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The influence of pruning height on symbiotic nitrogen fixation in a tree-based fodder production system.
- Source :
- African Journal of Range & Forage Science; Dec2019, Vol. 36 Issue 4, p197-201, 5p
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Woody species, especially dinitrogen-fixing species, can provide multiple products including food, fuelwood and fodder. In cut-and-carry silvopastoral systems, woody trees are often severely pruned for harvesting nitrogen (N)-rich fodder. However, very few studies have assessed the influence of this management practice on symbiotic N2 fixation. The study was conducted at Fountainhill Estate, Wartburg, South Africa, to assess the influence of pruning height on N<subscript>2</subscript> fixation of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) using the <superscript>15</superscript>N natural abundance method. Pigeon pea was grown in association with Panicum maximum. The treatments were unpruned, and pruning at 60 or 90 cm height. Results showed that pruning at 60 cm height significantly decreased total N (P ≤ 0.05), percentage of N derived from atmospheric N<subscript>2</subscript> (P ≤ 0.05) and amount of N<subscript>2</subscript> fixed (P ≤ 0.05) compared with unpruned plants and those pruned at 90 cm height. It was concluded that harvesting fodder at 90 cm height should be practised for pigeon pea to optimise symbiotic N<subscript>2</subscript> fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10220119
- Volume :
- 36
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- African Journal of Range & Forage Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 140465069
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2019.1695662