Effects of calcium and aluminium on nodulation, nitrogen fixation and growth of groundnut in solution culture

• Published in: Plant and soil 1992-08, Vol.144 (2), p.273-279
• Main Authors: Shamsuddin, Z.H. (Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor (Malaysia). Dept. of Soil Science), Kasran, R, Edwards, D.G, Blamey, F.P.C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid soils; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; ALUMINIO; ALUMINIUM; Aluminum; ARACHIS HYPOGAEA; Biological and medical sciences; BRADYRHIZOBIUM; CALCIO; CALCIUM; Economic plant physiology; FIJACION DEL NITROGENO; FITOTOXICIDAD; FIXATION DE L'AZOTE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grassland soils; Groundnuts; MAGNESIO; MAGNESIUM; NITROGEN FIXATION; Nodulation; Nodules; PHYTOTOXICITE; PHYTOTOXICITY; Plant growth; Plants; Soil toxicity; Symbiosis (nodules, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, mycorrhiza...)
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00012885

While considerable information has been presented recently on the alleviating effects of calcium (Ca) on aluminium (Al) toxicity, the interaction between Ca and Al on nodulation and N₂-fixation of legumes is little understood. A 28 d solution culture experiment using groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cv. Matjam was conducted to evaluate the effects of four Ca concentrations and four Al levels on nodule development, N₂-fixation and plant growth. The Ca concentrations were maintained at 500, 1000, 2500 or 5000 µM, and the sum of activities of monomeric Al species (∑aAlmono) were 0, 15, 30 and 60 µM. With ∑aAlmono ≥30 µM in solution, the time to appearance of the first nodule increased, and, with 60 µM ∑aAlmono in solution, plants remained chlorotic throughout the experiment. Activities ≥30 µM reduced nodule number and nodule dry mass per plant, particularly with high (5000 µM) Ca in solution. Also, plant top growth was decreased at ∑aAlmono ≥30 µM; the effect only being alleviated by 1000 µM Ca at 30 µM ∑aAlmono. The Ca concentration in the youngest expanded leaf (YEL) increased with increased Ca concentration in solution, but was little affected by Al treatment. Nitrogen concentrations mirrored treatment effects on nodule number and nodule dry mass; Al in solution decreased the N concentration particularly with 5000 µM Ca in solution. Furthermore, increased Ca and Al in solution decreased the Mg concentration in the YEL. This suggested that the absence of any alleviating effect of Ca and Al toxicity (indeed the opposite effect was often observed) resulted from interference in Mg nutrition.