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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Research Project #426559

Research Project: Nitrogen (N) Use Efficiency of N-Fix Inoculated Grasses under Field Conditions

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Project Number: 8070-13000-014-005-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 15, 2014
End Date: Apr 14, 2019

Objective:
The goal of this project is to determine N use efficiency of N-Fix inoculated plants under field conditions.

Approach:
Select grasses, inoculated and uninoculated, will be planted and grown in a complete block design and fertilized at 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended N rate. Field colonization will be assessed by DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and comparison with a positive control derived from previously sequenced G. diazotrophicus culture. Leaf chlorophyll will be measured using a commercially available chlorophyll meter. Plots will be harvested for biomass production and plant tissue analysis to determine the degree to which inoculation results in improved N use efficiency.