Nodulation behaviour and nitrogen fixation potential of some important tree species of western Himalayas
2012
Kashyap, S.D. | Kumar, R. | Sharma, K.
The role of nitrogen fixing trees in improvement of soil fertility is well documented. Seeds of Acacia catechu, Albizia chinensis and Alnus nitida were sown in polybags (30 cm x 45 cm) in the month of March to study their nodulation behaviour and nitrogen fixation potential. Observations on nodulation were made during June (pre-monsoon); December (early winter) and September (postmonsoon) i.e. at the age of 3, 9 and 18 months. The nitrogen fixation potential was, however, estimated after 18 months. Number and biomass (fresh and dry) of nodules on different root categories (primary, secondary and tertiary) were recorded and data were analyzed as per completely randomized block design. The order of nodulation (number of nodules/plant) was Alnus nitida (800)> Albizia chinensis (75)> Acacia catechu (61), despite the delayed nodulation in A. nitida. The shapes of their respective nodules were spheroidal imbedded with small beads, palmate type and more or less cylindrical, respectively. Least nodulation was observed during June (3 months) and maximum during next September (18 months). However, good size of nodules with regard to age of plants was observed in December (9 months). Efficiency of roots to nodulate decreased from tap root to laterals. Though most of the nodules were concentrated on the latter yet the earliest nodulation was observed in former. The highest nitrogen content was recorded in roots and shoots of Alnus nitida followed by Albizia chinensis and lowest in Acacia catechu. Contrary to this, maximum nitrogen content was registered in nodules of Acacia catechu and minimum in Alnus nitida. Alnus nitida (14.10 kgha yr⁻¹) fixed the highest quantity of nitrogen followed by Albizia chinensis (8.84 kgha yr⁻¹) and Acacia catechu (7.41 kgha yr⁻¹).
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