科尔沁沙地小叶锦鸡儿地上-地下生物量分配格局

以科尔沁沙地18年生(成龄)和4年生(幼龄)人工小叶锦鸡儿以及天然小叶锦鸡儿灌丛为研究对象,采用分层挖取根系法调查不同植被区小叶锦鸡儿的根系分布特点,研究其在生物量分配、根冠比、根系分布等方面对干旱环境的响应.结果表明:1)小叶锦鸡儿倾向于把更多的生物量分配于地下,其中天然植被地下生物量比重最大,4年生植被地下生物量比重最小.2)小叶锦鸡儿灌丛根系生物量随着土层深度的增加而逐渐减少,其根系主要分布在0 ～ 100 cm土层中.3)4年生小叶锦鸡儿吸收根呈现浅层分布特性,在地下O～50 cm吸收根生物量显著高于18年生和天然植被(P＜0.05);18年生和天然植被吸收根更多分布于50 ～ 100 cm土层中.天然小叶锦鸡儿输导根生物量在50 ～ 100 cm土层中显著高于4年生和18年生植被(P＜0.05).4)小叶锦鸡儿灌丛地上-地下生物量符合异速生长模型的幂函数.     

基于稳定性氧同位素分析不同树龄小叶锦鸡儿用水策略

本研究以科尔沁沙地典型固沙植物小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)为对象,采用氧稳定同位素技术,比较了小叶锦鸡儿群落内3、5和9年生小叶锦鸡儿生长季内土壤水、降雨与植株木质部水的δ18O值关系,并利用多元线性混合模型定量研究了不同树龄小叶锦鸡儿用水来源;结合不同树龄小叶锦鸡儿土壤水分季节特征和根系分布分析用水来源变化原因;通过评价不同树龄小叶锦鸡儿与地区水分条件适应性,分析3种树龄小叶锦鸡儿的水分竞争关系,判断群落稳定性。结果表明:根系的分布决定了不同树龄小叶锦鸡儿对水分利用的范围和选择何种用水策略的可能性,水分的分布也一定程度上影响了小叶锦鸡儿的主要用水来源。生长季内30～80 cm土层是3年生小叶锦鸡儿主要水分利用层位;30～100 cm土层是5年生小叶锦鸡儿主要水分利用层位,其中80～100 cm土层贡献率所占较大; 0～30和100～160 cm土层是9年生小叶锦鸡儿主要水分利用层位。小叶锦鸡儿群落内,不同树龄植株之间不存在强烈的水分竞争,该地区小叶锦鸡儿群落较为稳定。     

中国北方温带地区5种锦鸡儿植物的分布模拟

全面收集中国北方温带干旱–半干旱地区5种主要锦鸡儿植物的地理分布资料, 利用ArcGIS 9.0软件绘制现状分布图, 发现小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)、中间锦鸡儿(C. intermedia)和柠条锦鸡儿(C. korshinskii)在空间上呈现出从东到西的地理替代分布格局, 继续向西南方向则分布有藏锦鸡儿(C. tibetica), 向西北方向分布有狭叶锦鸡儿(C. stenophylla), 但它们的分布范围又有一定的重叠。整理5种锦鸡儿分布区内的气象台站长期记录, 选择计算15个具有重要生物学意义的水热指标值; 进而用方差分析、多重比较和因子分析相结合的方法, 研究控制这5种锦鸡儿地理分布的主导驱动因子。结果表明: 控制小叶锦鸡儿和中间锦鸡儿间地理分布差异的主导因子是水分因子, 特别是湿度; 水分因子同样是控制中间锦鸡儿和柠条锦鸡儿间地理分布差异的主导因子, 特别是生长季及年降水量; 控制柠条锦鸡儿和藏锦鸡儿间地理分布差异的主导因子是夏季高温, 控制柠条锦鸡儿和狭叶锦鸡儿地理分布差异的是冬季低温。运用耦合BIOCLIM模型的软件包“DIVA-GIS”模拟预测这5种锦鸡儿的现状潜在分布区及未来气候变化的影响, 结果表明: 现状潜在分布区与实际分布区均有很好的一致性; 在CO₂浓度加倍的未来气候情景下, 5种锦鸡儿植物都会向北大幅度迁移, 在我国的分布范围均缩小, 分布格局发生显著变化。用ROC曲线和Kappa统计值法验证模型表明, BIOCLIM的模拟精度较高。     

