钙对盐胁迫下冰叶日中花不同器官离子含量和根部K~+、Na~+吸收的影响

以冰叶日中花(Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.)实生苗为材料,经NaCl、NaCl+ CaCl_2、NaCl+LaCl_3处理后,利用电感耦合等离子发射光谱仪检测叶、茎、根中Na~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)含量,计算K~+/Na~+、Ca~(2+)/Na~+和Mg~(2+)/Na~+比值,利用非损伤微测技术测定根尖Na~+流和K~+流,研究盐胁迫下钙在维持离子平衡中的作用。结果显示,NaCl处理后,冰叶日中花各器官中Na~+含量增加,K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)含量降低,离子比值降低;CaCl_2处理降低了Na~+含量,提高了K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)含量,离子比值升高,而LaCl_3处理后的结果相反。经NaCl处理24 h后,冰叶日中花根尖Na~+和K~+明显外流,加入CaCl_2后,Na~+外流速度显著增加,K~+外流速度受到抑制,而加入LaCl_3后则降低了Na~+的外流速度,促进了K~+的外流。研究结果表明冰叶日中花受到盐胁迫后,钙参与了促进根部Na~+外排、抑制K~+外流的过程,进而保持各器官中较低的Na~+含量,表明钙在维持和调控离子平衡中起到重要作用。     

IAA和Ca^2＋对绿豆下胚轴切段伸长的影响及其相互关系

0.01 mmol/L IAA可以明显促进绿豆下胚轴切段的伸长,≤0.1 mmol/L CaCl_2也可促进其伸长,但当浓度为0.5 mmol/L时则有抑制作用。低浓度CaCl_2尚能加强IAA对绿豆下胚轴切段伸长的促进作用。Ca~(2+)专一性螯合剂EGTA、Ca~(2+)竞争性抑制剂LaCl_3及CaM拮抗剂CPZ均能抑制IAA促进绿豆下胚轴切段伸长的作用。增加培养介质中CaCl_2浓度可以逆转LaCl_3的抑制效应。     

吲哚乙酸对向日葵黄化幼苗下胚轴切段钾离子吸收的调节

IAA处理经适应性老化后的向日葵6～7日黄化幼苗的下胚轴切段,能显著促进它们的K~ 吸收和H~ 分泌。钒酸钠处理强烈地抑制K~ 吸收和H~ 分泌。IAA处理不改变K~ 吸收的V_(max)而使K_m明显变小。IAA处理显著促进在去离子水中的向日葵下胚轴切段的呼吸。KCl单独处理以较小的程度促进呼吸。IAA与KCl共同处理对呼吸的促进作用分别大于单独用IAA或KCI处理的促进作用,但小于这两个单独处理的促进作用之和。IAA促进的K~ 吸收并没有引起呼吸的进一步增加。IAA预处理向日葵下胚轴使从中提取的富含质膜制剂的K~ 刺激的ATP酶活力提高44.0％。在未经IAA预处理的富含质膜制剂中加IAA,K~ 刺激的ATP酶活力提高48.7％。IAA可以直接在质膜水平上促进向日葵下胚轴的质膜K~ 、Mg~(2 )—ATP酶活力。     

盐胁迫下Ca~(2 )对小麦根无机离子分布和膜脂脂肪酸的影响

用扫描电镜、X—射线能谱仪和等离子耦合吸收光谱(ICP)分析发现,培养在含NaCl培养液中,小麦柜吸收大量Na~ 和Cl~-,K~ 和Ca~(2 )的吸收降低,质膜相对透性提高,K~ 、Na~ 和Cl~-的相对外渗百分率增加。培养在补充CaCl_2含NaCl培养液的,Na~ 和Cl~-含量明显减低,K~ 和Ca~(2 )提高,质膜相对透性下降,K~ 、Na~ 和Cl~-相对外渗百分率减少。由气相色谱分析可知,用含NaCl或补充CaCl_2培养液培养的幼苗,根的膜脂脂肪酸组分没有变化,但培养在补充CaCl_2的培养液中的根,亚麻酸含量和脂肪酸不饱和指数下降。     

