Photosynthate partitioning and nitrogen fixation of alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil. [Lotus corniculatus L. ; Medicago sativa L]
Nodule mass and number are usually correlated with rates of nitrogen fixation in legumes. Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) with more than twice the nodule number and mass, however, fixes far less nitrogen than alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at the same age. In this research, photosynthesis and photosynthate partitioning and utilization in relation to nitrogen fixation of alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil were examined in order to determine their relationship to nitrogen fixation potential. Photosynthate to nodules was studied using /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ labeling techniques. Partitioning patterns were altered by shading and dark depletion treatments. Efficiency of photosynthate utilization was examined by determining turnover of /sup 14/C photosynthate in nodule metabolites and by studying rates of cyanide-resistant and cyanide-sensitive O/sub 2/ uptake. Alfalfa nodule activity was greater than trefoil expressed on a hole pot or nodule dry weight basis. Both shading and dark treatments significantly reduced nodule activity as estimated by the acetylene reduction assay. Shoots of both species were found to be the dominant sinks for photosynthate. Percentage /sup 14/C recovered in alfalfa roots was more than twice that of trefoil at 1,2,3,4 and 24 h after labeling. Greater relative specific radioactivity (RSA) in nodules of both species suggests that they were stronger sinks for current photosynthate than roots.
- Research Organization:
- Ohio State Univ., Columbus (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5220324
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Photosynthate partitioning in alfalfa before harvest and during regrowth. [Medicago sativa L]
Elemental composition of birdsfoot trefoil. [Lotus corniculatus L]
Related Subjects
LEGUMINOSAE
NITROGEN FIXATION
ALFALFA
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
LEAVES
METABOLITES
OXYGEN
PARTITION
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
ROOTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PLANTS
SYNTHESIS
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques