• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.493-502
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• 1995

Nodulation phenology in relation to plant phenology, vertical distribution of nodul and root biomass in different soil, correlation between nodule and root size, and nitrogen mineralization around the rhizosphere by ion-exchange resin bag buried at 10 cm of soil were studied in Elaeagnus nmbellata (autumn-olive) stand, Korea. Nodulation appeared from spring to autumn and nodule phenology was coincided with the timing of root activity rather than that of foliation. Nodul size increased in proportion to the root size. In the sand dune with the lower root biomass, nodule appeared up to 80 cm deep in soil and the nodule biomass was 1,070 kg/ha, which was the highest value reported for several actinorhizal plants in the temperate regions. It is suggested that nodule distribution and production are mainly influenced by soil aeration among environmental factors. The higher ammonification or lower nitrification rate contrasted markedly with the earlier studies that reported lower ammonification or higher nitrification in actinorhizal plant soil. Nitrogen mineralization rate around the rhizosphere with root and nodule was characterized by higher nitrification rate than that in the control soil without root and nodule.