Symbiotic performance of Mediterranean Trifolium spp. with naturalised soil rhizobia

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 903 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Drew ◽  
N. Charman ◽  
R. Dingemanse ◽  
E. Hall ◽  
R. A. Ballard
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rhizobium Leguminosarum ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Symbiotic Efficiency ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Mediterranean Origin ◽  
Inoculant Strain

Naturalised soil rhizobia that nodulate clover occur in high number and are known to vary in their symbiotic performance (SP) with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). However, the extent of suboptimal fixation across a range of other clover species is not well understood. T. subterraneum and nine other annual clover species of Mediterranean origin were evaluated for their SP in combination with the naturalised clover rhizobia in 71 Australian soils and five strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii that have been used in the inoculants produced for clovers. The most probable number method, using subterranean clover as the trap plant was used to estimate the number of clover rhizobia in the soils. Ninety-two percent of soils tested contained more than 1000 rhizobia/g. An extract of each soil, or strain of rhizobia was used to inoculate plants growing in N-deficient media in the greenhouse. Plants were grown for 4 weeks after inoculation and shoot dry matter determined and expressed as a percentage of the ‘best’ soil rhizobia treatment, to provide a proportional measure of SP for each clover species. SP (mean of clover species) ranged from 96% with the current inoculant strain for annual clovers (WSM1325) down to 48% with former inoculant strain WU95. When inoculated with soils predominantly from mainland Australia, SP (mean of soil treatments) of the different Trifolium spp. was 55% (resupinatum), 53–47% (subterraneum), 50% (nigrescens), 49% (michelianum), 48% (isthmocarpum), 38% (hirtum), 35% (purpureum), 32% (vesiculosum), 25% (spumosum) and 21% (glanduliferum). Within each of the clover species, SP resulting from individual soil treatments ranged from 100% (by definition for the best soil treatment) down to close to zero. Trifolium glanduliferum formed nodules readily with the inoculant strains but nodulation was erratic with the rhizobia in many soils. It is therefore proposed that the naturalised rhizobia in many soils are unlikely to be inoculant strains. This research demonstrates symbiotic efficiency across annual clover species is compromised where diverse populations of clover rhizobia have naturalised in soils.

Diversity and symbiotic effectiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii isolates from pasture soils in south-western Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Collins ◽  
J. E. Thies ◽  
L. K. Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Rhizobium Leguminosarum ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Symbiotic Effectiveness ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Pcr Fingerprinting ◽  
Rapd Pcr ◽  
Inoculant Strain

The abundance of the Australian inoculant strain of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii for subterraneum clover (WU95) and the diversity of naturalised rhizobia were assessed in 3 subterranean clover pastures in the Albany region of south-western Western Australia. Most probable number, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used. A putative strain similar to inoculant strain WU96 was uncommon at one site (South Stirling) and not isolated at 2 other sites. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR fingerprinting using the RPO1 primer identified 45 different profiles amongst the 208 isolates examined. RAPD-PCR fingerprinting using the primers RPO4 and RPO5 confirmed most groupings based on RPO1 fingerprint patterns and revealed further genetic diversity within some groups. Overall, 54 putative strains were defined by RAPD-PCR fingerprint profiles across the 3 sites. Subterranean clover rhizobia at the Manypeaks and Mount Shadforth sites were dominated by isolates with 1 or 2 RPO1 RAPD profiles at 2 sampling times, while the population at South Stirling was much more diverse. The symbiotic effectiveness of 11 rhizobial isolates, representing the major RPO1 RAPD profile groups within naturalised rhizobial populations, were compared in pot culture with those of the 2 commercial inoculant strains for subterranean clover, WU95 and TA1, on 3 cultivars. Differences in effectiveness among 3 of the 11 isolates were observed in comparison to both the commercial strains and other naturalised isolates. The nitrogen fixing effectiveness of 8 isolates representing different subgroups from one RP01 group was not the same. The use of all 3 primers increased the precision in defining putative strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, and although naturalised rhizobia from these pastures are saprophytically competent, their dominance in nodules does not appear to be linked to symbiotic effectiveness.