Ca~(++)促进大麦根K~+吸收的过程分析

吸收溶液中CaCl_2促进了大麦根K~+净吸收,Ca~(++)本身对H~+分泌无影响,Cl~-减少了H~+净分泌量。 含有~(86)Rb的大麦根在1m mol/L KCl溶液中发生~(86)Rb外流,在H_2O、1m mol/L NaCl或0.5 m mol/L CaCl_2中没有明显外流。VO_4~(3-)、NaN_3和4℃低温均可以减少根段在1m mol/L KCl溶液中的~(86)Rb外流量。Ca~(++)抑制K~+(~(86)Rb~+)的外流,EDTA加剧外流,Ca~(++)可以逆转EDTA的效应。 Ca~(++)抑制K~+(~(86)Rb)外流和促进K~+净吸收的趋势相吻合。K~+吸收的通量分析结果表明,Ca~(++)抑制K~+通过质膜的外流,促进K~+由细胞质向液泡中转运,而不影响K~+通过质膜的内流速率。     

华北平原玉米叶片光合及呼吸过程对实验增温的适应性

利用典型农田生态系统的原位实验增温平台,探讨我国华北平原重要农作物玉米叶片光合及呼吸过程对实验增温的适应性,并深入分析其产生适应性的原因和机理。研究结果显示,实验增温使玉米叶片净光合速率(A_n)显著升高(P0.001),同时增温也导致A_n的最适温度(T_(opt))升高1.56℃;相似地,实验增温也同样导致了光合作用过程中最大电子传递速率(J_(max))显著增加(P0.001),并且其最适温度(T_(opt))升高了1.45℃,但并没有对最大羧化反应速率(V_(cmax))及其温度敏感性(Q_(10))产生显著的影响(P0.05)。然而,实验增温却显著降低了玉米叶片的暗呼吸速率(R_d)及其Q_(10)值(P0.05)。另外,研究结果还显示实验增温没有对R_d/A_g和J_(max)/V_(cmax)产生显著的影响(P0.05)。此外,尽管实验增温显著提高了玉米叶片的蒸腾速率(T_r),但却并没有显著改变叶片的气孔导度(G_s)及水分利用效率(WUE)。研究结果表明,玉米可以通过调控叶片光合及呼吸等关键生理过程的最适温度对增温产生一定的适应性。然而,尽管玉米能够在叶片尺度上做出调整来适应增温环境,但这种适应能力却十分有限,以至于未来气候变暖仍可能会对华北平原玉米的生长发育过程和粮食产量造成一定的影响。     

氮磷添加对杉木林土壤碳氮矿化速率及酶动力学特征的影响

以江西杉木林红壤为研究对象,开展野外长期氮(N)、磷(P)添加控制试验,设置对照(CK)、N(50kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))、P(50kg P hm~(-2)a~(-1))、NP(50kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1)+50kg P hm~(-2)a~(-1))处理,分析N、P添加对土壤碳矿化速率(C_(min))、氮矿化速率(N_(min))和相关的β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶(βG)和β-1,4-N-乙酰葡糖氨糖苷酶(NAG)动力学参数的影响。结果表明:(1)N添加明显降低了C_(min)和N_(min),比CK分别减少了25%和18%;N添加减小了NAG的潜在最大酶活性(V_(max))、半饱和常数(K_m)、催化效率(V_(max)/K_m),但差异不显著(P0.05);N添加显著增加了βG的V_(max)、K_m,但对V_(max)/K_m有抑制作用。(2)P输入(P、NP)较CK使NAG的V_(max)、K_m减小26%—60%;NP同时添加明显提高βG和NAG的V_(max)/K_m(P0.05),但P输入(P、NP)对C_(min)和N_(min)影响不显著(P0.05)。(3)C_(min)与土壤溶解性有机碳正相关,N_(min)与pH显著正相关,与土壤NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N显著负相关;βG和NAG的V_(max)/K_m均与NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N负相关(P0.05),K_m均与NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N正相关(P0.05)。βG的V_(max)与NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N正相关(P0.05),NAG的V_(max)与有机碳、全氮、全磷、有效磷负相关(P0.05)。研究结果表明,在亚热带杉木人工林中,N添加降低土壤pH,增加土壤有效氮含量,抑制βG和NAG的V_(max)/K_m,对土壤C_(min)和N_(min)产生抑制作用;而NP添加增加土壤有效磷含量,增加土壤βG和NAG的V_(max)/K_m。     