植物光合产物分配及其影响因子研究进展

植物光合产物分配受环境因子和生物因子的共同影响。为增进对植物对全球变化响应的理解, 从植物个体水平与群落/生态系统水平综述了植物光合产物分配的影响因子与影响机理的最新研究进展。植物个体在光照增强及受水分和养分胁迫时, 会将光合产物更多地分配到根系; CO₂浓度升高对植物光合产物分配的影响受土壤氮素的制约, 植物受氮素胁迫时, CO₂浓度升高会促进光合产物更多地分配到根系; 反之, 对植物光合产物分配没有影响。植物群落/生态系统的光合产物分配对环境因子的响应不敏感; 光合产物向根系的分配比例随其生长阶段逐渐降低。功能平衡假说、源汇关系假说和相关生长关系假说分别从环境因子、个体发育和环境因子与个体发育协同作用方面阐述了植物光合产物分配的影响机理。在此基础上,指出了未来拟重点加强的研究方向: 1)生态系统尺度的光合产物向呼吸部分的分配研究; 2)地下净初级生产力(belowground net primary productivity, BNPP)研究; 3)温室和野外条件下及幼苗和成熟林光合产物分配对环境因子响应的比较研究; 4)生态系统尺度的多因子控制试验; 5)整合环境因子和个体发育对植物光合产物分配格局的影响研究。     

CO2浓度升高与氮添加对三江平原湿地小叶章生长的影响

利用开顶箱薰气室,设置正常大气CO₂浓度(350 μmol·mol^-1)、高CO₂浓度(700 μmol·mol^-1)2个CO₂水平和不施氮(0 g N·m^-2)、中氮(5 g N·m^-2)和高氮(15 g N·m^-2)3个氮素水平,研究CO₂浓度升高和氮肥施用对三江平原草甸小叶章生长的影响.结果表明：随着CO₂浓度升高,小叶章物候期提前,其中抽穗期提前1～2 d,成熟期提前3 d;不施氮、中氮和高氮水平下, CO₂浓度升高使小叶章的分蘖分别增加8.2%(P<0.05)、8.4%(P<0.05)和5.5%(P>0.05);在小叶章生长初期,CO₂浓度升高对其生物量的增加有促进作用,拔节期和抽穗期小叶章地上生物量分别增加12.4%和20.9%(P<0.05);生长后期则对小叶章地下生物量的促进作用增大,腊熟期和成熟期的地下生物量分别增加20.5%和20.9% (P<0.05).小叶章生物量对高浓度CO₂的响应与供氮水平有关,供氮充足条件下, 高浓度CO₂对生物量的促进效应更大.     

CO2浓度升高与氮添加对三江平原湿地小叶章生长的影响

利用开顶箱薰气室,设置正常大气CO₂浓度(350 μmol·mol^-1)、高CO₂浓度(700 μmol·mol^-1)2个CO₂水平和不施氮(0 g N·m^-2)、中氮(5 g N·m^-2)和高氮(15 g N·m^-2)3个氮素水平,研究CO₂浓度升高和氮肥施用对三江平原草甸小叶章生长的影响.结果表明：随着CO₂浓度升高,小叶章物候期提前,其中抽穗期提前1～2 d,成熟期提前3 d;不施氮、中氮和高氮水平下, CO₂浓度升高使小叶章的分蘖分别增加8.2%(P<0.05)、8.4%(P<0.05)和5.5%(P>0.05);在小叶章生长初期,CO₂浓度升高对其生物量的增加有促进作用,拔节期和抽穗期小叶章地上生物量分别增加12.4%和20.9%(P<0.05);生长后期则对小叶章地下生物量的促进作用增大,腊熟期和成熟期的地下生物量分别增加20.5%和20.9% (P<0.05).小叶章生物量对高浓度CO₂的响应与供氮水平有关,供氮充足条件下, 高浓度CO₂对生物量的促进效应更大.     