Agronomic and environmental drivers of population size and symbiotic performance of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae in Mediterranean-type environments

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Drew ◽  
M. D. Denton ◽  
V. O. Sadras ◽  
R. A. Ballard
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rhizobium Leguminosarum ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Commercial Strain

The population size and symbiotic performance (ability to fix N2) of rhizobia (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae) capable of nodulating field pea (Pisum sativum) were assessed in 114 soils from Mediterranean-type environments of southern Australia. All soils were collected in autumn, before the growing season, and had a history of crop legumes including field pea, faba bean, lentil, or vetch. The most probable number (MPN) technique, with vetch as a trap plant, was used to estimate the numbers of pea rhizobia in soils. Of the soils tested, 29% had low numbers of pea rhizobia (<100 rhizobia/g), 38% had moderate numbers (100–1000/g), and the remaining 33% had >1000/g. Soil pH, the frequency of a host crop in the rotation, and the number of summer days with a maximum temperature >35°C were strongly correlated with the pea rhizobia population size. Symbiotic performance (SP) of pea rhizobia in soils was assessed for soils with a MPN >100 rhizobia/g. An extract of the soils was used to inoculate two field pea cultivars growing in a nitrogen-deficient potting media in the greenhouse. Plants were grown for 5 weeks after inoculation and shoot dry matter was expressed as a percentage of the dry matter of plants grown with a commercial strain R. leguminosarum bv. viciae, SU303. Symbiotic performance ranged from 25 to 125%. One-quarter of the soils assessed had suboptimal SP (i.e. <70%). Soil and climatic variables were weakly associated with SP, with pH and average annual rainfall accounting for 17% of the variance. This research highlights the complexity of factors influencing population size and symbiotic performance of pea rhizobia in soils. Options for the improved management of populations of pea rhizobia in Mediterranean environments are discussed. Specifically, our data indicate that inoculation of pea crops is likely to be beneficial where pH(H2O) <6.6, particularly when summers have been hot and dry and when a host has been absent for ≥5 years, as numbers of rhizobia are likely to be below the thresholds needed to optimise nodulation and crop growth. New inoculation technologies and plant breeding will be required to overcome large populations of pea rhizobia with suboptimal SP.

The influence of seed size and depth of sowing on pre-emergence and early vegetative growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Relative Rate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Total Leaf Area ◽  
Pot Culture

Changes in the pre-emergence distribution of dry matter in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) variety Bacchus Marsh were followed at 21°C, using three sizes of seed and three depths of sowing, ½, 1¼, and 2 in. Decreasing seed size and increasing depth of sowing both reduce the weight of the cotyledons a t emergence. Seed of the three sizes were sown a t three depths in pot culture a t staggered intervals so that emergence was simultaneous. Dry weight in the early vegetative stage was proportional to seed size, and total leaf area and leaf numbers showed similar trends. Plants of each seed size grew at the same relative rate. No effect of depth of sowing could be detected, and this was shown to be due to the cotyledon area a t emergence being constant for any given seed size, regardless of varying depth of sowing and hence of cotyledon weight. It was concluded that seed size in a plant having epigeal germination and without endosperm is of importance: firstly, in limiting the maximum hypocotyl elongation and hence depth of sowing, and secondly, in determining cotyledon area. Cotyledon area in turn influences seedling growth, which is not affected by cotyledon weight. Once emergence has taken place, cotyledonary reserves are of no further significance in the growth of the plants.

Response of defoliated swards of subterranean clover and yellow serradella to superphosphate applications

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 777
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Ornithopus Compressus ◽  
The Relationship

The effect of superphosphate applications (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg P/ha to the soil surface) on the dry matter (DM) herbage production of dense swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Junee) and yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus cv. Tauro) was measured in a field experiment on deep, sandy soil in south-western Australia. The swards were defoliated with a reel mower at weekly intervals from 88 to 158 days after sowing, to a height of 2 cm for the first 9 cuts, 4 cm for the tenth cut and 5 cm for the eleventh cut. Yellow serradella was more productive than subterranean clover. Consequently, for the relationship between yield and the level of phosphorus (P) applied, yellow serradella supported larger maximum yields and required less P than subterranean clover, to produce the same DM herbage yield. Maximum yields of yellow serradella were 12-40% larger. To produce 70% of the maximum yield for yellow serradella at each harvest, yellow serradella required about 50% less P than subterranean clover. However, when yields were expressed as a percentage of the maximum yield measured for each species at each harvest, the relationship between yield and the level of P applied was similar for both species, and they had similar P requirements.

