Effect of Leaf Removal on Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Peanut1

1983 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Osman ◽  
J. C. Wynne ◽  
G. H. Elkan ◽  
T. J. Schneeweis

Abstract The effect of varying levels of leaf defoliation on the nodulation and nitrogen fixation of a Virginia and a spanish-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivar was investigated in the greenhouse. Five leaf defoliation treatments - (a) control (no leaflet removal), (b) 25%, (c) 50%, (d) 75%, and (e) 100% - were carried out every 3 to 5 days throughout the growing period. All nitrogen fixation measurements were affected by the defoliation (leaflet removal) treatments. Increased leaf defoliation reduced nodule formation and N2 fixation. The reduction in plant dry weight, nodule number, nodule dry weight, and nitrogenase activity was most severe for the 100% defoliation treatment. Correlation coefficients (r) of N2 fixation measurements and leaf areas and weights were highly significant. The defoliation effect was similar in both experiments and cultivars; however, the Virginia type achieved higher values for all N2 fixation measurements.

1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. Phillips ◽  
J. C. Wynne ◽  
G. H. Elkan ◽  
T. J. Schneeweis

Abstract Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) may be improved by genetically manipulating the host plant. This requires an understanding of the inheritance of the traits involved in nitrogen fixation. The objectives of this study were to determine the inheritance of several N2 fixation-related traits for two peanut crosses based on Mather and Jink's fixation-related traits for two peanut crosses based on Mather and Jink's additive-dominance model, and to determine if epistasis was important in the inheritance of these traits. A generation means analysis usingparents, reciprocal F1s and F2s, and two back-cross generations was conducted for both crosses. Plants of different generations were grown in modified Leonard jars in the greenhouse for about 60 days at which time nodule number and dry weight, shoot dry weight, nitrogenase activity, and specific activity were measured. Means of the traits for the generations from both crosses (Robut 33-1 x NC 4 and Robut 33-1 x Argentine) showed significant differences. Reciprocal differences were found for most traits measured in the cross of Robut 33-1 x Argentine, a cross of Virginia x Spanish botanical types. Lack of fit of the additive-dominance model indicated significant epistasis for inheritance of nodule number, nodule weight, top dry weight, and nitrogenase activity in both crosses. Three types of digenic interactions (additive x additive, additive x dominance and dominance x dominance) were found. The presence of nonadditive genetic effects suggests that early generation selection would be ineffective.


1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Rai

SummaryHigh-temperature-adapted strains RAU 1, RAU 2 and RAU 3 ofAzospirillum brasilenseC 7 were isolated from stepwise transfer to higher temperature (30 to 42 °C). One of the strains (RAU 1) showed more growth, greater nitrogenase and hydrogenase activities at 30 and 42 °C than parental and other temperature-adapted strains. This strain also showed growth and more nitrogenase activity from pH 6·5 to 8·0. Strain RAU 1 showed cross-resistance to penicillin (300/µg/ml) but not to streptomycin, kanamycin, viomycin and polymixin B at 30 and 42 °C. It was demonstrated in field plots in calcareous soil that seed inoculation with RAU 1 enhanced mineral uptake of cheena. Inoculation with RAU 1 led to a significant increase in associative nitrogen fixation, dry weight of roots, grain and straw yield of cheena compared with the uninoculated control with or without applied N, but the effect of seed inoculation with high-temperature-adapted strains was variable with different genotypes of cheena.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manabu Tobisa ◽  
Masataka Shimojo ◽  
Yasuhisa Masuda

We investigated the root distribution and nitrogen fixation activity of American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americanaL.) cv. Glenn, under waterlogging treatment. The plants were grown in pots under three different treatments: no waterlogging (control), 30 days of waterlogging (experiment 1), and 40 days of waterlogging (experiment 2). The plants were subjected to the treatments on day 14 after germination. Root dry matter (DM) weight distribution of waterlogged plants was shallower than controls after day 20 of waterlogging. Throughout the study period, the total root DM weight in waterlogged plants was similar to that in the controls. Enhanced rooting (adventitious roots) and nodule formation at the stem base were observed in waterlogged plants after day 20 of waterlogging. The average DM weight of individual nodules on the region of the stem between the soil surface and water surface of waterlogged plants was similar to that of individual taproot nodules in the controls. Waterlogged plants had slightly greater plant DM weight than the controls after 40 days of treatment. The total nitrogenase activity (TNA) of nodules and nodule DM weight were higher in waterlogged plants than in the controls. Waterlogged American jointvetch had roots with nodules both around the soil surface and in the area between the soil surface and water surface after 20 days of waterlogging, and they maintained high nitrogenase activity and net assimilation rate that resulted in an increased growth rate.


