Elemental composition of birdsfoot trefoil. [Lotus corniculatus L]
Developmental and environmental effects on mineral nutrient concentration in birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) are not well documented. In this study, elemental composition of two birdsfoot trefoil stands were determined from a late vegetative stage through reproductive growth. Norcen birdsfoot trefoil was established on a Glyndon silt loam (coarse-silty, frigid Aeric Calciaquolis)( in Roseau County, in 1980, and Norcen and Leo birdsfoot trefoil were seeded on a Waukegan silt loam (fine-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludolls) near Rosemount, in 1981. Shoot and root samples were taken at approximately biweekly intervals in the year following establishment. Shoots were separated into stems, leaves, umbels, and seed. Environment influenced the concentration of most elements. This environmental effect was generally consistent among plant parts for C, Mg, S, Na, and Mn; i.e., all parts had lower elemental concentrations at Rosemount than at Roseau. The relationship between environments for P, K, Zn, and Cu concentrations varied with different plant parts; i.e., some plant components had element concentrations higher at the southern than northern location, whereas other components had element concentrations that showed the converse. Although most elements were less concentrated with advancing developmental stage, environment modified the rate and extent of change in concentration of every element in at least one plant part. Interactions of environment with development stage were not as evident for shoots as for the separate shoot components. Whereas other reports have often emphasized the large differences in nutrient concentrations among legume species, this data suggest that nutrient concentration may be as strongly influenced by environment as by species.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul
- OSTI ID:
- 5963615
- Journal Information:
- Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal.; (United States), Vol. 16:9
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CALCIUM
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
COPPER
ENVIRONMENT
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
LEAVES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE
PHOSPHORUS
PLANT STEMS
POTASSIUM
SEEDS
SODIUM
SULFUR
ZINC
LEGUMINOSAE
MINERAL CYCLING
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BACTERIA
ELEMENTS
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
NONMETALS
PLANTS
RHIZOBIUM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)