小叶锦鸡儿根际微生物群落功能多样性对环境变化的响应

利用Biolog技术对内蒙古草原灌丛优势种小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)根际土壤微生物群落功能多样性特征及其对大气CO2浓度、土壤氮水平和土壤水分3个环境因子变化的响应进行了研究。结果表明:(1)小叶锦鸡儿根际土壤微生物利用碳源总量在整个培养过程中呈逐渐增加的趋势。其利用比例较高的碳源类型为聚合物、糖类和氨基酸。(2)主成分分析表明,8个处理组的微生物群落功能多样性差异显著,其中与主成分1显著相关的碳源有14种,分别属于聚合物、糖类、氨基酸和羧酸。(3)加倍CO2浓度极显著提高平均颜色变化率(AWCD)以及丰富度指数和Shannon均匀度。(4)氮素添加使AWCD、丰富度指数和Shannon均匀度均极显著降低,其抑制效应在加倍CO2浓度时有所缓解。(5)加水处理对上述指标均有一定的促进作用,但是差异未达显著水平。(6)加倍CO2浓度和氮素添加联合处理下,小叶锦鸡儿根际微生物活性高于对照处理,说明加倍CO2浓度对微生物活性的促进效应强于添加氮素的抑制效应。(7)CO2和氮素对上述指标有交互作用。综上所述,小叶锦鸡儿根际土壤微生物群落的功能在很大程度上受到外界环境因子的影响,对环境变化较敏感的碳源类型为聚合物、糖类、氨基酸和羧酸,与利用比例较高的碳源类型基本一致。     

小叶锦鸡儿和狭叶锦鸡儿的生态和水分调节特性比较研究

对锦鸡儿属羽状叶类群的代表植物——小叶锦鸡儿和假掌状叶类群的代表植物——狭叶锦鸡儿的地理分布、生长发育、形态结构、渗透调节和水分代谢进行了比较研究。小叶锦鸡儿在内蒙古高原分布于东起呼伦贝尔 (1 2 4 .0 0°E)西至达茂旗(1 1 0 .4 3°E)的半湿润至半干旱地区 ,生长发育最适地区是锡林浩特 ;狭叶锦鸡儿在内蒙古高原分布于东起锡林浩特 (1 1 6 .0 7°E)西至阿拉善 (98°E)的半干旱至极干旱地区 ,生长发育最适地区是阿拉善。这种分布格局和生长发育适应性说明 ,狭叶锦鸡儿比小叶锦鸡儿更适宜干旱环境。小叶锦鸡儿叶片平展、被绿色柔毛 ,有时上面近无毛 ,狭叶锦鸡儿叶片呈瓦状、被粉白色柔毛 ;狭叶锦鸡儿叶片厚度 /面积比值和长 /宽比值大于小叶锦鸡儿 ,叶片生物量小于小叶锦鸡儿。这些特性使狭叶锦鸡儿比小叶锦鸡儿保水能力强。由于狭叶锦鸡儿的渗透调节物质浓度大于小叶锦鸡儿 ,导致细胞渗透势低于小叶锦鸡儿 ;狭叶锦鸡儿叶含水量低于小叶锦鸡儿 ,束缚水 /自由水比值大于小叶锦鸡儿 ;狭叶锦鸡儿叶水势低于小叶锦鸡儿。这些特性表明狭叶锦鸡儿比小叶锦鸡儿渗透调节能力强。狭叶锦鸡儿的蒸腾速率和日蒸腾积累值均小于小叶锦鸡儿 ,水分利用效率高于小叶锦鸡儿。由于叶形态变异、良好的渗透调节功     

毛白杨根系液流与水力再分配特征

为确定毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)根系是否存在水力再分配现象,并探究其发生特征与影响因子,该研究以四年生毛白杨为研究对象,利用热比率法对3株样树的共计7条侧根(R1–R7)进行长期液流监测,并对土壤水分以及气象因子进行同步测定。结果显示:毛白杨存在两种水力再分配模式,分别为干旱驱动的水力提升和降雨驱动的水力下降,水力再分配的发生模式与特征受侧根分布深度与直径大小的影响。在整个生长季尺度上,毛白杨根系再分配的水量较低;但在极端干旱条件下,部分侧根再分配的水量可达其日总液流量的64.6%,表明水力再分配会为干旱侧根提供大量水分。根系吸水与气象-土壤的耦合因子(太阳辐射(R_s)×土壤含水率(SWC)、水汽压亏缺(VPD)×SWC、参考蒸散发(ET_o)×SWC)间存在显著相关关系,但水力再分配与所选因子基本不相关。此外,毛白杨浅层根中存在特殊的日间逆向液流现象,其液流量最高可占日液流总量的79.2%(R1)到90.7%(R2),该现象可能对浅层根系抗旱起到重要作用。     

