Species specific nodulation responses and biomass accumulation to seedling age of Dalbergia sissoo at nursery stage

Abstract

Nodulation responses of leguminous trees are very important for intercropping to reduce reliance on artificial nitrogen input through nitrogen fixation in agroforestry system. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship of the status of nodulation (i.e., the number of nodules, their shape and size) in root and biomass production of plant growth parameters (i.e., number of leaves, shoot lengths, root biomass and shoot biomass) of Dalbergia sissoo seedlings. The assessment was conducted 60 days after seed germination. The study revealed significant differences of nodule number, leaf number, shoot height, biomass accumulation (both green and oven dry weight) with seedling age (p<0.05). The study also revealed significant correlation among the variables of nodulation responses and biomass production. The results obtained from principal component analysis (PCA) was justified by correlation matrix of nodulation responses and biomass this species. The PCA showed root biomass, leaf number, nodule number, shoot height, age of seedling, and shoot biomass were clustered with PC1 and root shoot ratio were clustered with PC2. Our study justified shoot height may be a better determinant of nodule formation of D. sissoo.