增温与氮添加对不同季节杉木幼苗细根不同形态氮吸收动力学的影响

为了揭示不同季节下杉木人工林不同形态氮吸收速率对全球变暖与氮沉降的地下响应,在福建三明森林生态系统与全球变化研究站陈大观测点开展增温和氮添加双因子试验,包括对照、增温、施氮、增温+施氮4个处理。结果表明:(1)在三个季节中,4个处理的杉木细根对不同浓度下硝态氮的吸收速率基本呈现出春季较高,夏秋季较低的态势,而对不同浓度下铵态氮的吸收速率则相反,为夏秋季较高,春季较低。(2)不同季节四个处理的离体根对不同浓度下铵态氮的吸收均遵循米氏-曼氏动力学方程,而对硝态氮的吸收并不完全遵循米氏方程,表现为双相动力学。(3)春季,与无氮添加相比,氮添加提高了NH~+_4的最大吸收速率(V_(max)-NH~+_4)。夏季,与无增温相比,增温提高了V_(max)-NH~+_4。秋季,与无增温相比,增温降低了NH~+_4的半饱和常数(K_m-NH~+_4);与无氮添加相比,氮添加提高了K_m-NH~+_4。增温与氮添加对不同季节100μmol时的硝态氮吸收速率(V_(100)-NO~-_3)都没有显著影响。增温与氮添加对不同季节V_(max)-NH~+_4、K_m-NH~+_4和V_(100)-NO~-_3都没有显著的交互作用。本研究表明增温会提高杉木幼苗夏秋季的NH~+_4吸收能力,而氮添加会提高春季的NH~+_4吸收能力,降低秋季的NH~+_4吸收能力,但增温与氮添加并不会改变不同季节的NO~-_3吸收能力。     

玉米、花生及其间作茬口与施磷对冬小麦光合特性及产量的影响机制

该试验在玉米单作茬口、玉米-花生间作茬口(间作茬口)、花生单作茬口共3种茬口,以及0 kg P_2O_5·hm~(-2)(P_0)和180 kg P_2O_5·hm~(-2)(P_1) 2个磷水平下,研究了间作茬口与施磷对冬小麦分蘖、叶面积指数(LAI)、干物质积累、光合特性及产量的影响机制,为玉米花生间作与小麦-玉米复种轮作提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)间作茬口较玉米茬口显著提高了冬小麦有效分蘖数、LAI、净光合速率和干物质积累量,并提高了冬小麦旗叶的SPAD值、CO_2饱和点、光饱和点及最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、表观量子效率(AQY)、羧化效率(CE)、最大羧化速率(V_(cmax))、最大RUBP再生的电子传递速率(J_(max))和最大磷酸丙糖利用速率(V_(TPU)),且CE、V_(cmax)、V_(TPU)的增幅均达到显著水平(P0.05),有效改善了冬小麦产量构成,显著提高籽粒产量(P0.05)。(2)间作茬口较花生茬口提高了冬小麦乳熟期的P_(nmax)、AQY、CE,增加了穗粒数和粒重,提高了产量。(3)与不施磷相比,施磷180 kg P_2O_5·hm~(-2)显著促进间作茬口冬小麦生长,显著提高冬小麦旗叶的SPAD值、P_(nmax)、AQY、CE、V_(cmax)、J_(max)、V_(TPU)和籽粒产量(P0.05)。研究发现,间作茬口较玉米茬口能有效增强冬小麦旗叶表观量子效率和CO_2羧化能力,显著提高小麦花后光合能力,促进冬小麦生长,从而增加穗粒数、粒重和籽粒产量,且间作茬口结合施磷180 kg P_2O_5·hm~(-2)效果更好。     

两种AM真菌对冬小麦根系锌吸收的影响

无论在温室还是在大田条件下,菌根(AM)真菌均能够侵染冬小麦,但其对冬小麦锌(Zn)吸收的效应及机制尚不明确。本研究将摩西管柄囊霉Funneliformis mosseae和根内根孢囊霉Rhizophagus intraradices分别接种于冬小麦Triticum aestivum(品种:小偃22)根围,10周后分别利用菌根化幼苗进行短期(0–90min)Zn吸收动力学试验和长期(0–210min)Zn吸收积累试验,并研究AM真菌侵染对冬小麦根系形态特征的影响。结果表明,AM真菌通过增加根系长度和根尖数量来扩大冬小麦根系Zn吸收的有效面积、Zn最大吸收速度V_(max)和Zn~(2+)流入根系的速度α,进而促进冬小麦根系对Zn的吸收。接种摩西管柄囊霉降低了K_m值而接种根内根孢囊霉增加了K_m值,这可能与不同AM真菌对冬小麦根系形态影响及对Zn转运蛋白基因表达的影响存在差异有关。     

