Nitrogen accumulation and acetylene reduction activity of native lupines on disturbed mountain sites in Colorado

• Published in: Journal of range management 1990-01, Vol.43 (1), p.49-51
• Main Authors: Kenny, S.T. (Washington State University, Prosser), Cuany, R.L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACETILENO; ACETYLENE; Alkynes; ANTHROPOGENIC SOIL TYPES; Bottles; COLONIZING ABILITY; COLORADO; DISTURBED SOILS; ECOLOGIA; ECOLOGIE; ECOLOGY; FIJACION DEL NITROGENO; FIXATION DE L'AZOTE; LUPINUS; lupinus alpestris; LUPINUS ARGENTEUS; lupinus caudatus; METABOLISME DE L'AZOTE; METABOLISMO DEL NITROGENO; Nitrogen; NITROGEN FIXATION; NITROGEN METABOLISM; Nodules; Plant Physiology; Plants; RECLAMATION; RECUPERATION DES SOLS; REDUCCION; REDUCTION; REHABILITACION; REVEGETATION; Soil air; Soil nitrogen; Soil samples; SOL ANTHROPOGENE; TIPOS ANTROPOGENICOS DE SUELOS; VEGETACION; VEGETATION
• ISSN: 0022-409X; 2162-2728
• DOI: 10.2307/3899120

Lupines are pioneering plants in many disturbed mountain habitats in Colorado. The purpose of this work was to determine if Lupinus argenteus, L. caudatus, and L. alpestris could be useful revegetation plants in a reclamation program. Paired soil samples from 33 disturbed sites supporting native lupines were used to determine if lupines increased the nitrogen content of the soil. Soil samples collected 10 cm from lupine tap roots averaged 13.8 mg kg-1more exchangeable ammonium and 2.7 mg kg-1more nitrate than soil samples collected 3 m from lupine plants. Field measured acetylene reduction rates of detached lupine nodules averaged 10.0 μmol ethylene g-1nodule dry weight h-1for L. argenteus and 17.3 μmol ethylene g-1nodule dry weight h-1for L. alpestris. Soil adjacent to lupines had higher levels of inorganic nitrogen than soils 3 m from lupine plants and lupines had the ability for biological nitrogen fixation as shown by the acetylene reduction assay, suggesting that native lupines are potentially useful revegetation plants in a reclamation program.