Nodulation of cowpeas and survival of cowpeas Rhizobia in acid, aluminum-rich soils. [Vigna unguiculata; Rhizobium]

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1983.03615995004700030024x· OSTI ID:6980069

Hartel, P G; Whelan, A M; Alexander, M

A study was undertaken to determine whether the reduced nodulation of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) grown in certain acid, Alrich soils resulted from the poor survival of the potentially infective rhizobia. Two strains of Rhizobium capable of nodulating cowpeas were used. The lowest pH for growth in defined liquid medium was 4.2 for one strain and 3.9 for the other. Only the latter was Al tolerant and could grow in a defined liquid medium containing 50 ..mu..M KAl(SO/sub 4/)/sub 2/. The survival of the bacteria and their ability to nodulate cowpeas in three soils were measured after the soils were amended with Ca or Al salts to give pH values ranging from 5.7 to 4.1 and extractable-Al concentrations from < 0.1 to 3.7 cmol(p/sup +/)/kg of soil. Only small differences in survival in 7 or 8 weeks were noted between the two strains. Plants inoculated with the Al-sensitive strain bore significantly fewer nodules in the more acid, Al-rich soils than in the same soils with higher pH values and less extractable Al. No significant reduction in nodule number was evident for plants inoculated with the Al-tolerant strain and grown in the more acid, Al-rich soils compared to cowpeas grown in the same soils with higher pH values and less extractable Al. It is suggested that the Al content of soil is not a major factor in the survival of cowpea rhizobia but that it does have a significant effect on nodulation. 24 references, 3 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
• OSTI ID: 6980069
• Journal Information: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States), Vol. 47
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALUMINIUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
LEGUMINOSAE
PLANT GROWTH
SOILS
ACIDIFICATION
BACTERIA
CALCIUM
NITROGEN FIXATION
PH VALUE
SYMBIOSIS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
PLANTS
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)