Strains of Rhizobium Effective on the Trefoils, Lotus corniculatus and Lotus uliginosus

Abstract

A RICULTURAL Experiment Station workers in the United States are interested in the pasture and forage potentialities of Lotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil) and Lotus uliginosus Schkuhr (big trefoil). Since the growth habits of these two species are quite different they naturally respond to different soil and climatic conditions. The broad-leafed type, L. corniculatus var. arvensis Ser., finds wider use in the midwestern and northeastern states, whereas the narrow-leafed type, L. corniculatus var. tenuijolius L., is generally grown in Oregon

Biochemical and Symbiotic Properties of the Rhizobia 1

“…In the same light in which pathogenicity is elusive unless the proper animal is used, so is the nitrogen-fixing potentiality of a rhizobial strain an enigma without the aid of the appropriate host plant. Current researches provide a wealth of evidence that particular strains may be highly effective on one species and ineffective on closely related ones (57,58,107,110,111,232,265,277,282,317,406).…”

Some symbiotic characteristics of rhizobia responsible for spontaneous, effective field nodulation of Lotus hispidus

“…A particular feature of their reaction was the ability to fix nitrogen in association with both L. corniculatus and L. peduncdatus. Strains having this ability are uncommon (Erdman and Means 1949). In U.S.A., where both L. corniczllatus and L. pedzinculattls are grown, it is still the practice of manufacturers to supply a separate inoculant for each species (Anon.…”

EFFECT OF LOTUS RHIZOBIA STRAINS ON THE GROWTH AND NODULATION OF LOTUS CORNICULATUS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

“…Nodulation of this forage legume has been unsatisfactory in many areas. The root nodule bacteria symbiotic with birdsfoot trefoil belong to a specific group of Rhizobium (1., 4,5). The effect of several environmental factors on the $owth and nodulation of birdsfoot trefoil was studied by McKee (L0, ll, t2).…”