Influences of seed molybdenum and molybdenum application on nitrate reductase activity,shoot dry matter,and grain yields of winter wheat cultivars

The influences of seed molybdenum (Mo) and application of Mo on nitrate reductase activity(NRA) in seedling stage, shoot dry matter in stem elongation stage, and grain yields in harvesting stage were compared among 35 winter wheat cultivars grown on acid yellow brown earths. Seedling NRA was significantly and positively correlated with seed Mo content regardless of further molybdenum application. The correlation of both shoot dry matter in stem elongation stage and grain yields to seed Mo content were also significant in a much less degree under Mo deficiency, but not after molybdenum application. Molybdenum application significantly increased seedling NRA, shoot dry matter in stem elongation stage and grain yields for most cultivars. There were no obvious relationships between molybdenum efficiency ratios and seed molybdenum content. These showed that seed Mo was very important for plant growth, but it was not sufficient to complete the whole life of plant. Therefore, Mo must be applied in order to get satisfactory grain yields from most cultivars. However, a high Mo efficiency genotype (97003) was promising to adapt to Mo deficient soils without added Mo.     

Effect of Foliar Nitrogen Application on Nitrogen Metabolism,Water Status,and Plant Growth in Two Maize Cultivars under Short-term Moderate Stress

Two contrasting maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars, i.e. ‘Shaandan 9’ (S₉) and ‘Shaandan 911’(S₉₁₁) were investigated by examining foliar nitrogen (N) modulation of N metabolism, water status and plant growth under short-term moderate water stress (SMWS). On 10th day of SMWS, dry matter (DM), relative water content (RWC) and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) were significantly decreased, whereas concentrations of free proline (FP), glycinebetaine (GB) and soluble protein (SP) were increased in leaves of both cultivars. Cultivar S₉ maintained greater DM, RWC and these N metabolism traits than S₉₁₁ during SMWS. Foliar N application much more raised DM, RWC, NRA, and concentrations of all solutes measured under SMWS above control. These positive effects were more pronounced in S₉₁₁ than those in S₉ during SMWS. Greater correlations were performed amongst all parameters under SMWS than control. Hence, we suggest that foliar N should be firstly applied to drought sensitive cultivars under drought.     

Effect of molybdenum stress on growth,yield and seed quality in black gram

Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) var. Shyam plants were raised in refined sand at four levels of molybdenum (Mo), i.e., low (0.002 µM) to excess (2 µM) for 70 days. The molybdenum deficiency symptoms appeared as interveinal chlorosis of young and middle leaves. Compared to control (0.2 µM Mo), total dry matter, seed yield and seed protein decreased at low and excess Mo. The concentration of Mo in leaves and seed as well as activity of nitrate reductase increased with an increase in Mo supply. Low and excess Mo deteriorated the quality of seeds by lowering the content of starch, sugars, protein, and nitrogen and increasing electrical conductivity of seed leachate. Molybdenum deficiency and excess both resulted in production of lightweight immature seeds, poor in vigor and germination potential. The values of sufficiency and threshold of toxicity in leaves were 0.078 and 2.15 µg Mo g^?1 dry matter of black gram.     

Effect of molybdenum,phosphorus, and lime application to acid soils on dry matter yield and molybdenum nutrition of lentil

Deficiency of molybdenum (Mo) in acid soils causes poor growth of pulses. An experiment was, therefore, conducted in greenhouse to study the effect of Mo, phosphorus (P), and lime application on the dry matter yield and plant Mo concentration of lentil (Lens esculenta L.) in two Mo‐deficient acid alluvial soils. The experiment was conducted using a factorial design with three levels of lime (no lime, half, and full lime requirement), three levels of P (0, 25, and 50 mg kg^‐1), and two levels of Mo (0 and 1.0 mg kg^‐1). Plants were grown for 60 days and at harvest their dry matter yield and Mo concentration were recorded. The three treatments significantly increased dry matter yield, Mo concentration and Mo uptake, the increase being most pronounced with Mo application followed by lime and P. Increases due to applied Mo were greater in presence than in absence of added P; while the reverse was true with the liming treatments. Liming and P application at their lower levels also interacted positively for better Mo nutrition of plants. Results thus indicated that the severity of Mo deficiency in the lentil plants may be reduced by lime and P application in Mo‐deficient acid alluvial soils.     

