Hydrogen Ion Concentration

Rhizobium and Legume Root Nodulation
Leguminous Plants
The Discovery of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
Rhizobium Classification
Cultural Characteristics
Genetics
Flavonoids Induce Nodualation
Novel Approaches to Extend Root Nodulation
Ecology
Infection
Lectins
Structure of the Nodule
Function of the Nodule
Nitrogenase Hydrogenase Interrelationship
Stem Nodulating Legumes
Factors Affecting Nodulation
Temperature and Light
Hydrogen Ion Concentration
Mineral Nutrition

Hydrogen Ion Concentration

Hydrogen Ion Concentration
Leguminous plants grow less luxuriantly in acid media than in neutral or slightly alkaline conditions which could indirectly be due to lowered colonization of Rhizobium in soil and in rhizosphere leading to inadequate nodulation. The poor colonization of Rhizobium in rhizosphere due to acidity of the root medium could be overcome by heavy inoculation with the bacterium as has been demonstrated in lucerne grown in solution cultures.

Such a stimulation is purely mechanical and does not involve any multiplication of the organism in the rhizosphere or encouragement of infection of root hairs by rhizobia and subsequent nodulation. The number and size of nodules may be affected by the reaction of the substrate on which legumes grow. Acid conditions of soil result in deficiencies of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Often, soil acidity may lead to reduced uptake of molybdenum which can be corrected by liming. Soil amendments with ammonium nitrate or calcium carbonate counteract the limiting effects of low pH and thus increase the yield of legumes.

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