the lower compartment was cut into thin slices parallel to the rhizosphere and analysed for pH and P fractions. All plant species acidified the rhizosphere (pH [water] difference between bulk and rhizosphere soils was 0.17-0.26) and caused more rock to dissolve in the rhizosphere (10–18%) than in the bulk soil (8–11%). Guinea grass was most effective, though the rate of acidification per unit root surface area was least (0.02μmol H⁺ cm^?2) among the four species. Tea produced the largest rate of acidification per unit root surface area (0.08μmol H⁺ cm⁺²). All species depleted P extracted by a cation–anion exchange resin and inorganic P extracted by 0.1 M NaOH. All except tea depleted organic P extracted by 0.1M NaOH in the rhizosphere. The external P efficiencies (mg total P uptake) of Guinea grass, bean, tea and calliandra in soil fertilized with phosphate rock were 4.82 ± 0.42, 4.02 ± 0.32, 1.06 ± 0.02 and 0.62 ± 0.02, respectively, and the corresponding internal P efficiencies (mg shoot dry matter production per mg plant P) were 960 ± 75, 1623 ± 79, 826 ± 33 and 861 ± 44. This study showed that the various crops cultivated in tea lands differ in their rates of acidification, phosphate rock dissolution and P transformation in the rhizosphere. This requires testing under field conditions.     

Can liming reduce barium uptake by agricultural plants grown on sandy soil?

Uptake of barium (Ba) from soil by vascular plants varies among species. Despite the toxicity of soluble Ba compounds to plants, research on mechanisms controlling Ba uptake from natural soils is scarce. This study investigated the treatment effect of lime (CaCO₃) added to a sandy soil containing a total of 500 mg Ba kg^?1 on uptake and interspecies distribution of Ba in legumes and other cultivated food and feed plants. Nine species of grasses, vegetables, herbs, and legumes were cultivated under controlled conditions in a greenhouse experiment. The plants were harvested at maturity or flowering, dried, milled, and digested with nitric acid using the microwave technique prior to ICP‐MS analysis. All plant species acquired Ba from the soil in considerable amounts, probably due to low Ba adsorption potential of the sandy soil. Shoot tissue concentrations ranged from about 100 (grass) to 600 mg Ba kg^?1 (legume) and root concentrations from about 100 (tuber vegetable) to 700 mg kg^?1 (legume). Vicia cracca L. (bird vetch) showed an accumulation capacity due to high shoot concentrations of Ba compared to the other species. Higher yield accompanied by a potential dilution effect can partly explain why Trifolium repens L. (white clover), Pisum sativum ssp. arvénse L. (gray pea) and Hordeum vulgare L. (barley) did not display the highest Ba concentrations, but showed the highest Ba uptake from soil. High plant uptake of calcium (Ca) also seemed to enhance Ba uptake, by legumes in particular. However, liming reduced shoot Ba concentrations, particularly of species with low affinity for Ca. The risk of Ba accumulation thus raises toxicity concerns when forage legumes are cultivated in soils containing elevated concentrations of Ba.     

Greenhouse evaluation of growth parameters related to birdsfoot trefoil and red and white clover production on an and IC mission silt loam

Abstract

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus tenius), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens) were evaluated as potential forage legumes on andic soils. A greenhouse study was used to evaluate the influence of soil pH on: (1) the establishment and growth of these forage legumes, (2) N and P quantity and concentration, and (3) Rhizobium lupini and Rhizobium trifolii survival.

Aluminum sulfate and finely‐ground calcium carbonate were used to adjust soil pH. Soil pH's were 4.8, 5.1, 5.6, 6.2, 6.4, 6.9, 7.0 and 7.4. Birdsfoot trefoil, red clover and white clover were grown in 15 cm pots in the greenhouse and harvested five times at approximately 20‐day intervals. Yield was measured and plant material was analyzed for total N and P. Populations of R. lupini and R. trifolii were monitored using the MPN technique.

