Nitrogen transfer from nodulating soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], to corn (Zea mays L.) and non‐nodulating soybean in intercrops: direct 15N labelling methods

Abstract

In order to test for N transfer to com (Zea mays L.) or to non‐nodulating soybean [Glycine max [L.] Merr.), nitrogen enriched in 15N was directly applied to a petiole or to secondary roots of adjacent nodulating soybean. In the field in 1988, 15N applied directly to a petiole of nodulating soybean was detected at significantly higher levels in adjacent corn plants than when un enriched N was similarly applied. Applications of enriched N and un enriched N to nodulating soybean roots did not result in significant differences in %15N an adjacent corn plants. However, in greenhouse experiments, enriched N applied in split‐root systems to secondary roots of nodulating soybean, was detected at higher levels in associated corn and non‐nodulating soybean than when un enriched N was similarly applied. Copyright © 1991, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved