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Growth, Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation in Stylosanthes: Effect of Different Root Temperatures at two Shoot Temperatures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

R. A. Date  and
D. Ratcliff
R. A. Date
Affiliation:
Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, CSIRO, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
D. Ratcliff
Affiliation:
Division of Mathematics and Statistics, CSIRO, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Queensland 4067, Australia
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Summary

Nodulated plants of Stylosanthes hamata, S. guianensis, S. humilis, S. scabra and S. fruticosa were grown in controlled environments with varied root and shoot temperatures. Measurement of dry matter and nitrogen content suggested that shoot temperature may be more important than root temperature in controlling growth and nitrogen fixation. There were strong interactions with variety. A fall in relative growth rate with increase in shoot temperature was least for S. guianensis and greatest for S. hamata and S. scabra. The optimum root temperature for growth and nitrogen fixation was approximately 30°C. Ninety percent maximum yield was achieved between root temperatures of 15–36°C for growth and 23–34°C for nitrogen fixation but varied with variety. Nitrogen fixation was more sensitive than dry weight to root temperature. The pattern of response of percentage nitrogen and nitrogen fixation efficiency reflected those for dry weight and nitrogen yields. Shoot to root ratios decreased toward the optimum root temperature then increased at the highest temperature. The reaction of varieties to root and shoot temperatures may be an important factor in determining their suitability for new regions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 25 , Issue 4 , October 1989 , pp. 447 - 460
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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