干旱-复水-再干旱处理对玉米光合能力和生长的影响

为了探求玉米(Zea mays)光合作用和生长对重复干旱的响应机制, 采用盆栽试验, 分别测定了不同程度土壤干旱处理3周时、随后复水1周时以及再次不同程度干旱处理3周时玉米幼苗光合参数和生长的变化。第一次土壤干旱处理后, 重度干旱处理显著降低玉米株高、单株总叶面积、地上部分及根系生物量以及叶片的蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、净光合速率(P_n)和最大净光合速率(A_max), 但显著提高光补偿点和暗呼吸速率; 中度干旱处理同样显著降低玉米株高、叶面积和地上部分生物量, 但对根系生物量无影响, 因而根冠比增大, 对上述光合参数的负效应也不具有显著性。复水可使前期经受中度和重度干旱处理的玉米植株的光合能力和生长速率恢复到正常水分条件下生长的植株的水平, 但株高和叶面积没有恢复到对照水平。当玉米再次经受水分亏缺处理时, 与只遭受第二次中度或重度干旱处理的植株相比, 经历过前期中度干旱处理的植株的株高、生物量和光合参数没有显著变化, 但叶面积显著下降; 经历过前期重度干旱处理植株的T_r、G_s、C_i、P_n、A_max和表观量子效率显著升高, 而株高、叶面积和生物量显著降低。综上所述, 第一次重度干旱处理显著降低玉米叶片的光合能力和生长, 复水可使光合能力和生长速率恢复到正常水分条件下生长植株的水平, 但不能消除前期干旱对生长产生的不利影响。前期中度干旱可以刺激玉米根系的生长和显著提高根冠比, 有利于提高对二次干旱的抵抗能力, 并使总的生物量保持在对照水平, 而前期重度干旱处理虽然在光合作用上能提高植株对二次干旱的抵御能力, 但不能弥补前期干旱处理对生长的不利影响。因此, 在生产实践中, 如果进行抗旱锻炼, 应限制在中度干旱水平, 避免重度干旱。     

Root and nodule growth in Pisum sativum L. in relation to photosynthesis: analysis using 13C-labelling

The effect of the nitrogen source (gaseous nitrogen, N2, or nitrate ions, NO3-) on the use of carbon (C) for root and nodule growth of pea (Pisum sativum L.) was investigated using 13C-labelling of assimilated CO2 at various stages of growth. Nitrate supply and growing conditions (sowing dates, air CO2 concentration) were varied to alter photosynthetic rates. Nodules are the sink with the highest demand for C in both the vegetative and flowering stages, growing at the expense of shoot and root in the vegetative stage, but only at the expense of roots at flowering. Until flowering, the addition of C into root and nodule biomass was linearly related to pre-existing biomass, thus determining net sink strengths which decreased with root and nodule age. Nodule growth patterns did not depend on the N source, whereas root growth was increased by nitrate when nodule biomass was low. At seed filling, the increase in C of biomass of the root system was no longer related to pre-existing biomass and C was preferentially diverted to roots of plants assimilating nitrate, or to nodules for plants fixing N2.     

Stimulation of Nodulation in the Clover-Rhizobium trifolii 0403 System by Penicillin and Mecillinam

The number of nodules produced per clover seedling inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii 0403 can be increased almost 2-fold by the addition of penicillin or mecillinam. Two-day-old dutch white clover seedlings grown in 250 milliliter boston round jars containing agar-solidified plant growth medium were inoculated with exponentially growing Rhizobium trifolii 0403 cells. Penicillin or mecillinam (100 micrograms per milliliter) were added immediately or after 24 hours. Following 42 days growth, 10 replicate sets of 5 plants for each treatment were assayed for nodule number, plant dry weight, and Kjeldahl nitrogen. Both antibiotics increased nodule number, plant dry weight, and Kjeldahl nitrogen. Increases in nodule number and dry weight were statistically significant. The range of values in Kjeldahl nitrogen was so extensive as to make the data insignificant at the P < 0.05 level, however nodule number, plant dry weight, and Kjeldahl nitrogen displayed a significant correlation with each other. There were no significant differences in treatment with either antibiotic or with time of treatment. Nodule number increased by about 85%, and plant dry weight and nitrogen increased by about 30%.     