锌营养状况对小麦根细胞膜透性的影响

小麦缺锌不仅导致根系K~ 和NO_3~-泌出量增加,而且低分子量有机化合物如氨基酸、糖类化合物和酚类化合物的泌出量也明显提高。重新供锌(ZnSO_4)12h后,根系K~ 、NO_3~-、氨基酸和碳水化合物的泌出量迅速减少,随着时间的延长,泌出量接近对照水平。结果说明锌对根细胞膜结构的稳定性及膜功能的完整性是必不可少的。     

Salinity induced nuclear and DNA degradation in meristematic cells of soybean (Glycine max (L.)) roots

Changes in the nuclei of meristematic root cells of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Acme) in response to severe salinity were studied. Root growth was inhibited by 200 mM NaCl, when 1 mM CaCl_2 was present in the culture media. Increasing CaCl_2 up to 5 mM partially prevented this inhibition. However, inhibition also occurred with 100~mM NaCl without CaCl_2. We examined the meristematic cells under a series of NaCl treatments. Nuclear deformation of the cells occurred with 24 h of 150 mM or higher NaCl, and was followed by degradation of nuclei in the apical region of the root. TEM observation and agarose gel electrophoretic analysis confirmed that root tip nuclear DNA deformed or degraded with 150 mM or higher NaCl concentrations.     

海水胁迫对向日葵苗期生长及矿质营养吸收特性的影响

采用砂培法,研究了海水胁迫对向日葵幼苗生长及矿质营养吸收特性的影响。结果表明,海水胁迫下,向日葵幼苗株高、茎粗、干物重明显降低。幼苗根茎叶中Cl-,茎和叶中Mg2 、叶中Na 和Ca2 含量随海水浓度的增加而增加,根茎叶中K 、全氮和全磷含量随海水浓度升高而降低,但在10%和20%海水胁迫下,向日葵体内Na 、Cl-主要集中于根和茎中,叶中较少。海水胁迫下,向日葵幼苗各部位K /Na 始终是叶部最高,根部最低,且根茎叶中SK,Na值均大于1。因此,低浓度海水胁迫下向日葵幼苗对Na 和Cl-的截流作用、海水胁迫下幼苗根部对K 强的选择性吸收以及K 向地上部的选择性运输是向日葵具有一定耐盐性的主要原因。     

镉及其与钙组合对褐脉少花龙葵毛状根生长、抗氧化酶活性和吸收镉的影响

为了探讨利用褐脉少花龙葵毛状根来修复重金属镉(Cd)污染的可能性,采用溶液培养法研究了Cd单独及其与钙(Ca)组合对褐脉少花龙葵毛状根生长、抗氧化酶超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性及对Cd吸收的影响。结果表明,Cd≤50μmol/L时能促进毛状根生长,而高于100μmol/LCd则抑制毛状根生长,使其侧根根尖变褐和变短,数目减少。与对照相比,不同浓度Cd培养的毛状根可溶性蛋白含量和SOD活性先升高后逐渐下降;其丙二醛(MDA)含量显著提高;100μmol/LCd使毛状根POD活性逐渐升高,但300μmol/LCd则使毛状根POD活性逐渐降低。与对照(仅添加100μmol/L或300μmol/LCd的毛状根)相比,Cd和10～30mmol/LCaCl2组合培养使毛状根可溶性蛋白含量和MDA含量降低;但提高其SOD活性;而100μmol/LCd和10～30mmol/LCaCl2结合培养的毛状根POD活性均比对照低;而300μmol/LCd和10～30mmol/LCaCl2结合培养的毛状根POD活性则均比对照提高。原子吸收分光光度法测定结果表明,毛状根吸收和吸附的重金属Cd含量随着培养基中Cd浓度的升高而增加。但外源加入10～30mmol/LCaCl2能减少毛状根对Cd的吸收,并调节其抗氧化酶SOD和POD活性,降低其膜脂过氧化水平而解除重金属Cd对毛状根生长的抑制或毒害。     