The response of okra to molybdenum in sandculture

Abstract

The role of molybdenum in plant growth was examined by growing ‘Emerald’ okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) to fruiting in sand‐culture.

Molybdenum treatment lower than 1 ppm, resulted in leaves that were generally pale yellow and curled upwards. At 1 ppm and 4 ppm Mo, plants were generally healthy with deep green leaves, while Mo application at 6 and 16 ppm resulted in stunted plant growth, deep green leaves, and dark brownish coating on the roots. Shoot/root ratio decreased with increasing rates of Mo. Total chlorophyll was unaffected by Mo application, whereas plant dry matter production and fruit yield were depressed at the 16 ppm Mo treatment.

Leaves of plants receiving less than 1 ppm Mo had higher concentrations of NO₃‐N, P, K, Ca and Mg than plants receiving above 1 ppm Mo treatments. The reverse was the case with the micronutrient levels. Specifically, Mo treatments higher than 1 ppm increased leaf‐Mo, ‐Fe, Mn and Zn and root‐Mo and Mn. The highest percentage of Fe and Mn, accumulated in the leaves, followed by the root and least in the wood, whereas the roots had the highest percentage of accumulated Mo, Cu and Zn. Leaf‐Mo was positively correlated with leaf‐Fe and Mn and root‐Mo and Mn. Molybdenum deficiency symptoms appeared in plants with leaf‐Mo of 5 ppm and treated with less than 1 ppm Mo. The 2 ppm Mo treatment with leaf‐Mo of 18 ppm produced normal and healthy plants, whereas. Mo application from 8 to 16 ppm with corresponding leaf‐Mo of 42 and 90 ppm Ho respectively produced plants that were severely stunted and had generally poor growth. The relatively high Ho concentration observed suggests that the okra plant is a Mo accumulator.     

Seasonal Changes of Mineral Nutrients in Fruit and Leaves of ‘Newhall’ and ‘Skagg's Bonanza’ Navel Oranges

In southern Jiangxi province of China, ‘Newhall’(Citrus sinensis Osbeck) navel orange presented a conspicuous symptom of boron (B) deficiency in mature leaves, whereas B deficiency symptoms were not manifested on ‘Skagg's Bonanza’(C. sinensis Osbeck) navel orange. In this study, changes in concentrations of B, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were comparatively investigated in the structural parts of the fruit (rind and pulp) and leaves (old leaves from last season and spring-flush leaves from current year) of ‘Newhall’ and ‘Skagg's Bonanza’ navel orange during the growing season. Two peaks of B concentrations were observed in the rind of the two cultivars during fruitlet growth and fruit enlargement, respectively. Boron concentrations were relatively high in the rind during fruitlet growth, and then decreased in both rind and pulp, whereas, during middle and late fruit enlargement significant increases were found for B in both rind and pulp of the two cultivars. Boron concentrations in old leaves of ‘Newhall’ decreased progressively and remained relatively low, whereas that of ‘Skagg's Bonanza’ was relatively high and changed slightly as the season progresses. Both Ca and K concentrations were above the critical threshold values, while their dynamics were reverse to that of B in fruit and leaves during certain times. Old leaf Mg concentrations of samples at 140 days after full bloom from the two cultivars and spring-flush leaves from ‘Newhall’ were below the threshold limit for sufficiency. In addition, Mg in old leaves was much lower from ‘Newhall’ than from ‘Skagg's Bonanza’. Spring-flush leaf concentrations of Mn and Zn and Mn concentrations in old leaves from ‘Newhall’ were relatively lacking during middle and late season, which accelerated the occurrence of B deficiency symptoms on mature leaves of ‘Newhall.’     

