Estimation of nitrogen fixation by Trifoliumsubterraneum L. and Medicago truncatula gaertn. grown in pots using a non-destructive acetylene reduction assay

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Abstract

Non-destructive acetylene reduction assays were successfully performed using small (1.21) incubation chambers and a 1 h incubation at 20°C. The concentration of C2H2 substrate used in the assays reached saturation at a partial pressure of 10 kPa for nodulated subterranean clover and barrel medic grown in a sandy loam. The optimum rates of C2H2 reduction associated with both species occurred within the range of 25–50% of the soil moisture content at field capacity (33 kPa). The ratio of moles N2 fixed to moles C2H2 reduced was calculated to be 1:2.9 for the subterranean clover—Rhizobium symbiosis and 1:3.3 for the barrel medic—Rhizobium symbiosis.

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Present address: Division of Research and Education, Forests Commission of Victoria, Melbourne 3001, Victoria, Australia.

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