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Response of nitrogen fixation, nodule activities, and growth to potassium supply in water-stressed broad bean.

Research Authors
Abd-Alla M.H. & Abdel Wahab A.M.
Research Abstract

Three-week-old nodulated faba bean plants were subjected to two levels of water stress (0.5 and 0.25 field capacity; soil water content of 20 and 10%) for five weeks. Half of the stressed plants was treated with potassium chloride (KC1) at 10 (K1) and 150 mg (K2)/kg soil at the beginning of water deficit. Nodulation was examined and some nodule activities were assayed. Nodulation, nitrogenase activity, total nitrogen (N), and dry matter yield were significantly decreased by increasing stress but were significantly higher with the two levels of potassium (K) supply. Leghaemoglobin and protein contents of cytosol as well as nodule protease and invertase were severely depressed by drought stress. Soluble carbohydrate contents of nodules, however, was significantly increased. Protein and leghaemoglobin contents and enzyme activities were greater with K fertilization but less soluble carbohydrate was accumulated. The results indicate that K supply, particularly at the 150 mg/kg soil level, increased faba bean resistance to water stress.

Research Journal
Journal of Plant Nutrition, 18:1391-1402
Research Member
Research Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
18:
Research Website
DOI: 10.1080/01904169509364989 ,
Research Year
1995
Research Pages
1391-1402