Manipulation of pH in the Mission soil was found to have a significant effect on the growth of the three forage legumes, tissue N and P concentration and uptake, and on the survival of R. lupini and R. trifolii in the soil. In general, tested parameters increased with increasing soil pH. Greatest forage yield occurred in the 6.9–7.0 pH range. The andic nature of the Mission soil requires a pH adjustment above pH 6.2 for acceptable establishment and yields of the three forage legumes studied. This is in sharp contrast to non‐andic northern Idaho soils where forage legume yields are usually not adversely affectea above pH 5.5. All three legumes appeared to have good potential ana should be evaluated under field conditions.     

Agronomic evaluations of grass and legume forage species collected in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China and Mongolia

Because rangelands in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of thePeople's Republic of China (PRC) and Mongolia are typicallyseverely overgrazed, bilateral (U.S./ PRC, U.S./Mongolia)efforts have been initiated to expedite capture of the remaining geneticdiversity. The current study was designed to evaluate selected germplasm of thefollowing forage species collected in these threatened areas: Bromusinermis Leyss., Dactylis glomerata L.,Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Festucaovina L., Festuca rubra L., Phleumphleoides (L.) Karsten, Phleumpratense L., Poa palustris L., Poapratensis ssp. angustifolia (L.) H.Lindb., Medicago sativa ssp. falcataArcengeli, Medicago sativa L. ssp. sativa, Medicago lupulina L.,Medicago ruthenica (L.) Ledebour,Trifolium fragiferum L., Trifoliumlupinaster L., Trifolium pratense L., andTrifolium repens L. Accessions were evaluated in the fieldat Beltsville MD (USA) on an Iuka sandy loam(coarse-loamy, siliceous, acid, thermic, Aquic Udigluvent; pH6.5) in a two-year study. Comparative check cultivars were included.There was significant variation in days to 50% heading (grassspecies) or flowering (legume species), leaf texture (grassspecies), growth habit, spring vigor, and dry matter yield among accessionsof at least some genera. Accessions did not demonstrate higher diseasesusceptibility relative to check cultivars, except in the case of severalF. arundinacea and oneM. sativa ssp.falcata entries. There was no significant variation in leafshape among the legume accessions, nor were leaf shapes significantly differentfrom those of the check cultivars. Several F.ovina, F. rubra,and Poa pratensis accessions may have potential in turfgrass breeding programs. There were apparent positive relationships amongupright growth habit, spring vigor, late development, and yield.     

Legume cover crops as a nitrogen source for pecan

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) plus hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), red clover plus white clover, and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) were evaluated as cover crops for pecans. Crimson clover plus hairy vetch supplied the equivalent of 101 to 159 kg nitrogen (N)/ha. Red clover plus white clover supplied up to 132 kg N/ha. Either white clover or red clover alone were less effective in supplying N than when grown together. Soil Kjeldahl‐N was usually not affected or increased using the legumes compared to fertilized bermudagrass sod. Soil nitrate (NO₃) concentrations during October were occasionally higher in unfertilized legume plots than in bermudagrass plots with March‐applied N.     

Effect of red clover on the microbial transformation of phenanthrene and octadecane in the soil

The influence of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) plants on the decomposition of phenanthrene and octadecane in the soil has been studied. Effect of plant root mass on the abundance of hydrocarbondegrading bacteria, the composition of their communities, and the degradation of hydrocarbons in the soil has been revealed. Changes in the taxonomic composition of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria under the effect of red clover are characterized by an increase in the abundance of species from the genera Acinetobacter, Kaistia, Novosphingobium, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas. A positive effect of the studied microbial–plant association on the degradation of octadecane and especially phenanthrene in the soil has been revealed.     