Pasture legume species differ in their capacity to acidify soil

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Tang ◽  
L. Barton ◽  
C. Raphael
Keyword(s):  
Acid Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Total Acid ◽  
Ash Alkalinity ◽  
Ornithopus Sativus ◽  
Excess Cations ◽  
Pasture Legume

The capacity of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Clare), medic (Medicago murex Willd. cv. Zodiac), serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot. line SP1/13), biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L. line Mor99), and woolly clover (Trifolium tomentosum L.) to acidify soil under N2 fixation was compared in a pot experiment using a poorly buffered sandy soil. The amount of acid produced per kg shoot dry matter (specific acid production) varied betweefin species and with growth stages, ranging from 44 to 128 cmol/kg shoot. Subterranean clover and serradella acidied soil to a greater extent than woolly clover and medic, whereas biserrula acidified soil least. Irrespective of pasture species and growth stage, specific acid production correlated well with concentrations of excess cations and calcium in shoots. Furthermore, total excess cation, ash alkalinity, and calcium in shoots were all good indicators of total acid production across all of the species.

Seed yield and nutritive value of dry, mature subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. J. Ru ◽  
J. A. Fortune
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Zinc Content ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Wide Range

The nutritive value of 26 cultivars of dry, mature subterranean clover was evaluated at Shenton Park, Perth, Western Australia. The cultivars were divided into 3 maturity groups according to flowering time and each cultivar was sown in blocks comprising 4 replicates. The plots were grazed by sheep at 2-week intervals during the growing season. Dry mature plant material and soil were sampled in summer to examine the effect of grazing and cultivar on seed yield and nutritive value of feed residues. Cultivars heavily grazed in spring had a low herbage mass. There was no difference in seed yield and seed weight between heavily and lightly grazed cultivars. Dry matter digestibility and mineral content of dry residues was inconsistent for the 2 grazing treatments. The dry matter digestibility of dry, mature subterranean clover ranged from 40 to 56%, with a wide range of crude fibre, nitrogen and mineral content for the 26 cultivars. While most minerals in the dry residues were above the requirement for sheep, 7 cultivars had a zinc content less than the maintenance requirement for sheep. There was an imbalance for all cultivars in calcium: phosphorus with a range of 4–10: 1. Concurrent estimates on the yield and composition of seed indicated that seed can be resource of minerals for grazing animals in summer. Most cultivars had a seed yield over 100 g/m2 with that of 9 cultivars being over 130 g/m2. Seed was rich in nitrogen, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc and copper, and poor in sodium, calcium and manganese. However, there were no cultivars with an appropriate ratio of calcium and phosphorus. The imbalance in nitrogen and sulfur was a result of high nitrogen content with the ratio ranging from 19: 1 to 29: 1.

Effects of time and rate of paraquat application on yield and botanical composition of annual pastures containing subterranean clover in a Mediterranean climate

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
DW Barrett ◽  
GW Arnold ◽  
NA Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Minimum Loss ◽  
Major Species ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus ◽  
Clover Content ◽  
Made In

Pastures containing subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and either Vulpia spp. or Bromus rigidus as the other major species were sprayed at 0, 0.07, 0.14 and 0.21 kg a.i. ha-1 of paraquat ion between June and early October in Western Australia. Spraying removed the grasses and produced pastures containing up to 95 per cent clover. Mid-winter applications were more effective in increasing clover content than those made in spring. These changes in botanical composition were evident in the year following spraying, but were less marked. Yields of dry matter were reduced by paraquat, especially 'in the period immediately following spraying. These losses tended to decline as the growing season progressed, but at the close they were still evident on the Bromus rigidus pasture sprayed in July. Yields at the end of the subsequent season were similar on all treatments. Paraquat applied in mid-August at 0.14 kg a.i. ha-1 to both pastures produced the greatest change in botanical composition with the minimum loss of yield. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were higher in mature herbage on paraquat treatments. Total yields of nutrients were similar between treatments because of reduced dry matter yield.