Symbiotic properties of Lotus pedunculitis root nodules induced by Rhizobium loti and Bradyrhizobium sp. (Lotus)

Vance, C. P., Reibach, P. H. and Pankhurst, C. E. 1987. Symbiotic properties of Lotus pedunculatus root nodules induced by Rhizobium loti and Bradyrhizobium sp. ( Lotus ).
Symbiotic properties of root nodules were evaluated in glasshouse-grown Lotus pedunculatus Cav. cv. Maku inoculated with either a fast-growing Rhizobium loti strain NZP2037 or a slow-growing Bradyrhizobium sp. ( Lotus ) strain CC814s. Although the nodule mass of plants inoculated with NZP2037 was twice that of plants inoculated with CC814s, the yield of NZP2037 shoots and roots was 50% that of CC814s shoots and roots. Nodules induced by Bradyrhizobium fixed substantially more N than nodules induced by R. loti. Glucose requirements [mol glucose (mol N₂ fixed)^-1] of nodules induced by CC814s and NZP2037 were 7.1 and 16.6, respectively. Nodule enzymes of carbon and nitrogen assimilation reflected the disparity of the two sym-bioses. Xylem sap of the symbiosis with the higher yield contained a higher concentration of asparagine [9.86 μmol (ml xylem sap)'] than did the lower yielding symbiosis [5.80 umol (ml xylem sap)"']. Nodule CO₂ fixation was directly linked to nodule N assimilation in both symbioses. The results indicate that the difference between the two symbioses extend to nodule N and C assimilation and whole plant N transport. The data support a role for host plant modulation of bacterial efficiency and assimilation of fixed N.     

INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ROOT NODULES OF CASUARINA (CASUARINACEAE)

Roots of seedlings of the “beefwood” tree, Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq. grown in nitrogen-free nutrient solution were inoculated with a suspension prepared from crashed root nodules taken from mature plants. Marked deformation of root hairs was evident but no infection threads were observed in root hairs. The mode of infection remains undetermined. Root nodules were initiated within three weeks and thereafter numerous upward-growing nodule roots developed from each nodule. Nodules in this symbiotic nitrogen-fixing plant resulted from an infection caused by an unidentified actinomycete-like soil microorganism. Anatomical analysis of nodule formation showed that nodules are the result of repeated endogenous lateral root initiations, one placed upon another in a complexly branched and truncated root system. The endophyte-infected cortical tissues derived from successive root primordia form the swollen nodular mass. Nodule roots develop from nodule lobes after escaping from the initial inhibitory effects of the endophyte. Included is a discussion of the anatomical similarities between nodules of Casuarina which produce nodule roots and those of Alnus which form coralloid nodules usually lacking nodule roots.     

Water-retentive polymers increase nodulation of actinorhizal plants inoculated with Frankia

Actinorhizal plants form a nodular, nitrogen-fixing root symbiosis with the actinomycete Frankia and are economically and ecologically important due to their ability to improve the nitrogen fertility of disturbed and infertile substrates. In this study, water-retentive polymer inoculum carriers were applied as a root dip. This treatment significantly increased nodulation and in some cases early growth of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. and Casuarina equisetifolia var. equisetifolia Forst. & Forst. in a controlled environment and also of A. glutinosa under field conditions. Nodule number and nodule dry weight per plant were at least two to three times greater after 56 to 140 days for plants inoculated with Frankia carried in a water-retentive polymer base compared with plants inoculated with Frankia in water. Nodules on the roots of the plants that were inoculated with Frankia in a polymer slurry were distributed throughout the entire root system, rather than concentrated near the root collar. When amended with water-retentive polymers, actinorhizal plants inoculated with 5- to 10-fold lower titers of Frankia exhibited early growth and nodule numbers equal to or greater than those plants inoculated with standard titers without polymers. The water-retentive, superabsorbent polymers clearly increased the nodulation of two actinorhizal plant species. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nodule formation is stimulated by the ethylene inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine

Previous researchers found that formation and function of nitrogen-fixing nodules on legume roots were severely inhibited by addition of exogenous ethylene. Nodule formation by Rhizobium meliloti on Medicago sativa was stimulated twofold when the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) was added with the inoculum. Stimulation of nodule formation by AVG showed a similar concentration dependence as inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis, suggesting that the primary action of AVG is the inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis. When AVG was added 2 to 3 days after inoculation, the number of nodules formed was still increased. On a per plant basis, however, the average nitrogen fixation was unchanged by AVG treatment and was independent of nodule number.     