Low-level herbivory by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) modifies root hair morphology and rhizodeposition in host plants (Hordeum vulgare)

Low amounts of root infestation by plant parasitic nematodes are suggested to increase nutrient supply and in turn enhance microbial activity and net mineralization rate in the rhizosphere. These effects are generally related to “leakage” of plant-derived metabolites from damaged roots. Besides leakage, the present study examines other nematode–host interactions such as alterations in root exudation and morphology, which were almost not considered yet. This includes undamaged root parts in order to assess systemic plant response. The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White 1919; Chitwood 1949) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Europa) was used as model system. Host plants were grown in mini-rhizotrons inoculated with 0, 2,000, 4,000 or 8,000 M. incognita for 4 weeks. Root morphology, rhizodeposition (sugars, carboxylates, amino acids), and rhizosphere microbial communities (PLFAs) were assessed. In treatments with 4,000 nematodes, shoot biomass, total N and P content increased by the end of the experiment. Generally, an enhanced release of plant metabolites (sugars, carboxylates, amino acids) from the apical root zone occurred 1 week after inoculation with 4,000 and 8,000 M. incognita, indicating root leakage. Low levels of root herbivory stimulated root hair elongation in both infected and uninfected roots. These systemic changes in root morphology likely contributed to the increased sugar exudation in uninfected roots in all nematode treatments at 3 weeks after inoculation. Root-knots formed a separate microhabitat within the root-system. They were characterised by decreased rhizodeposition and increased fungal to bacterial ratio in the adhering rhizosphere soil. The present study provides the first evidence that, apart from leakage, nematode root herbivory at background levels induces local and systemic effects on root morphology and exudation, which in turn may affect plant performance.     

水稻幼苗根质膜氧化还原系统活性与抗冷性的关系

本试验以水稻幼苗为材料,研究冷胁迫和钙浸种、低温锻炼、低温锻炼结合钙浸种预处理分别对幼苗根质膜Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６还原活性的影响。实验结果表明：冷胁迫降低了质膜Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６还原活性;钙浸种、低温锻炼、低温锻炼结合钙浸种预处理均提高了质膜Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６还源活性,尤其是削减了冷胁迫降低质膜Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６还原活性的作用。根质膜Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）３－６还原活性与水稻幼苗抗冷力密切相关。     

Mobilization and Acquisition of Sparingly Soluble P-Sources by Brassica Cultivars under P-Starved Environment Ⅱ. Rhizospheric pH changes, Redesigned Root Architecture and Pi-Uptake Kinetics

Non-mycorrhizal Brassica does not produce specialized root structures such as cluster or dauciform roots but is an effective user of P compared with other crops. In addition to P-uptake, utilization and remobilization activity, acquisition of orthophosphate (Pi) from extracellular sparingly P-sources or unavailable bound P-forms can be enhanced by biochemical rescue mechanisms such copious H~+-efflux and/or carboxylates exudation into rhizosphere by roots via plasmalemma H~+ ATPase and anion channels triggered by P-starvation. To visualize the dissolution of sparingly soluble Ca-phosphate (Ca-P), newly formed Ca-P was suspended in agar containing other essential nutrients. With NH_4~+ applied as the N source, the precipitate dissolved in the root vicinity can be ascribed to rhizosphere acidification, whereas no dissolution occurred with nitrate nutrition. To observe in situ rhizospheric pH changes, images were recorded after embedding the roots in agar containing bromocresol purple as a pH indicator. P-tolerant cultivar showed a greater decrease in pH than the sensitive cultivar in the culture media (the appearance of typical patterns of various colors of pH indicator in the root vicinity), and at stress P-level this acidification was more prominent. In experiment 2, low P-tolerant class-Ⅰ cultivars (Oscar and Con-Ⅱ) showed a greater decrease in solution media pH than low P-sensitive class-Ⅱ (Gold Rush and RL-18) cultivars, and P-contents of the cultivars was inversely related to decrease in culture media pH. To elucidate P-stressinduced remodeling and redesigning in a root architectural system, cultivars were grown in rhizoboxes in experiment 3.The elongation rates of primary roots increased as P-supply increased, but the elongation rates of the branched zones of primary roots decreased. The length of the lateral roots and topological index values increased when cultivars were exposed to a P-stress environment. To elucidate Pi-uptake kinetics, parameters related to P influx: maximal transport rate (V_(max)), the Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m), and the external concentration when net uptake is zero (C_(min)) were tested in experiment 4. Lower K_m and C_(min) values were better indicative of the P-uptake ability of the class-Ⅰ cultivars, evidencing their adaptability to P-starved environmental cues. In experiment 5, class-Ⅰ cultivars exuded two- to threefold more carboxylates than class-Ⅱ cultivars under the P-stress environment. The amount and types of carboxylates exuded from the roots of P-starved plants differed from those of plants grown under P-sufficient conditions. Nevertheless, the exudation rate of both class-Ⅰ and class-Ⅱ cultivars decreased with time, and the highest exudation rate was found after the first 4 h of carboxylates collection. Higher P uptake by class-Ⅰ cultivars was significantly related to the drop in root medium pH, which can be ascribed to H~+-efflux from the roots supplied with sparingly soluble rock-P and Ca_3(PO_4)_2. These classical rescue strategies provided the basis of P-solubilization and acquisition from sparingly soluble P-sources by Brassica cultivars to thrive in a typically stressful environment.     

