Comparision of two methods used to study the biological nitrogen fixation and nitrogen transfer from peanut to rice in aerobic soil of intercropping system

Pot experiments was carried to study biological nitrogen fixation and nitrogen transfer from peanut to rice in aerobic soil of intercropping system wi th two different methods: 15N-foliar feeding and 15N-isoto pe dilution methods. E vidence of nitrogen transfer was obtained in all of the two methods, which repre sents about 2.0%-3.5% of total N fixed by peanut. Root partition experiments al so suggested that the relative proximity of the root system of the associated tw o components is essential for increasing of N-transfer. The two methods gave id e ntical results. The advantages and disadvantages of the tow methods are also dis cussed in the paper.