I find it a bit unusual that you talk only about nitrogen fixing plants
Cory. I have alweays thought about nitrogen fixing bacteria for I have seen
bacteria on their own without plants fix nitrogen. As long as they had a
source of decomposing carbon and some supply of phosphate that is.
Also on our grazing fields we see a competition between clovers (mostly
white clover because this stays quite low to the ground where other clovers
grow higher and are eaten by ruminants a lot faster) and grasses. Grasses
need nitrogen to do well and compete out the clover eventually. When we put
some rock phosphate out the clovers boom again.
All that said, I know well that plant species provide nitrogen fixing
bacteria with root exudates to make them thrive and do their business. But
again, phosphate in the soil is essential for the nitrogen fixing process.
(as are oxygenation of the soil and many trace elements)
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