The autoregulation gene SUNN mediates changes in root organ formation in response to nitrogen through alteration of shoot-to-root auxin transport

We tested whether a gene regulating nodule number in Medicago truncatula, Super Numeric Nodules (SUNN ), is involved in root architecture responses to carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and whether this is mediated by changes in shoot-to-root auxin transport. Nodules and lateral roots are root organs that are under the control of nutrient supply, but how their architecture is regulated in response to nutrients is unclear. We treated wild-type and sunn-1 seedlings with four combinations of low or increased N (as nitrate) and C (as CO(2)) and determined responses in C/N partitioning, plant growth, root and nodule density, and changes in auxin transport. In both genotypes, nodule density was negatively correlated with tissue N concentration, while only the wild type showed significant correlations between N concentration and lateral root density. Shoot-to-root auxin transport was negatively correlated with shoot N concentration in the wild type but not in the sunn-1 mutant. In addition, the ability of rhizobia to alter auxin transport depended on N and C treatment as well as the SUNN gene. Nodule and lateral root densities were negatively correlated with auxin transport in the wild type but not in the sunn-1 mutant. Our results suggest that SUNN is required for the modulation of shoot-to-root auxin transport in response to altered N tissue concentrations in the absence of rhizobia and that this controls lateral root density in response to N. The control of nodule density in response to N is more likely to occur locally in the root.     

Soybean (Glycine max) Nodule Physical Traits Associated with Permeability Responses to Oxygen

Nodule permeability (P) controls the amount of O2 entering the nodule and is an important determinant of N2 fixation. Modulation of water volume in the intercellular spaces of the nodule cortex was hypothesized to change the effective thickness of a diffusion barrier and account for changes in P. This hypothesis was examined by evaluating physical traits of nodules that may affect P. The first test of the hypothesis was to determine whether alterations in P may result in changing both the density and the air space content of nodules as the water content of intercellular spaces was varied. Density of nodules exposed to 21 kPa O2 increased as the time following detachment from the plant increased from 5 to 60 min. Nodules from soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) plants shaded for 48 h had a lower fractional air space content than nodules from control plants. Nodule detachment and prolonged shading decreased P, and the increase in density and decrease in fractional air space content associated with decreased P in these treatments supports the proposed hypothesis. The second test of the hypothesis was to determine whether nodules released water easily in response to water potential gradients. The intrinsic capacitance of nodules determined by pressure-volume analysis was 0.29 MPa-1 and indicated that the tissue can release relatively large amounts of water from the symplast with only small changes in total nodule water potential. Estimates of the bulk modulus of elasticity ranged from 0.91 to 2.60 MPa and indicated a high degree of elasticity. It was concluded that the physical properties of nodules were consistent with P modulation by the release and uptake of intercellular water in the nodule cortex.     

The effectivity of Frankia for nodulation and nitrogen fixation in Alnus rubra and A. glutinosa

The effectivity of nodulation of Alnus rubra Bong, by Frankia isolates from A. rubra and Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. in Northern Britain was compared with strains from The Netherlands and North America, using plants grown in combined nitrogen-free conditions. All strains gave rise to spore (-) nodules, even when isolated from nodules from sites known to contain spore (+) nodules. Nodules of all plants evolved little hydrogen, probably due to the presence of an efficient uptake hydrogenase in the microsymbkmts. Nodule weight as a percentage of whole plant weight was higher for nodules of low specific activity (N fixed per unit weight nodules), attaining a maximum of 5.1% of plant dry weight in the least effective of the heterologous associations of A. glutinosa Frankia with A. rubra . The range of variation in nodule specific activity was much greater in heterologous than homologous associations, but nodules of high specific activity were found in both associations. However, plants that fixed most N during the growth period were not those with nodules of highest specific activity. The most effective associations were homologous symbioses, which combined good nodule growth per plant with satisfactory specific activity, fixing N at rates which would support superior plant growth under the prevailing growth conditions. Preliminary field experiments suggest that the most effective of the A. rubra isolates is suitable for use as an inoculant in nurseries. Strains isolated from A. glutinosa were more effective and showed a different order of effectivity in homologous symbioses compared with their association with A. rubra . An A. glutinosa strain was isolated, which stimulated satisfactory nodule growth and gave good nodule specific activity in both A. rubra and A. gtutinosa .