The performance of subterranean, rose, and cupped clovers under set-stocking

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (59) ◽  
pp. 608 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter ◽  
GB Taylor ◽  
GW Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Gravelly Soil ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Rose ◽  
Clover Pasture

Pasture swards of the annual clovers Trifolium subterraneum (CV. Geraldton), T. hirtum (CV. Kondinin), and T. cherleri (CV. Yamina), and a mixture of all three were sown on a gravelly soil at Bakers Hill, Western Australia, in 1964. All pastures were set-stocked at 5 sheep ha-l from April 1965-April 1968, and at 8 sheep ha-1 from April 1968-March 1970. From 1966 onwards the amount of pasture dry matter on offer in July and September was two to four times as great on the subterranean clover pasture as on rose or cupped clover pastures. Moreover, the subterranean clover pasture resisted invasion by volunteer annuals more strongly. The mixed clover pasture was dominated by subterranean clover by 1966, and remained so thereafter. For the first four seasons of grazing, wool production was consistently higher (on average, 14 per cent higher) on rose clover than on subterranean clover pasture, and slightly lower still on cupped clover. In the fifth season, when grazing pressure was higher than previously, the rose and cupped clovers 'crashed', and subterranean clover produced most wool. We argue that the higher wool production on rose clover during 1965-1969 was due to some factor additional to digestible organic matter intake.

The effect of time of application of superphosphate on seasonal yield of dry matter from annual pasture

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (57) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
AA McGowan ◽  
IH Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Phosphorus Requirement ◽  
June July

The effect of time of application of superphosphate on the dry matter produced from a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum)annual grass pasture was studied. Treatments involved an annual topdressing of superphosphate, at 125 kg ha-1, in a particular month of the year, for each of the twelve months ; there was also an unfertilized control. In winter, dry matter yield was increased by 350-1190 kg ha-1 when superphosphate was applied at any time of the year. Winter yields were higher after application in January to May (mean 1570 kg ha-1) than in October to December (mean 1190 kg ha-1) or in June-July (mean 1230 kg ha-1). In spring, the greatest increases in dry matter yield were from topdressing in August or September (1600 and 1210 kg ha-1 respectively). Spring yields following application in other months were smaller but usually significantly greater than the yield of unfertilized pasture. The response to autumn application of superphosphate was much greater in winter than in spring. This was not due to a lower phosphorus requirement by the pasture in spring than in winter.

Differential tolerance of annual medics, Nungarin subterranean clover and hedge mustard to broadleaf herbicides

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
RR Young ◽  
KJ Morthorpe ◽  
PH Croft ◽  
H Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Salt ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Medicago Littoralis ◽  
Annual Medics ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Test Plants ◽  
Degree Of Recovery

The tolerance of 5 species of annual medics (Medicago spp.), Trifolium subterraneum cv. Nungarin, and hedge mustard (Sisymbrium orientale) to a range of post-emergence broadleaf herbicides was tested over 2 years. The least damaging to M. truncatula was 2,4-DB, which provided more consistent and effective control of hedge mustard than the other chemicals tested, including the less expensive tank mix of 2,4-DB + diuron. MCPA amine or sodium salt (300 g a.i./ha), bromoxynil (420 g a.i./ha), and tank mixes containing MCPA amine (150-175 g a.i./ha) severely damaged annual medics, particularly M. truncatula, with flowering delayed by up to 21 days, and dry matter and seed yields often significantly (P<0.05) reduced. Seed yields of most test plants indicated a degree of recovery from herbicide damage assessed visually after 10 days. Hedge mustard was not always as severely damaged by MCPA amine as was M. truncatula. Nungarin subterranean clover and M. aculeata SAD 2356 were more tolerant than the M. truncatula cultivars of MCPA amine, MCPA sodium salt, MCPA tank mixes, and bromoxynil, and less tolerant of 2,4-DB. Medicago littoralis, M. polymorpha and M. laciniata were severely damaged by bromoxynil but were more tolerant of MCPA than M. truncatula.

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