GERMINATION, GROWTH, AND NODULATION OF SESBANIA-ROSTRATA GROWN IN PB ZN MINE TAILINGS/

This study examined the possibility of growth, nodulation, and nitroge n accumulation of Sesbania rostrata in pure and amended Pb/Zn tailings . About 90% of seeds of S. rostrata germinated in pure Pb/Zn tailings, which contained high concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd. Although s eedling growth suffered from the adverse environment of Pb/Zn tailings , they became established an tailings stands, in the greenhouse, as we ll as on the actual tailings dam, and completed their life cycle in 4 months. Dry matter production and nitrogen accumulation was 3200 kg/ha and 69.4 kg/ha, respectively in the actual tailings dam. Applying ino rganic fertilizer to Pb/Zn tailings led to no obvious improvement in g rowth and nodulation of S. rostrata, while tailings amended by river s ediment or domestic refuse rich in organic matter improved the growth and nodulation of the species. Azorhizobium caulinodans survived and f ormed N-fixing stem and root nodules in S. rostrata grown in pure Pb/Z n tailings with a nodule biomass exceeding 300 mg fresh matter per pla nt.