Zaharah, A.R., Sharifuddin, H.A.H . , Razley,M.N., and Mohd Saidi, A.K .
Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 9, Issue 1, April 1986
Keywords: Nitrogenfixation ; N-15 dilution technique, percent N-15 atom excess.
Published on:
A field experiment was carried out to determine the amount of nitrogen fixed by Pueraria phaseloides which was grown as a cover in the interrow of two-year old oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) in Seafield Estate, Batu Tiga, and Selangor. The grasses that were found growing together with the legume cover were Paspalum congugatum and Ottochloa nodosa. Plots of 1 m by 1 m were randomly selected within the interrows of the palms to give various mixtures of grass and legume. These plots were cut at 5 cm above the ground, and applied with 2 g N/m2as ammonium sulphate enriched with 10%) atom excess N-15. The regrowth of the legume and grass were harvested after three months, and analysed for total N and N-15 enrichment of the tissues. The results show that there were significant differences in total N fixed by Peuraria mixed with different percentages of grass. At 0 - 40% legume composition, the total N fixed by Peuraria was 9.20 kg/ha/3 months and increased to 22.34 and 37.80 kg/ha/3 months at 41 — 60% and 61 - 80%o respectively. Total N fixed at 81 - 100%o legume composition was 22.73 kg/ha/3 months. The maximum amount of N fixed by Peuraria was when the mixture contained about 80%o legume standing.
ISSN 1511-3701
e-ISSN 2231-8542