Nitrogen Fixation in Honey Mesquite Seedlings

Abstract

Roots of honey mesquite seedlings produced nodules readily in the growth chamber. The nodulated seedlings contained more nitrogen than nonnodulated seedlings. Large plants had the largest nodules. West Texas soils were found to possess inoculum that caused nodulation in mesquite. The nodulation frequency was closely associated with soil texture and water at the time of collection of the soil inoculum source. Moist sandy soils produced the best nodulation, while dry clay soils produced the poorest nodulation.