Nitrate Reduction and Nutrient Accumulation in Wheat Grown in Soil Salinized with Four Different Salts

ABSTRACT

The effect of salinization of soil with Na₂SO₄, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, and NaCl (70:35:10:23) on the biochemical characteristics of three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (‘LU-26S,’ ‘Sarsabaz’ and ‘Pasban-90’) was investigated under natural environmental conditions. Twenty-day-old seedlings of all three cultivars were subjected to three salinity treatments: 1.3 (control), 5.0, and 10 dSm^?1 for the entire life period of plants. After 120 d of seed sowing, plant biomass production decreased by 49% and 65%, respectively, in response to 5 and 10 dSm^?1 salinity levels. Addition of salts to growth medium also had a significant adverse effect on plant height. Increasing salinity treatments caused a great reduction in nitrate reductase activity (NRA) of the leaf. The inhibitory effect of salinity on nitrate reduction rate was more pronounced at the reproductive stage than at the vegetative stage of plant growth. Wheat cultivars ‘LU-26S’ and ‘Sarsabaz’ showed less reduction in NRA due to salinity compared with ‘Pasban-90.’ Ascending salinity levels significantly reduced potassium (K⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺) accumulation in shoots, while the concentration of sodium (Na⁺) was increased. Salts of growth medium increased the shoot nitrogen (N) concentration, whereas phosphorous (P) concentration of shoots was significantly reduced due to salinity. Wheat cultivars ‘LU-26S’ and ‘Sarsabaz’ proved to be the salt-tolerant ones, producing greater biomass, showing less reduction in NRA, maintaining low sodium (Na⁺), and accumulating more K⁺ and Ca²⁺ in response to salinity. These two cultivars also showed less reduction in shoot K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺/Na⁺ ratios than in ‘Pasban-90,’ particularly at the 10 dSm^?1 salinity level.     

VARIATION IN PHOSPHORUS EFFICIENCY AMONG BRASSICA CULTIVARS I: INTERNAL UTILIZATION AND PHOSPHORUS REMOBILIZATION

Plants have adapted a number of mechanisms to cope with widespread phosphorus (P) deficiency in arable lands. Crop species and even cultivars differ widely in one or more of these adaptive mechanisms hence, in P efficiency. Identification of these mechanisms is pre-requisite for long term breeding programs. Two independent experiments were conducted to study the possible mechanisms of P efficiency in Brassica cultivars. Eight Brassica cultivars (‘B.S.A.’, ‘Toria’, ‘Toria Selection’, ‘Brown Raya’, ‘Peela Raya’, ‘Dunkeld’, ‘Rainbow’, and ‘CON-1’) were selected on the basis of differences in growth under P deficiency from preliminary experiment. In the first experiment, cultivars were grown for 40 days in sand supplied either with sparingly soluble phosphate rock (PR) or soluble mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP). Cultivars differed significantly (P<0.05) for biomass production, P contents and P use efficiency. Low P availability in PR treatment resulted in significantly lower dry weights and P contents than those grown with MAP. The cultivars ‘Rainbow’, ‘Brown Raya’ and ‘Dunkeld’ accumulated more biomass (3.2 g/pot) and P contents (3.0 mg/pot) than other cultivars when grown with PR. Root dry weight was significantly correlated with shoot dry weight, shoot P content and total P content (r > 0.65) indicating significance of improved root growth for P acquisition. While in the second experiment cultivars were grown with adequate P for 30 days and then P was withdrawn from the nutrient solution by replacing fresh P free nutrient solution for 10 days. Induced P deficiency increased P contents in young leaves by two folds indicating remobilization of P from older leaves and shoot. Nonetheless cultivars varied for remobilization but differences in P remobilization could not explain the differences in P utilization efficiency among cultivars. Hence further experimentation to study root morphology, P uptake, and organic acid exudation by these cultivars in relation to P deficiency is recommended.     

Aluminum toxicity in tomato. Part 1. growth and mineral nutrition

Aluminum (Al) toxicity was studied in two tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Mountain Pride’ and Floramerica') grown in diluted nutrient solution (pH 4.0) at 0, 10, 25, and 50 μM Al levels. In the presence of 25 and 50 μM Al, significant reduction was found in leaf area, dry weight, stem length, and longest root length of both cultivars. Growth of ‘Floramerica’ was less sensitive to Al toxicity than growth of ‘Mountain Pride’. Elemental composition of the nutrient solutions were compared immediately after the first Al addition and four days later. The uptake of micronutrients copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and iron (Fe) from the nutrient solution was reduced in both cultivars with increasing Al levels. Nutrient solution Al gradually decreased in time for every treatment; less in cultures of ‘Floramerica’ than in ‘Mountain Pride’. Aluminum treatments decreased the calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), Mn, Fe, and Zn content in the roots, stems, and leaves. Aluminum treatment promoted the accumulation of P, Mo, and Cu in the roots, and inhibited the transport of these nutrients into stems and leaves. At 25 and 50 μM levels of Al, lower Al content was found in the roots of cv. “Floramerica’ than in the roots of cv. ‘Mountain Pride’.     

