Impact of CO2 Enrichment and Variable Nitrogen Supplies on Composition and Partitioning of Essential Nutrients of Wheat

This study was conducted to determine effects of nitrogen supply (75 and 150 kg(N) ha⁻¹) and CO₂ enrichment on partitioning of macro and micro nutrients in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. HD-2285). Plants were grown from seedling emergence to maturity inside open top chambers under ambient CO₂ (CA, 350 ± 50 μmol mol⁻¹) and elevated CO₂ (CE, 600 ± 50 μmol mol⁻¹). Leaves, stems and roots of the same physiological age were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, calcium, copper, iron, zinc and manganese content at 40, 60 and 90 d after germination. C, Cu, Mn and Zn content was higher in the stem, leaves and roots on dry mass basis under CE than CA. However, N and Fe contents decreased in CE grown plants. Ca content was unaffected due to CE and variable N supplies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

不同施磷水平对冷浸田水稻磷含量、光合特性及产量的影响

为探讨施磷对冷浸田水稻(Oryza sativa)生长的作用,研究不同施磷水平对水稻植株的磷含量、光合特性及产量的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,分蘖期增施磷肥使根、茎叶的磷含量和叶片净光合速率增加10.53%~36.84%、18.52%~37.03%和15.17%~29.88%;抽穗期使根、茎叶和稻穗的磷含量增加11.76%~23.53%、24.13%~41.38%和9.68%~22.58%,叶片净光合速率和可溶性糖含量提高13.41%~27.10%和6.03%~22.38%,而淀粉含量则降低12.05%~41.77%;成熟期的稻穗磷含量和产量增加0.71%~28.57%和4.65%~10.32%。施磷量(X)与稻谷产量(Y)满足方程:Y=-0.0835X~2+14.224X+6530.9(r=0.94*),抽穗期茎叶磷含量、叶片净光合速率与稻谷产量的相关系数分别为0.57*和0.77*。因此,冷浸田增施磷肥可提高水稻植株的磷含量、叶片净光合速率和可溶性糖含量,并降低叶片淀粉累积,从而提高稻谷产量。抽穗期是磷肥影响冷浸田水稻产量的关键时期,0.38%的茎叶磷含量可作为磷素养分丰缺的诊断指标,冷浸田水稻磷肥(P2O5)的推荐用量为85.17 kg hm–2。     

Nitrogen use efficiency of sugarcane in relation to its BNF potential and population of endophytic diazotrophs at different N levels

The nitrogen fixing bacterial endophytes Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and Herbaspirillum spp. have been proposed to benefit sugarcane (Saccaharum spp. hybrids) growth. Variable populations of these endophytes exist depending upon ontogenic and climatic variations as well. This study investigates the effect of variable chemical nitrogen application in soil on the population of endophytic diazotrophs, acetylene reduction ability of excised roots, plant N-nutrient use efficiency and probable interactions among different parameters in eight commercial sugarcane varieties of subtropical India. Recovery efficiency (RE), agronomic efficiency (AE), partial factor productivity (PFP) and physiologic efficiency (PE) indicators were used for accounting N-nutrient use efficiency. The population of G. diazotrophicus was more at N₇₅ compared to N₀ and N₁₅₀, whereas Herbaspirillum population increased from N₀ to N₁₅₀. ARA was positively correlated with Gluconacetobacter population in rhizosphere and root, whereas it had poor correlation with Herbaspirillum population. Positive correlation of RE and AE with ARA of roots, Gluconacetobacter and Herbaspirillum populations in roots and stems indicate their positive contribution in total nitrogen uptake by the plant per kg of N applied. Average PFP was 808.9 at N₇₅ compared to 408.7 at N₁₅₀ indicating that N was utilized efficiently at low N input status in sugarcane. Strong positive correlations of AE₇₅ (agronomic efficiency from 75 kg N ha⁻¹ to 150 kg N ha⁻¹) with N-uptake (r ² = 0.615), cane yield (r ² = 0.758) and PFP (r ² = 0.758) and other parameters compared to AE (agronomic efficiency from 0 kg N ha⁻¹ to 75 kg N ha⁻¹ or 150 kg N ha⁻¹) correlations with N-uptake (r ² = 0.111), cane yield (r ² = 0.368) and PFP (r ² = 0.190) indicated that the AE of sugarcane was strongly directed towards producing more cane yield per unit of N fertilizer once the sugarcane plant has established using initial dose of nitrogen and thus AE₇₅ seems to be a more appropriate indicator for accounting N-nutrient use efficiency in sugarcane.     

Nitrate reductase activity of two leafy vegetables as affected by nickel and different nitrogen forms

The author studied the effect of different nickel concentrations (0, 0.4, 40 and 80 μM Ni) on the nitrate reductase (NR) activity of New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia expansa Murr.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Justyna) plants supplied with different nitrogen forms (NO₃ ⁻–N, NH₄ ⁺–N, NH₄NO₃). A low concentration of Ni (0.4 μM) did not cause statistically significant changes of the nitrate reductase activity in lettuce plants supplied with nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ⁻–N) or mixed (NH₄NO₃) nitrogen form, but in New Zealand spinach leaves the enzyme activity decreased and increased, respectively. The introduction of 0.4 μM Ni in the medium containing ammonium ions as a sole source of nitrogen resulted in significantly increased NR activity in lettuce roots, and did not cause statistically significant changes of the enzyme activity in New Zealand spinach plants. At a high nickel level (Ni 40 or 80 μM), a significant decrease in the NR activity was observed in New Zealand spinach plants treated with nitrate or mixed nitrogen form, but it was much more marked in leaves than in roots. An exception was lack of significant changes of the enzyme activity in spinach leaves when plants were treated with 40 μM Ni and supplied with mixed nitrogen form, which resulted in the stronger reduction of the enzyme activity in roots than in leaves. The statistically significant drop in the NR activity was recorded in the aboveground parts of nickel-stressed lettuce plants supplied with NO₃ ⁻–N or NH₄NO₃. At the same time, there were no statistically significant changes recorded in lettuce roots, except for the drop of the enzyme activity in the roots of NO₃ ⁻-fed plants grown in the nutrient solution containing 80 μM Ni. An addition of high nickel doses to the nutrient solution contained ammonium nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺–N) did not affect the NR activity in New Zealand spinach plants and caused a high increase of this enzyme in lettuce organs, especially in roots. It should be stressed that, independently of nickel dose in New Zealand spinach plants supplied with ammonium form, NR activity in roots was dramatically higher than that in leaves. Moreover, in New Zealand spinach plants treated with NH₄ ⁺–N the enzyme activity in roots was even higher than in those supplied with NO₃ ⁻–N.     

