Abstract
Optimal temperature conditions required for maximizing dry matter production and N_2-fixation (C_2H_2 reduction) were compared under five temperature conditions (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35℃) for seven tropical legumes ; Stylosanthes humilis cv. Townsville, Trifolium semipilosum cv. Safari, Desmodium intortum cv. Greenleaf, Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro, Lotononis bainesii cv. Miles, Glycine wightii cv. Cooper, and Leucaena leucocephala. Results obtained were as follows: 1) Optimal temperature conditions required for maximizing dry matterproduction were ; 20℃-Safari clover, Miles lotononis, and Cooper glycine, 30℃-Townsville stylo, Greenleaf desmodium, Siratro, and Leucaena. 2) Optimal temperature conditions required for maximizing N_2-fixation were ; 20℃-Safari clover, Miles lotononis, Cooper glycine, and leucaena, 25℃-Greenleaf desmodium and Siratro, 30℃-Townsville stylo. 3) Optimal temperature conditions required for the best nodule formation were almost identical to the case of dry matter production. With the results above a discussion concluded that there ae two sub-groups in the tropical legumes regarding optimal temperature conditions for their growth which consist of the optimal temperature conditions for the maximum dry matter production and N_2-fixation ; Cool tropical legumes-Safari clover, Miles lotononis, and Cooper glycine, Warm tropical legumes-Townsville stylo, Gree leafdesmodium, Siratro, and Leucaena. Also, concluded was that the optimal temperature for the maximum dry matter production plays more significant roles in differentiating above two sub-groups.
