Effects of temperature regime and fertilization on nitrogenase activity of black alder seedlings during autumn in Illinois, U.S.A.

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of two regimes of temperature and fertilization on nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) of naturalized black alder (Alnusglutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) seedlings during autumn in central Illinois, United States. An equal number of Frankia-nodulated plants were fertilized with either a complete or a nitrogen-free fertilizer solution. After 3 months of growth in a glasshouse, half of the plants in each fertilization group were transferred outside in mid-September. Rates of C2H2 reduction decreased throughout autumn for plants in all treatments, although exposure to freezing temperatures accelerated the decline of nitrogenase activity. Alders that did not receive nitrogen fertilization were still reducing C2H2 under natural light conditions in the heated glasshouse on December 10 at a rate of 7.5 nmol•mg−1•h−1. Compared with alders not receiving mineral nitrogen, complete fertilization resulted in a 45% reduction of initial autumnal rates of C2H2 reduction and early inactivity of nitrogenase. Leaf senescence and leaf abscission of naturalized black alder were not induced by decreasing photoperiod alone in Illinois. We conclude that N2 fixation of black alder in Illinois can proceed late into the autumn as long as green leaves remain attached to the plant and nodules are not subjected to low and freezing temperatures.