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Growth and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation of Vicia faba and Phaseolus vulgaris as Affected by Fertiliser Potassium and Temperature
Author(s) -
Sangakkara Ravi,
Hartwig Ueli A,
Nösberger Josef
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(199603)70:3<315::aid-jsfa504>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - potassium , nitrogen fixation , nitrogen , nutrient , temperate climate , agronomy , legume , biology , chemistry , horticulture , botany , ecology , organic chemistry
Potassium is major nutritional factor influencing plants' ability to overcome stress. Thus the effect of this nutrient on plant growth and symbiotic nitrogen fixation could be critical. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of three levels of potassium fertiliser (0·1, 0·8 and 3·0 mM potassium) and two day/night temperature regimes (30°C/23°C—supra‐optimal and 23°C/18°C—optimal) on the vegetative growth and symbiotic nitrogen fixation of two legumes. The crops selected were faba bean, an amide producing temperate species, and French beans, a ureide‐producing tropical legume. Potassium increased relative growth rates of faba bean to a greater extent than in French beans with 3·0 mM potassium under the high temperatures. The influence of potassium was less evident at the lower temperature. Specific leaf weights of both species were reduced by potassium indicating the influence of this nutrient in the process of translocation of photosynthates. Total nitrogen concentrations of both species were lower and potassium concentrations were greater under supra‐optimal temperatures. Nodulation was not observed in faba beans at this temperature. Potassium increased nodulation and nitrogen fixation of faba bean under optimal temperatures and at both temperatures in French beans. In contrast, specific activity of nodules and percentage nitrogen derived from fixation were not affected by potassium at both temperatures. Potassium reduced the impact of high temperatures especially in temperate faba beans when compared with tropical French beans by enhancing vegetative growth, nodulation and total tropical nitrogen fixation.