Nitrogen fixation by alfalfa as affected by salt stress and nitrogen levels

Abstract

The growth and Nitrogen fixation by one low salt tolerant alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and two germination salt tolerant selections inoculated with were investigated at two salt levels (0, -0.6 Mpa) and two N rates (1, 5ppm) using a system which automatically recirculates a nutrient solution. The high level of salinity (-0.6 Mpa osmotic potential of culture solution) resulted in substantial reduction in the N fixation percentage and total fixed N. The effect of salinity was more pronounced for later cuttings than for the earlier cutting. The N fixation percentages were substantially decreased by increasing N level and the reduction was enhanced by time. The N treatment levels did not exhibit a significant effect on total fixed N. Cultivars did not differ in either growth or N fixation. However, the interaction of N and salinity significantly decreased the percentage and amount of N fixation.