Response of Desmodium heterocarpon and Gaiactia elliottii to rhizobia and soil amendments

Abstract

Responses of the tropical legumes, Desmodium heterocarpon and Galactia elliottii, to inoculation with rhizobia and fertilization with N and P were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. Although inoculation with rhizobia was effective in some instances, improvements in plant growth were not obtained in the presence of naturally occurring microbial populations on the Florida Spodosol soil. Phosphorus at 50 kg P/ha increased herbage and root growth of G. elliottii, but not of D. heterocarpon. Seedling growth responses to N indicate that high rates of N fertilization (in combination with heavy grazing) might be effectively used to enhance seedling vigor of D. heterocarpon oversown on bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures.