Diurnal variation in nitrogenase activity of common cover crops in rubber plantations of Sri Lanka
Date
1989
Authors
Jayasinghe, C.K.
Parker, C.A.
Kulasooriya, S.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Rubber Research Institute. Agalawatta
Abstract
Diurnal fluctuations in nitrogenase activity (acetylene reducing activity) have been observed in several nitrogen fixing systems. All experimental plants viz. P. phasides D. ovalifolium and M. invisa demonstrated diuanal rhythm withlight intensity. The lowest acetylene reduction activiteswere detected around midnight and they were activelyu fixing nitrogen by 8.00 am. M. invisa responded to high soil temperature in addition to light intensity. A marked drop in acetylene reduction activity was observed by about 4.00pm when the soil temperature was around 38C
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Pueraria, Desmodium, Mimosa, Legumes, Nitrogen fixation, Acetylene reduction, Soil temperature, Light intensity, Cover crops
Citation
Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka69pp.37-47