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Nitrogen Fixation by Algae in Fescuegrass Soil Crusts
Author(s) -
Reddy Gudiogopuram B.,
Giddens Joel
Publication year - 1975
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/sssaj1975.03615995003900040024x
Subject(s) - oscillatoria , nitrogen fixation , crust , nostoc , nitrogen , subsoil , algae , agronomy , nitrate , ammonium , botany , chemistry , biology , soil water , cyanobacteria , geology , geochemistry , soil science , ecology , genetics , organic chemistry , bacteria
Abstract Soil crusts and subsoil samples of different ages of tall fescuegrass ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were collected and analyzed for N, C, and acetylene reduction. Total N and C in the crust was 0.18% and 2.76%, respectively, in 4‐year old soil crust as compared to 0.06% and 0.67%, respectively, in fallow soil. The amount of acetylene reduction after 5 days' incubation was 13.77 µmole/flask (9.6 cm 2 ) for the 4‐year‐old sod crust compared to 3.06 µmole/flask for the fallow control. Ammonium nitrate reduced and liming increased N fixation in the crust. Nitrogen fixation in the crust was highest at 55% shade. Blue‐green algae present in the crust were Anabaena, Nostoc, Syctonema , and Oscillatoria . Greater nitrogen fixation occurred when moss ( Bryum sp.) was present in crust.