Soil Factors and the Occurrence of Partridge Pea (Cassia Fasciculata Michx.) in Illinois

Abstract

Partridge pea frequently occurs on non-stable sites and in Illinois occurs most often on silty clay loam soils. There· was no tendency to occur on· sandy sites as has been previously reported. Partridge pea occurs on soils with a wide range of pH values and on sites with both low and high phosphorus values. Low phosphorus values predominate in both the slowly and readily available forms. Partridge pea stands generally occur on soils with very high levels of available potassium but also occur on sites quite deficient in potassium. Total, mineral, and extractable calcium (measured as CaO) were pre·sent in partridge pea site soils in amounts ranging from .40 to 2.55%, .22 to 1.31 o/o, and .03 to 1.27%, respectively. Soils with partridge peas growing on them have a wide range in total nitrogen content but low values less than .181% predominate. These soils also generally have a low rate of nitrate production. Low nitrate production and/or low levels of available phosphorus may restrict the growth of other species on sites where C. fasciculata occurs. Total nitrogen and nitrate production, however, were not related to the amount of phosphorus. Subsoil clay content did not seem to be a factor in partridge pea stand occurrence. The species' ability to grow under some adverse conditions and on non-stable sites, including eroding areas, indicates that it is a species which might have a use similar to Korean lespedeza (Lespedeza stipulacea L.).

Interactions between Soil Habitat and Geographic Range Location Affect Plant Fitness

“…It is found in prairie remnants, old fields, open woodlands, and disturbed areas on a wide variety of soil types from sand to waterlogged clay soils [32], [33]. Within the range in Illinois (the only region with extensive data), C. fasciculata occurs on all these soil types but most often on silty clay loam soils [32].…”

Population variation in plant traits associated with ant attraction and herbivory in Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae)

“…(Fabaceae) (commonly known as partridge pea), is a self-compatible, outcrossing annual (Fenster 1991a, b). This legume forb is distributed throughout most of the eastern USA (Isley 1975) and grows in open and disturbed areas (Foote and Jackobs 1966). Plants produce racemes of yellow Xowers in the leaf axils.…”

Test of local adaptation to biotic interactions and soil abiotic conditions in the ant-tended Chamaecrista fasciculata (Fabaceae)

“…Leaf damage and ant abundance vary spatially among study sites in Missouri and Illinois, and appear to have selected for population diVerences in EFN characteristics (e.g., nectar production and concentration remained diVerent between populations under greenhouse conditions suggesting a genetic basis for population diVerences; Rios et al, in review). In addition, C. fasciculata populations occur on diVerent soil types in Missouri and Illinois, from sandy to very dense, clayey soils (Foote and Jackobs 1966); these soils vary in waterretention ability and fertility (LAR and RJM, unpublished data), which can aVect EFN nectar production (Chen 2003). Finally, given the observed low level of gene Xow in this species (Fenster 1991), diVerential selection by biotic and/ or abiotic factors across sites could promote local adaptation in C. fasciculata.…”