1980 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Isleib ◽  
J. C. Wynne ◽  
G. H. Elkan ◽  
T. J. Schneeweis

Abstract Manipulation of the host genotype has been proposed as a method of increasing biological nitrogen fixation by rhizobia in symbiosis with the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The F1 generation of a diallel cross of 10 South American cultivars was evaluated in the greenhouse in an analysis of gene action for traits related to nitrogen fixation. The parents represented five secondary centers of diversity and effects in the diallel model were partitioned into among- and within-center components. Variation of center effects was significant for several characters but was smaller in magnitude than within-center variation. Specific combining abilities were significant and accounted for more variability than general combining abilities for nodule number, nodule mass, specific nitrogenase activity, shoot weight, and total nitrogen, indicating non-additive types of gene action. Maternal effects were observed for the same characters. The parents with the highest general combining abilities (GCA's) for nitrogen fixation were both fastigiate types, while Virginia-type parents had generally low GCA's. Correlations between parental and GCA effects were nonsignificant for all traits, so simple evaluation of lines for nitrogen-fixing capacity may not identify superior parents for use in breeding programs.


1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 207-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Rai

SummaryNitrosoguanidine-induced mutation frequencies for resistance to streptomycin, spectinomycin, erythromycin and novomycin were studied inAzospirillum brasilense.Lentil inoculated withA. brasilenseand its mutants andRhizobiumstrains produced increased nodule dry weight, nitrogenase activity of nodules and roots and grain yield compared with an uninoculated control.


1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Arrendell ◽  
J. C. Wynne ◽  
G. H. Elkan ◽  
T. J. Schneeweis

Abstract Improvement of the host contribution to nitrogen fixation has been proposed as a method of increasing nitrogen fixation. Significant variability and generally high broad-sense heritability estimates (.60 ± .27 to .82 ± .26 for nitrogenase activity and .53 ± .29 to .85 ± .26 for shoot dry weight) have been reported for F2-derived families from a cross between the Virginia (Arachis hypogaea L. ssp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar NC 6 and the Spanish (ssp. fastigiata Waldron vulgaris Harz.) breeding line 922, indicating selection for increased nigtogen fixation should be effective in this population. Lines from this population were chosen randomly from F2-derived families selected for high and low nitrogenase activity and high and low shoot dry weight after evaluation at three dates and two locations in each of 2 years (F5 and F6 generations). This study's objectives were to evaluate the N2-fixing ability of the selected lines and to evaluate the association between plant growth habit and N2 fixation. Twenty-four lines in each of the four selection groups and the parents, NC 6 and 922, were evaluated at two sampling dates and two locations. Mean nitrogenase activity of lines selected for increased nitrogenase activity was significantly greater than the mean of the lines selected for low nitrogenase activity. Improved nitrogenase activity was associated with increased fruit weight. The fruit weight mean of the group selected for increased fruit weight. The fruit weight mean of the group selected for increased nitrogenase activity was 39% greater than the mean of the group selected for low nitrogenase activity. Mean shoot dry weight of lines selected for increased shoot dry weight was significantly greater than the mean of the lines selected for low shoot dry weight; however, the fruit weight means of these two groups did not differ. It was hypothesized that selection for increased N2 fixation in a population derived from a cross between Virginia and Spanish types would eliminate genotypes with Spanish growth habit. Groups selected for high nitrogenase activity and for high shoot dry weight had longer and wider leaflets, longer cotyledonary laterals and greater main stem height than did their respective low selection groups. However, these traits chosen to characterize plant growth habit were inadequate in discriminating parental growth habits. Consequently, the data neither substantiated nor refuted the hypothesis.


