Whitney, A.S. (1966) Nitrogen Fixation by Three Tropical Forage Legumes and the Utilization of Legume-Fixed Nitrogen by their Associated Grasses. PhD thesis, University of Hawaii.
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Abstract
Three tropical legumes, Dismodium intortum, Desmodium canum and Centrosema pubescens, were grown alone and in combination with napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) in fresh volcanic cinders under continuously moist climate on the Island of Hawaii. D. intortum gave high yields of both dry matter (ca. 17,000 pounds per acre) and nitrogen (ca. 300 pounds per acre) in a 12-month period, and transferred small but significant amounts of nitrogen to its associated grasses. D. canum yields were low under these conditions, and the nitrogen yields of grasses associated with this legume were depressed. C. pubescens in pure stand was intermediate in yield of dry matter, but equalled D. intortum in nitrogen yield. However, when combined with grasses, the dry matter and N yields of this legume were reduced by one-half. Transfer of nitrogen to the grasses by C. pubescens was noted only when a 6-month growing period was allowed. The total fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere during the test period averaged 340 pounds per acre for D. intortum, 82 pounds per acre for D. canum, and 156 pounds per acre for C. pubescens. Of the total nitrogen fixed by D. intortum, 5% or less was transferred to the associated grasses; but with C. pubescens, transfer amounted to 11% of the nitrogen fixed in one instance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | University of Hawaii, United States. |
| Subjects: | Plant Protection Soil Science and Microbiology |
| Divisions: | General |
| Depositing User: | Mr Balakrishna Garadasu |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Jul 2013 14:10 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jul 2013 14:10 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/11068 |
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