Effect of white clover mosaic virus infection on various processes relevant to symbiotic N2 fixation in red clover

The effect of white clover mosaic virus infection on several factors relevant to symbiotic N2 fixation was determined in nodulated red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) plants at 10-leaf, preblooming, blooming, and flower-senescence stages of growth, corresponding to 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after virus inoculation, respectively. Virus infection caused a significant reduction of plant growth (top and root weight), nodulation (number and weight of nodules), rhizobial population, nitrogenase activity, and leghemoglobin concentration in the nodules. The presence of a high concentration of virus within nodules at all harvest times was indicated by infectivity assays. The leghemoglobin was shown to be localized in the peribacteroidal space by a cytochemical technique. A significant increase in inducible nitrate reductase activity was associated with virus infection of plants.