Analysis of NO3 interception of the parasitic angiosperm Orobanche spp. using a positron-emitting tracer imaging system and 13NO− 3: A new method for the visualization and quantitative analysis of the NO3 interception ratio

Abstract

The root parasitic plants Orobanche spp. (broomrapes) seriously affect agricultural production. A visualization and quantitative analytical method for the interception of nutrients was established using a positron-emitting tracer imaging system and ¹³NO^? ₃. By using this analytical method that involves volume normalization with ¹⁸F^? images, the nitrogen nutrient interception ratio of the Orobanche spp. was calculated to be 73.6 ± 3.9% in a host–parasite system of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.).     

Phosphate aquisition by red clover and black mustard on a humic podzol

Recent investigations have shown that phosphate (P) mobilization by root exudates is an important feature of genotypes to acquire P even in soils of low‐P availability. We, therefore, investigated P mobilization processes in the rhizosphere of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and black mustard (Brassica nigra L.) on a humic podzol. As measured by the Kuchenbuch‐Jungk method (Kuchenbuch and Jungk, 1982), both species accumulated similar quantities of citrate (12 μmol/g soil) in the rhizosphere in about 1 mm distance from the soil‐root interface. Despite of similar concentrations of P‐mobilizing citrate in the rhizosphere of both species, red clover took up nearly the two‐fold of P compared to black mustard. Differences in rhizosphere pH were determined between both species. Black mustard did not acidify the rhizosphere, whereas red clover decreased the pH in the rhizosphere from 5.8 to about 4.0 (in 0.01M CaCl₂). The simultaneous acidification and excretion of citrate compared to citrate excretion alone had consequences for P mobilization processes in the rhizosphere. Phosphate mobilization from the soil solid phase was higher at higher pH. Thus, the citrate‐induced P desorption was not the limiting step in P acquisition by red clover and black mustard. Calculations of P distribution in the soil solution between free ortho‐P and humic‐associated P showed that at higher pH most of the P was associated with dissolved humic substances, whereas at pH < 5, most of the P was present as free ortho‐P. These P species can readily be taken up by the roots whereas humic‐associated P must probably be desorbed from the humic surface before uptake. Phosphate species calculations, therefore, explained the higher P uptake of red clover compared to black mustard. Aluminum species distribution calculations in the soil solution further show that even at pH < 5.0 in the soil solution, citrate strongly complex Al and thereby reduce the activity of monomeric Al species. The excretion of citrate can, therefore, counteract the root induced acidification of the rhizosphere with respect to Al toxicity.     

Adaptive attributes of tropical forage species to acid soils II. Differences in shoot and root growth responses to varying phosphorus supply and soil type

Identification of plant attributes that improve the performance of tropical forage ecotypes when grown as monocultures or as grass+legume associations in low fertility acid soils will assist the development of improved forage plants and pasture management technology. The present work compared the shoot and root growth responses of four tropical forages: one grass and three legumes. The forages were grown in monoculture or in grass+legume associations at different levels of soil phosphate. Two infertile acid soils, both Oxisols, were used: one sandy loam and one clay loam. They were amended with soluble phosphate at rates ranging from 0 to 50 kg ha^‐1. The forages, Brachiaria dictyoneura (grass), Arachis pintoi, Stylosanthes capitata and Centrosema acutifolium (legumes), were grown in large plastic containers (40 kg of soil per container) in the glasshouse. After 80 days of growth, shoot and root biomass production, dry matter partitioning, leaf area production, total chlorophyll content in leaves, soluble protein in leaves, root length, and proportion of legume roots in grass+legume associations were determined. The grass, grown either in monoculture or in association responded more to phosphorus supply than did the three legumes in terms of both shoot and root production. At 50 kg ha^‐1 of phosphorus, the grass's yield per plant in association was greatly enhanced, compared with that of grass in monoculture. The increase in size of grass plants in association compared with that in monoculture may have been caused by reduced competition from the legumes. These differences in shoot and root growth responses to phosphorus supply in acid soils between the grass and the three legumes may have important implications for improving legume persistence in grass+legume associations.