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Biological N 2 Fixation, Belowground Responses, and Forage Potential of Rhizoma Peanut Cultivars
Author(s) -
Dubeux José C.B.,
Blount Ann R.S.,
Mackowiak Cheryl,
Santos Erick R.S.,
Pereira Neto José D.,
Riveros Ulises,
Garcia Liza,
Jaramillo David M.,
RuizMoreno Martin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2016.09.0810
Subject(s) - rhizome , cultivar , biology , perennial plant , monoculture , agronomy , organic matter , forage , biomass (ecology) , botany , ecology
Grasslands in warm‐climate regions are often based on grass monocultures, increasing their dependence on N fertilizers. Integrating perennial legumes into grass pastures is a logical option. The objective of this 2‐yr study was to assess seven rhizoma peanut ( Arachis glabrata Benth) cultivars: Arbrook, Arblick, Ecoturf, Florigraze, Latitude 34, UF Peace, and UF Tito. Above‐ and belowground responses included biomass, in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD), N concentration, N content, δ 15 N, proportion of N derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa), and biological N 2 fixation (BNF). Arbrook was more productive than Florigraze in both years ( P ≤ 0.05) but produced similar biomass to other varieties in 2014. In 2015, Arbrook also was more productive than Arblick and Latitude 34. Herbage N concentration ranged from 19.2 to 36.3 g kg −1 . Arbrook tended to be less digestible than other rhizoma peanut cultivars. The BNF represented >80% of herbage N and averaged 200 kg N ha −1 yr −1 , with values ranging from 123 to 280 kg N ha −1 yr −1 . Root and rhizome biomass varied among cultivars, with Ecoturf (26.9 Mg organic matter [OM] ha −1 ) and Latitude 34 (27.8 Mg OM ha −1 ) presenting greater root and rhizome mass than Florigraze (10.5 Mg OM ha −1 ) but similar to other varieties. Roots and rhizomes represented a significant portion of the total biomass and N pool, and further studies are needed to assess turnover of these tissues as well as their N contribution in grazing systems using grass–rhizoma peanut mixtures.