Crop Science Grow Your Career with CSSA
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Published in Crop Sci 18:986-990 (1978)
© 1978 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Westermann, D. T.
Right arrow Articles by Kolar, J. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Westermann, D. T.
Right arrow Articles by Kolar, J. J.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Westermann, D. T.
Right arrow Articles by Kolar, J. J.

Symbiotic N2(C2H2) Fixation by Bean1

D. T. Westermann and J. J. Kolar2

The response of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to N fertilization under field conditions indicates different Rhizobia-cultivar relationships or symbiotic N2-fixation limitations due to the cultivars. We have used the acetylene reduction method to determine the relative seasonal N2(C2H2) fixation of several field-grown bean cultivars. The relative nitrogenase activity was estimated from 8- x 15-cm soil cores taken around the main root of a decapitated plant. Activities rapidly increased from the three-node vegetative (V3) to early pod-filling (R3-R4) growth stages, thereafter decreasing to zero at physiological maturity (R9). Accumulated daily activity totals showed a five- to sixfold difference in seasonal N2(C2H2) fixation between cultivars, which was significantly related to the average nodule weight and to the plant dry weight near physiological maturity. However, cultivars with similar plant dry weights had a two- to threefold difference in relative N2(C2H2) fixation. Seed yields and total-N uptakes were also positively related. These observations indicate that it may be possible to increase both the symbiotic N2 fixation and seed yields through plant breeding.

Key Words: Acetylene reduction assay • N uptake • Seed yields • Nodulation Phaseolus vulgaris

1 Contribution from the SEA, FR, USDA in cooperation with the Univ. of Idaho College of Agric. Res. and Ext. Ctr., Kimberly.

2 Soil scientist, Snake River Conserv. Res. Ctr., and professor of agronomy, Univ. of Idaho Res. and Ext. Ctr., respectively, Kimberly, ID 83341.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
The SCI Journals Agronomy Journal Vadose Zone Journal
Journal of Plant Registrations Soil Science Society of America Journal
Journal of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences Education		 Journal of
Environmental Quality
Copyright © 1978 by the Crop Science Society of America.