A survey of clover and Lotus rhizobia in Northern Ireland pasture soils |
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| Authors: | M WOOD J E COOPER D S CAMPBELL |
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| Institution: | Department of Agricultural and Food Bacteriology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 5PX;Agricultural and Food Bacteriology Research Division, Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX |
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| Abstract: | 192 sites covering the main soil types in Northern Ireland were analysed for numbers and effectiveness of clover and Lotus rhizobia, and chemical properties. Peat sites were generally highly acid (pH <5.5) and mineral sites near neutral (pH 5.5–7.8). Clover rhizobia were generally absent from peat sites and present in mineral sites as large populations (> 106 g?1 dry soil). 79% of isolates were effective on T. repens var. Grasslands Huia. Lotus rhizobia were generally absent from peat sites, less often present than clover rhizobia in mineral sites, and as smaller populations. They were mainly effective on L. pedunculatus var. G4705 and were all of the slow-growing type belonging to the genus Bradyrhizobium. Numbers of clover rhizobia were significantly correlated with soil pH, exchangeable Ca, base saturation and Al saturation, but effectiveness of clover rhizobia and numbers of Lotus rhizobia were not correlated with any soil chemical property. |
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