Aluminum toxicity in tomato. Part 2. leaf gas exchange,chlorophyll content,and invertase activity

The effect of aluminum (Al) toxicity on leaf gas exchange, leaf chlorophyll content, and sucrose metabolizing enzyme activity of two tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Mountain Pride’ and ‘Floramerica') was studied to determine the mechanism of growth reduction observed in a related study (Simon et al., 1994, Part 1). Plants were grown in diluted nutrient solution (pH 4.0) with 0, 10, 25, or 50 μM. Al for 16 days. Leaf gas exchange was reduced 2–3 fold in both cultivars as Al concentration increased. Gas exchange of ‘Mountain Pride’ was more sensitive to Al toxicity than ‘Floramerica’, agreeing with growth responses observed. Reductions in carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate appeared to be due to nonstomatal factors in ‘Floramerica’, but stomatal and non‐stomatal limitations in ‘Mountain Pride’. Chlorophyll content of leaves was not affected by Al. Acid invertase (AI) and neutral invertase (NI) activity of roots responded consistently to Al concentration in both cultivars. Root AI and NI activity decreased to a greater extent for ‘Mountain Pride’ than for ‘Floramerica’.     

INFLUENCE OF ELEVATED PHOSPHORUS LEVELS IN NUTRIENT SOLUTION ON MICRONUTRIENT UPTAKE AND DEFICIENCY SYMPTOM DEVELOPMENT IN STRAWBERRY CULTURED WITH FERTIGATION SYSTEM

The relationship between the total amount of micronutrients absorbed by the above-ground plant tissue and the occurrence of visible micronutrient deficiency symptoms in two strawberry cultivars as influenced by elevated phosphorus (P) levels in fertigation solution was investigated. The plants were cultured with a fertilizer solution containing 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 6 mM P and tissue nutrient content were determined at 120 days after transplanting. Young leaves of the plants grown with nutrient solution P levels higher than 4 mM and 2 mM, respectively, in ‘Keumhyang’ and ‘Seonhong’, developed interveinal chlorosis. Tissue concentrations (mg·kg^?1 dry weight) of metallic micronutrients [iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)] in both cultivars did not decrease, but the total amount absorbed by the aboveground plant tissue decreased in the treatments in which nutrient deficiencies were observed. These results indicate that total amount of micronutrients is a better indicator of P-induced micronutrient deficiency.     

Response of Two Olive Cultivars to Salt Stress and Potassium Supplement

ABSTRACT

The effects of saline water containing 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), and 100 mM NaCl + 100 mM potassium (K) on photosynthesis, water relations, and ion and carbohydrate content of olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars ‘Koroneiki’ and ‘Mastoidis’ were studied on five-year-old trees. Salinity increased sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^?) in tissues of both cultivars, but more so in ‘Koroneiki’ than in ‘Mastoidis.’ Salt-toxicity symptoms were observed at 100 and 150 mM, but not in plants receiving extra K. In salt-stressed plants, leaf water potential declined, whereas turgor potential remained positive due to a rapid decrease in osmotic potential. Salinity increased mannitol content up to 41.3% in ‘Mastoidis’ and 15.8% in ‘Koroneiki’, but reduced starch content in leaves. Photosynthetic rates fell significantly with increasing salinity in both cultivars, but more so in ‘Koroneiki’ than in ‘Mastoidis’. Potassium supplements reduced the concentration of Na⁺ and increased the concentrations of K⁺ in leaves, but decreased photosynthesis.     

