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The Nodulation Status of Trifolium ambiguum
Author(s) -
Parker Don T.,
Allen O. N.
Publication year - 1952
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1952.03615995001600040007x
Subject(s) - rhizobia , trifolium subterraneum , biology , repens , trifolium repens , botany , legume , symbiosis , agronomy , pasture , bacteria , genetics
Trifolium ambiguum (kura, Pellett or honey clover) is a potentially important clover species, although nodule occurrence on its roots is rare, and evidence is lacking that it benefits from any association with rhizobia. The objective of this study was to ascertain the response patterns of this clover and 7 allied species to 35 diverse strains of Rhizobium trifolii . Diverse categories of plant response were defined in reciprocal inoculation tests. T. hybridum (alsike) and T. repens f. giganteum (Ladino) were benefited by 31 strains. Twenty‐two strains brought about ineffective responses on T. incarnatum (crimson) and T. subterraneum (sub). T. ambiguum was only sparsely nodulated and not benefited by any of the strains. The rhizobia isolated from T. ambiguum brought about typical ranges of plant response of the seven other clover species tested. T. procumbens (low hop) and T. repens f. giganteum (Ladino) were benefited by all of the strains from T. ambiguum . Only three of the Pellett clover strains were effective on T. incarnatum and T. subterraneum . Nodules were not formed on T. ambiguum by any of 52 rhizobial strains from 26 ecologically related species contained in 23 leguminous genera. Probable explanations for the sparse nodulation and lack of effective response by T. ambiguum to rhizobia are suggested.