1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Silsbury ◽  
DW Catchpoole ◽  
W Wallace

Small swards of subterranean clover plants were grown under controlled conditions without mineral nitrogen and allowed to establish an effective nitrogen fixation system. Nutrient solutions containing nitrate from 0 to 16 mM or of ammonium from 0 to 5 mM were then applied and changes in nitrogenase activity (NA) estimated by acetylene reduction assay (AR) and the rate of hydrogen evolution (HE) for periods of up to 35 days. In two experiments a split-root system was used to enable mineral nitrogen to be applied to only one-half of a nodulated root system whilst the NA of both halves was monitored. NA by subterranean clover was very sensitive to exogenous mineral nitrogen, concentrations as low as 0.5 mM NO3- suppressing activity significantly, and 3-5 mM stopping it almost completely within 7 days. The degree of inhibition induced by concentrations between 0.5 and 3 mM NO3- was less at a photon irradiance of 1000 compared with 300 �mol quanta s-1 m-2 . Under some conditions NA continued at a reduced but steady rate in the presence of nitrate. NH4+ also markedly depressed NA but a concentration greater than 5 mM was needed to effect the same response. After NO3- was applied to an active symbiosis, nitrate reductase activity increased as NA decreased. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a direct effect of NO3- on nitrogenase due to the accumulation of toxic NO2-. Although our results allow that assimilate might be diverted from the nodules after the application of NO3- thus reducing N2-fixation, an alternative hypothesis is proposed: that nitrogenase and nitrate reductase work in a complementary manner in supplying reduced nitrogen to whole plants, and NO3- depresses N2-fixation through a regulatory system involving the level of soluble nitrogen in the plant. We conclude that nitrogen fixation by subterranean clover in the field may be depressed below its potential due to the presence of soil mineral nitrogen.


1989 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. Phillips ◽  
J. C. Wynne ◽  
G. H. Elkan ◽  
T. J. Schneeweis

Abstract The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) generally is considered promiscuous since it forms symbioses with a diverse group of Bradyrhizobium. However, specific cultivar-strain combinations like Robut 33–1 and strain NC92 have resulted in significant yield increases, suggesting that host-strain combinations may be selected for superior nitrogen fixation and yield. The objectives of this study were to measure nitrogen fixation-related traits during the growing season and evaluate the interactions between host peanut genotypes and Bradyrhizobium strains under field conditions in North Carolina. A factorial experiment with four cultivars and five inoculants was conducted in two years at two locations (Clayton and Lewiston) in North Carolina. Traits measured during the growing season were nodule number and weight, root weight (1983 only), shoot weight, pod weight, nitrogenase activity and specific nitrogenase activity. In 1984, fruit yield was measured at harvest. Results indicated that cultivars and strains were different for most traits in 1983 at Clayton but significant host-strain interactions occurred only for nodule weight at 60 days after planting (DAP) and root weight at 132 DAP. In 1984, Clayton results indicated cultivar-strain interactions for all traits at 73 DAP and for several traits at 109 DAP. At Lewiston only cultivar differences were important. The Clayton fields had low populations of native Bradyrhizobium while Lewiston had a high level of the bacteria. Inoculation produced substantial yield increases at Clayton but not at Lewiston. Robut 33–1 inoculated with strain NC92 did not yield more than with other strains. Further study is needed to explain why repeated increases in yield were obtained with Robut 33–1/NC92 in tropical studies but not in North Carolina. The possibility still exists that superior cultivar-strain combinations can be identified.


1985 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Rai

SUMMARYAzospirillum brasilense was treated with nitrosoguanidine and five antibiotic-resistant mutant strains isolated. Variations in growth, N2-fixation, ultraviolet-dark survival and level of antibiotic resistance were found between the mutant strains. Mutant strains STR 112 and KR 2051 showed maximum nitrogenase activity, glutamine synthetase activity and hydrogenase activity (H2uptake) at 32 °C and 40 °C respectively. Inoculation of cheena genotypes withA. brasilenseand its mutants led to significant increase in associative nitrogen fixation, dry weight of roots and grain yield compared with the uninoculated control, with significant strains × genotypes interactions in calcareous soil. It was also noted that under laboratory conditionsAzospirilluminoculation may have produced its response by hormonal means and/or associative N2-fixation.


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