Estimating N2-fixation by pueraria phaseoloides in rubber interrows using the 15N isotope dilution technique


Citation

Ahmad Ikram A. J., . and Mohd. Noor S., . and Jensen E. S., . Estimating N2-fixation by pueraria phaseoloides in rubber interrows using the 15N isotope dilution technique. pp. 199-208. ISSN 0127-7065

Abstract

Symbiotic N2-fixation by field-grown Pueraria phaseoloides was assessed using the 15N-dilution method. The legume was established on an Oxisol between interrows of rubber which had been growing for three years. The effect of shading by the expanding canopies of rubber trees was also evaluated. The test legume and the non-fixing reference crop (Ipomoea batatas) were grown in separate plots and labelled N applied in equal amounts to both crops. At periodic harvests of30 63 and 97 days following I5N application the isotopic composition of fresh shoot and decomposing litter samples of both crops were determined to evaluate the contribution of N2 fixed to total plant N. The effect of time of harvest or light regime on shoot- Ndfa was not significant except during the third harvest where a significant reduction of Ndfa occurred in plants grown under pruned (light) canopies. The proportion of P. phaseoloides N derived from fixation for shoot averaged 73.7 (range 59.9-83.8) and this estimate corresponded to 49 kg N/ha fixed after 97 days. Estimates of N2-fixation using the classical N-difference method gave values averaging 53 kg N/ha. Estimated N2 -fixation declined from the first to the third harvest that could be due to litter production being higher than the assimilation of N. The effect of light regime on legume shoot dry matter yields or on N concentrations and contents were also not significant at all harvests although shoot yields were significantly lower for legumes grown under shade at the second harvest. However litter production was much higher for legumes grown in light.


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Abstract

Symbiotic N2-fixation by field-grown Pueraria phaseoloides was assessed using the 15N-dilution method. The legume was established on an Oxisol between interrows of rubber which had been growing for three years. The effect of shading by the expanding canopies of rubber trees was also evaluated. The test legume and the non-fixing reference crop (Ipomoea batatas) were grown in separate plots and labelled N applied in equal amounts to both crops. At periodic harvests of30 63 and 97 days following I5N application the isotopic composition of fresh shoot and decomposing litter samples of both crops were determined to evaluate the contribution of N2 fixed to total plant N. The effect of time of harvest or light regime on shoot- Ndfa was not significant except during the third harvest where a significant reduction of Ndfa occurred in plants grown under pruned (light) canopies. The proportion of P. phaseoloides N derived from fixation for shoot averaged 73.7 (range 59.9-83.8) and this estimate corresponded to 49 kg N/ha fixed after 97 days. Estimates of N2-fixation using the classical N-difference method gave values averaging 53 kg N/ha. Estimated N2 -fixation declined from the first to the third harvest that could be due to litter production being higher than the assimilation of N. The effect of light regime on legume shoot dry matter yields or on N concentrations and contents were also not significant at all harvests although shoot yields were significantly lower for legumes grown under shade at the second harvest. However litter production was much higher for legumes grown in light.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: Pueraria phaseoloides
AGROVOC Term: Isotope dilution method
AGROVOC Term: Nitrogen fixation
AGROVOC Term: Rubber crops
AGROVOC Term: Interrow placement
AGROVOC Term: Oxisols
AGROVOC Term: Shading
AGROVOC Term: Tree canopy
AGROVOC Term: Ipomoea batatas
AGROVOC Term: Plots
Geographical Term: Malaysia
Depositing User: Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified: 28 Apr 2025 03:58
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/23392

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