Growth Medium and Phosphorus Supply Affect Cluster Root Formation and Citrate Exudation by Lupinus albus Grown in a Sand/Solution Split-Root System

We examined cluster root formation and root exudation by white lupin (Lupinus albus L. cv. Kiev Mutant) in response to growth medium and phosphorus supply in a sand/solution split-root system. The split-root system consisted of a nutrient solution compartment and a siliceous sand compartment. Phosphorus was applied at 1 (low-P plants) or 50 (high-P plants) μM as KH₂PO₄ to the solution compartment and at 10, 50 or 250 mg P kg⁻¹ as hydroxyapatite (Ca-P) to the sand compartment. In contrast to the high-P plants, P concentration and P uptake in the low-P plants increased with increasing P supply to the sand compartment. The NaHCO₃-extractable P was lower in the rhizosphere of the low-P plants than the high-P ones. The proton extrusion rate by the solution-grown roots of the low-P plants was higher than that of the high-P plants at the early growth stage. For the low-P plants, the proportion of dry root biomass allocated to cluster roots was higher in the solution compartment than that in the sand compartment. The citrate exudation increased in the sand compartment and decreased in the solution compartment with time, showing a lack of synchronization in citrate exudation by two root halves grown in different media. The cluster root proportion and citrate exudation in both compartments decreased with increasing shoot P concentration. An additional experiment with no P added to either root compartment showed that the proportion of cluster roots was about 9% lower in the sand than solution compartments. The results suggest that cluster root formation and citrate exudation can be significantly affected by the root growth medium in addition to being regulated by shoot P status. More P can be exploited from sparingly available Ca-P by the low-P plants than the high-P ones due to greater citrate exudation under P deficiency.     

Effects of defoliation and atmospheric CO2 depletion on nitrate acquisition,and exudation of organic compounds by roots of Festuca rubra

The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological basis of increased root exudation from Festuca rubra, in response to defoliation. The hypothesis, that assimilate supply to roots is a key determinant of the response of root exudation to defoliation was tested by imposing CO₂-deplete (< 50 mol mol^–1) atmospheres to F. rubra. This was done as a non-destructive means of preventing supply of new assimilate to roots of intact and defoliated plants. F. rubra was grown in axenic sand systems, with defoliation and CO₂-depletion treatments applied to plants at 14 and 35 days after planting. Root exudation and NO₃ ^– uptake were quantified throughout, and post-treatment uptake and allocation of N were determined from the distribution of ¹⁵N label, supplied as ¹⁵NO₃ ^–. Defoliation of F. rubra resulted in significantly (P <0.01) increased root exudation, CO₂-depletion did not result in increased exudation from plants of either age. When treatments were applied to F. rubra after 14 days, defoliation and CO₂-depletion each reduced NO₃ ^– uptake significantly (P <0.05). However, in older plants, uptake of NO₃ ^– was less sensitive to defoliation and CO₂-depletion. The results indicate that increased root exudation following defoliation is not related directly to reduced assimilate supply to roots. This was evident from the lack of effect of CO₂-depletion on root exudation, and the absence of correlation between root-C efflux and the rate of NO₃ ^– uptake. The physiological basis of increased exudation following defoliation remains uncertain, but may be dependent on physical damage, either directly or as a consequence of systemic responses to wounding.