Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation in Cliffrose (Cowania mexicana var. stansburiana (Torr.) Jeps.).

ABSTRACT

Nodulation and acetylene reduction were demonstrated for cliffrose (Cowania mexicana var. stansburiana [Torr.] Jeps.) in a greenhouse trial. Nitrogen fixation was also verified with (15)N. Seedlings were grown in a soil known to nodulate both bitterbrush species (Purshia tridentata (Pursh) D.C. and P. glandulosa [Curran]) to which a suspension of crushed bitterbrush nodules had been added. Bitterbrush seedlings grew faster and reduced more acetylene than cliffrose seedlings planted in the same pots, but the specific activity of the nodules and the nodule mass to root mass ratios were approximately the same.