Legumes native to longleaf pine savannas exhibit capacity for high N2 -fixation rates and negligible impacts due to timing of fire.

Abstract

• N2 fixation rates of three legume species and the impact of fire regime are reported. • Summer, winter, and no burn treatments were applied. N 2 fixation rates ( 15 N isotope dilution) and C trade-offs with flowering and fine root turnover were examined in response to season of burn. • Tephrosia and Centrosema had uniformly high percentage N dfa across all treatments (74-92% N dfa ), whereas Rhynchosia showed limited N 2 fixation activity (18% and 0%). No evidence for decreased N 2 fixation due to loss of leaf area following growing season burns was found. Moreover, no consistent evidence for decreased N 2 fixation with greater flowering or fine root turnover was observed. • Despite species differences in response to fire regime, the following patterns emerged: when increased N 2 fixation is associated with decreased growth rates, legumes show limited N 2 fixation rates (as seen in Rhynchosia ). Alternatively, if greater N 2 fixation is related to increased growth rates, then legumes experience C limitations to N 2 fixation only in small individuals or during periods of rapid growth (as in Centrosema ). Reproduction may influence N 2 -fixation, but, as in the case of Tephrosia , the relationship was positive, opposite to patterns indicative of C trade-offs.