No abstract
Abstract. Actinorhizal plants (non-leguminous nitrogen fixing tree species) are unique in forming a symbiosis with the actinomycete Frankia. They are economically and ecologically important due to their ability to colonize disturbed and nutrient-impoverished substrates. The degree of infection and nodulation in Alnus glutinosa and Casuarina equisetifolia were evaluated using a root dip consisting of a superabsorbent polymer slurry amended with various concentrations of Frankia. This delivery system markedly improved the degree of nodulation and growth of Alnus and Casuarina in both laboratory and field studies. Significantly greater nodulation and rate of growth were observed in plants treated with Frankia-polymer slurries compared to plants inoculated with the same amount of Frankia by standard techniques. Nodule number and nodule dry weight per plant were also observed to be two to three times greater in the polymer-Frankia treated plants. Unlike the plants treated with Frankia alone, nodules in the polymer-Frankia treated plants were distributed throughout the root system. When amended with polymer, plants inoculated with 5 to JO-fold lower titers of Frankia exhibited nodulation and growth equal to or greater than that of plants inoculated at standard titer by the standard methods.The mechanism of infection and nodulation enhancement appears to be related to the ability of the polymer delivery system to maintain the microorganisms in close contact with the rhizoplane of the developing root system. This is believed to be the first Frankia inoculum delivery system that enhances the nodulation of actinorhizal plants and also enables adequate nodulation with a 5 to JO-fold smaller inoculum. The system thereby improves the cost effectiveness of using Frankia-inoculated actinorhizal plants for mine-spoil reclamation. This delivery system is part of U.S. Patent #4,975,105.
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