Inoculation responses of perennial forage legumes grown in fresh hill‐land ultisols as affected by soil acidity‐related factors

Abstract

Abstract A growth chamber experiment was initiated with two field moist, marginal and acidic (pH 5.1–5.2) soils of the Lily series (Typic Hapludults) in order to determine the need for improved legume‐rhizobia symbioses for forage species of current, or potential, use in the renovation of Appalachian hill‐land pastures. One soil was from an abandoned pasture having broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus L.) as the predominant vegetation, whereas the other was from a minimally‐managed pasture dominated by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Treatments included inoculation (or no inoculation) and the addition of aluminum, nil, or lime to provide a range of soil acidities. Both soils contained effective populations of naturalized rhizobia for white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), but low and/or ineffective naturalized populations of rhizobia for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), bigflower vetch (Vicia grandiflora Scop.), and flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.). Seed inoculation, by lime‐pelleting, was highly beneficial in establishing effective symbioses for all these latter species. The addition of low levels of aluminum or lime (1.5 and 2.0 cmol/kg soil, respectively) had little effect on any of the symbioses, with the exception of those for alfalfa. Thus, an improved legume rhizobia symbiosis would not seem to be a prerequisite for renovating pastures established on chemically similar ultisols with the forage legume species examined in this study, especially if the pasture has at least some history of management.