种子钼对冬小麦硝酸还原酶活性、干物质重及产量的影响

在酸性黄棕壤上 ,研究了种子钼对冬小麦幼苗NRA(硝酸还原酶活性 )、拔节期地上部干物质重和小麦子粒产量的影响。结果表明 ,不管施钼与否 ,苗期NRA与种子钼含量呈极显著正相关。拔节期地上部干物质重与种子钼含量呈极显著正相关 ,但施钼以后无明显相关性。小麦子粒产量与种子钼含量无显著相关性。种子钼处理 (种子钼加土壤有效钼 )对大多数品种的幼苗NRA、拔节期干物质重和子粒产量 ,均比施钼处理极显著降低。这些表明 ,种子钼对植物体的生长有一定作用 ,但不足以保证冬小麦正常生长发育并获得高产。因此 ,在施钼是在缺钼土壤上矫正缺钼、促进冬小麦生长发育、获得高产的必要措施之一。     

Some observations of potassium deficiency in chrysanthemum

Pot chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bright Golden Anne') were grown at 10 rates of K supply, symptoms of K deficiency were recorded, and the K concentrations in the leaves at harvest were measured. The initial K deficiency symptoms, consisting of glazing and bronzing of the leaf underside, were nearly identical to the injury attributed to the air pollutant, peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN). Leaves with these symptoms contained 0.5 to 0.6% K. During vegetative growth K deficiency symptoms developed first on the most recently mature leaf; during rapid flower development the symptoms appeared first on the uppermost leaf of the stem. In K‐deficient plants, there was a gradient in K concentration from upper leaves (0.2% K) to lower leaves (1.7% K).     

钼对冬小麦硝态氮代谢的影响

采用全硝态氮霍格兰营养液为培养基质,在供应0(缺钼)、0.78(适钼)、2.74mol/L(高钼)3种钼浓度下培养小麦.,分期测定其体内ＮＯ3--Ｎ、NH4+-N、全Ｎ、吸氮量及硝酸还原酶活性.(ＮＲＡ).,研究钼对小麦ＮＯ3--Ｎ代谢的影响。结果表明.,ＮＲＡ受硝酸盐代谢库和贮存库之间的调节而不断变化.,但任何情况下钼对ＮＲＡ都有明显影响。培养初期适钼处理ＮＲＡ最高.,高钼次之.,缺钼最低.;培养后期由于缺钼处理的NO3--N浓度高于施钼处理.,ＮＲＡ随之增至最高。植株内NH4+-N、ＮＯ3--Ｎ浓度之和在不同测定时间大致稳定.,ＮＯ3--Ｎ浓度高时则NH4+-N浓度低.,反之亦然.,两者之间存在一定的负相关关系。稳定情况与钼供应有关.,适钼条件下培养开始时高的NH4+-N与低的ＮＯ3--Ｎ浓度明显对应.,之后两者浓度接近.;缺钼条件下与此类似.,但NO3--N浓度变化不大.,NH4+-N、ＮＯ3--Ｎ浓度之和最高.;高钼条件下NH4+-N浓度一直高于NO3--N。作物由溶液吸收的NO3--N与作物的吸氮量一致.,适钼时最多.,高钼次之.,缺钼最少。从适钼时作物体内NH4+-N、ＮＯ3--Ｎ浓度之和最低.,而吸氮量又最高可以看出.,合适的钼供应不但有利于NO3--N的吸收和向NH4+-N转化.,也有利NH4+-N向有机氮转     

Manganese and molybdenum contents of the cotton plant at different stages of growth

Abstract

Manganese and molybdenum levels in cotton plants belonging to 4 cultivated species and an interspecific hybrid were determined from seedling stage to crop maturity. Irrespective of the species 10 day old seedlings had maximum Mn and Mo. The diploids had higher seedling Mn than tetraploids. There was a sharp fell in leaf and stem Mn with flower bud formation and a similar fall in root Mn from peak flowering. At crop maturity Mn content of leaves, stem and root was the same for different cultivars. Mn content of lint of tetraploids was nearly three times than in diploids.

