Inoculation responses of perennial forage legumes grown in fresh hill-land ultisols as affected by soil acidity-related factors
1991
Staley, T.E. | Wright, R.J.
A growth chamber experiment was initiated with two field moist, marginal and acidic (pH 5.1-5.2) soils of the Lily series (Typic Hapludults) in order to determine the need for improved legume-rhizobia symbioses for forage species of current, or potential, use in the renovation of Appalachian hill-land pastures. One soil was from an abandoned pasture having broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus L.) as the predominant vegetation, whereas the other was from a minimally-managed pasture dominated by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Treatments included inoculation (or no inoculation) and the addition of aluminum, nil, or lime to provide a range of soil acidities. Both soils contained effective populations of naturalized rhizobia for white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), but low and/or ineffective naturalized populations of rhizobia for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), bigflower vetch (Vicia grandiflora Scop.), and flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.). Seed inoculation, by lime-pelleting, was highly beneficial in establishing effective symbioses for all these latter species. The addition of low levels of aluminum or lime (1.5 and 2.0 cmol/kg soil, respectively) had little effect on any of the symbioses, with the exception of those for alfalfa. Thus, an improved legume rhizobia symbiosis would not seem to be a prerequisite for renovating pastures established on chemically similar ultisols with the forage legume species examined in this study, especially if the pasture has at least some history of management.
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