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N2 fixation by red alder (Alnus rubra) and scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) planted under precommercially thinned Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

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Part of the book series: Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences ((DPSS,volume 12))

Summary

From acetylene reduction assays over a 10-month period starting in April 1979, nodule activities averaged 18.78 (se 4.67) μmoles C2H4 g nodule dw−1 h−1 for Alnus rubra and 59.95 (se 12.14) μmoles C2H4 g nodule dw−1 h−1 for Cytisus scorparius. Plant rates were 1.91 (se.47) μmoles C2H4 plant−1 h−1 for A. rubra and 0.55 (se.17) μmoles C2H4 plant−1 h−1 for C. Scoparius. Plant activity and total leaf N were strongly correlated with the dw of other plant parts, but nodule activity and percent leaf N were not. Plant and nodule activities were not associated with temperature, moisture stress, precipitation events or percent light for either species over the growing season nor for 54 A. rubra sampled in mid-season 1979 on one replication. After 5 to 6 growing seasons, 14 A. rubra on the same site ranged from 30 to 332 cm in height and showed strong correlation between nodule dw, leaf dw, plant size and total leaf N. Results from this study and others indicate logistic equations may be modified to predict the effect of adding a N2 fixing plant to a population of non N2 fixing trees.

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© 1984 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague

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Helgerson, O.T., Gordon, J.C., Perry, D.A. (1984). N2 fixation by red alder (Alnus rubra) and scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) planted under precommercially thinned Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). In: Akkermans, A.D.L., Baker, D., Huss-Danell, K., Tjepkema, J.D. (eds) Frankia Symbioses. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 12. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6158-6_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6158-6_20

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