After seedling stage maximum Mo was in leaves from flower bud initiation to peak flowering and declined rapidly at boll bursting. From square stage Mo in stem fell gradually until harvest whereas in root it remained at more or less the same level with slight differences and fell appreciably at early boll bursting and harvest. Like Mn, at maturity Mo content on unit weight basis was the same. The burs of tetraploids and the hybrid had little more Mo. The seeds of the Gossypium arboreum cultivar and the hybrid contained less Mo than other cultivars.

The levels of Mn at early stages of growth were higher than the toxicity limits reported previously. Similarly at no stage the upper limits of Mo concentration reported earlier could be recorded. The higher levels of Mn recorded in field grown plants caused no toxicity symptoms.     

Effects of Molybdenum,Nickel, and Nitrogen Sources on the Mineral Nutrition and Growth of Rice Plants

Upland rice plants, cultivar ‘IAC 202,’ were grown in nutrient solution until full tillering. Treatments consisted of ammonium nitrate (AN) or urea (UR) as nitrogen (N) source plus molybdenum (Mo) and/or nickel (Ni): AN + Mo + Ni, AN + Mo ? Ni, AN ? Mo + Ni, UR + Mo + Ni, UR + Mo ? Ni, and UR ? Mo + Ni. The experiment was carried out to better understand the effect of these treatments on dry‐matter yield, chlorophyll, net photosynthesis rate, nitrate (NO₃ ^?‐N), total N, in vitro activities of urease and nitrate reductase (NR), and Mo and Ni concentrations. In UR‐grown plants, Mo and Ni addition increased yield of dry matter. Regardless of the N source, chlorophyll concentration and net photosynthesis rate were reduced when Mo or Ni were omitted, although not always significantly. The omission of either Mo or Ni led to a decrease in urease activity, independent of N source. Nitrate reductase activity increased in nutrient solutions without Mo, although NO₃ ^?‐N increased. There was not a consistent variation in total N concentration. Molybdenum and Ni concentration in roots and shoots were influenced by their supply in the nutrient solution. Molybdenum concentration was not influenced by N sources, whereas Ni content in both root and shoots was greater in ammonium nitrate–grown plants. In conclusion, it can be hypothesized that there is a relationship between Mo and Ni acting on photosynthesis, although is an indirect one. This is the first evidence for a beneficial effect of Mo and Ni interaction on plant growth.     

Sensitivity of soft red winter wheat cultivars to chlorate‐induced toxicity

The use of chlorate as a nitrate analogue to screen soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars for differences in nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was studied by adding potassium chlorate to a hydroponic nutrient solution in which wheat seedlings were growing. After 14 days, leaf symptoms indicating chlorate‐induced toxicity were rated. It was hypothesized that wheat plants which were susceptible to chlorate‐induced toxicity reduced chlorate and nitrate more rapidly than did resistant plants. In experiments testing the potential of this assay, wheat and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars previously reported to have low NRA were less susceptible to chlorate‐induced toxicity than were cultivars reported to have high NRA. The assay was used to screen 15 soft red winter wheat cultivars for differences in sensitivity to chlorate‐induced toxicity. Variable toxic reactions were observed both among and within the cultivars. To determine whether the within‐cultivar variation was environmental or genetic, single plant selections for contrasting chlorate response were made, and bulked progeny were rescreened. In eight of 15 cultivars, the contrasting selections were different for chlorate‐induced toxic response, indicating heterogeneity for this trait within these eight cultivars. These chlorate‐selected lines may also be near‐isogenic lines for NRA. Seedling screening of wheat for chlorate response may be useful for identification of high NRA breeding lines.     

Growth and nitrogen fixation by subterranean clover in response to inoculation,molybdenum application and soil amendment with lime

Liming an acid soil increased the yield and N content of subterranean clover in both field and glasshouse experiments. Application of Mo increased the N concentration of field-grown subterranean clover which corresponded with observed colour and growth differences, but did not change C₂H₂ reduction activity. Herbage Mo was not increased by liming, suggesting an absolute deficiency of Mo in these acid soils. In the glasshouse liming increased nodulation which increased the amount of N₂ fixed but the lime had no direct effect on nitrogenase activity as measured by C₂H₂ reduction. In the field both inoculation and lime application increased soil populations of R. trifolii, but clover yield was greater with liming alone than with inoculation alone, indicating the sensitivity of the host plant to soil acidity.