Nitrogen translocation via rhizome systems in monoclonal stands ofReynoutria japonica in an oligotrophic desert on Mt Fuji: Field experiments

Mechanisms which enableReynoutria japonica, a dominant pioneer herb, to be successful in maintaining large stands in an oligotrophic volcanic desert on Mt Fuji were investigated with special reference to its nitrogen acquisition.Reynoutria japonica forms circular stands, each of which comprises only one genet. As a stand develops outwards, the number of aerial shoots per unit area decreases in the center. Shoots grow vigorously in the peripheral area where the available nitrogen from soil and precipitation (about 2.4 g m⁻² year⁻²) was much less than total nitrogen in the shoots (6.1–9.1 g m⁻²). Leaf nitrogen content per unit mass was also greater in the leaves of the peripheral shoots. When rhizomes extending radially from the center to the periphery were severed, the dry mass of shoots in the periphery diminished by 75% on a ground area basis. In the periphery, leaf nitrogen content also reduced significantly and no flowers were produced. When fertilizer was applied to the peripheral shoots with severed rhizomes, neither growth, survival nor flower production of the shoots was significantly smaller than the control levels. In these shoots, it is also found that the nitrogen content in the youngest leaves decreased for about 1 month and then increased to above that in the control leaves. These results suggest that (i) nitrogen accumulated in the central part is translocated to peripheral shoots via rhizomes, and that long-distance translocation enables the stands to develop outwards, and (ii) aerial shoots in the periphery utilize the nitrogen translocated by rhizomes in the beginning of the growth season, whereas once the shoots have established, they begin to take up nitrogen with their own roots. Since the peripheral shoots are in sunnier environments than the shoots inside the stand, the acropetal nitrogen translocation via rhizomes will raise the production efficiency of a whole stand.     

Influence of vegetation and soil types on the wheatbelt termite,Drepanotermes tamminensis (Hill), in the Western Australian wheatbelt

A survey of the distribution and density of mounds of the harvester termite,Drepanotermes tamminensis (Hill), was carried out in the Durokoppin Nature Reserve, Western Australia in 1990. Vegetation and, to a lesser extent, soil type, appear to be important factors in determining density and distribution of termite mounds within the Reserve. A more detailed study of mounds in Wandoo (Eucalyptus capillosa) woodland and Casuarina (Allocasuarina campestris) shrubland indicated that the total number and size of mounds were significantly higher in the woodland than in the shrubland. The total wet weight biomass ofD. tamminensis was calculated as 3.74 gm⁻² (37.4 kg ha⁻¹) in the woodland and 1.69 gm⁻² (16.9 kg ha⁻¹) in the shrubland. Thus, of the two favored habitats, Wandoo woodland appears to be more optimal for this termite species than the Casuarina shrubland.     

Stem tissue phosphorus as an index of the phosphorus status of Banksia ericifolia L. f.

The effects of P fertilizer rate on shoot growth and the total P concentration of the whole shoot, new and mature leaves, symptom leaves and stems of Banksia ericifolia L. f., a P-sensitive species, were investigated in a six month greenhouse pot experiment. Shoot dry weight of plants growing in an Australian sedge peat, coarse sand and perlite potting mix (1:1:1) increased with up to 100 mg P L⁻¹ supplied as a six month controlled release P (0:18:0) fertilizer, but was reduced by toxicity at the highest application rate (200 mg P L⁻¹). Plants receiving this treatment developed chlorotic new and mature leaves. Leaf symptoms observed at rates of 60–100 mg P L⁻¹ were confined to old leaves and were related to the P concentration of the shoot. Growth was not affected at these rates. The P concentration of stems was strongly influenced by P supply. This tissue acted as a sink for excess P, helping to regulate the P concentration of leaves. The approximate range of P concentrations in stem tissue, associated with greater than 90% of maximum shoot dry weight, was 0.5–1.5 g P kg⁻¹ tissue dry weight. This was greater than that calculated for mature leaves (0.5–0.8 g kg⁻¹) or for whole shoots (0.5–1.2 g kg⁻¹). This wider range, and the capacity to store P in excess to requirement, makes the stem a better index tissue for plant P status than either leaves or whole shoots. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Total nitrogen uptake by maize with Azotobacter inoculation

Summary The economic feasibility of using cultures of nitrogen fixing microorganisms in programmes to increase crop production, as a selfgenerating source of nitrogen, has been proved beyond doubtviz. Legume-Rhizobium symbiosis and blue green algal ‘fertilizer’ for rice. The extent to which the free living, N-fixing, aerobic, heterotropicAzotobacter chroococcum could replace the application of nitrogenous fertilizer to maize was investigatedin vivo. Total nitrogen uptake (kg ha⁻¹) by maize after inoculation with Azotobacter combined with moderate applications of nitrogen fertilizer and farmyard manure was influenced significantly and resulted in a higher nitrogen concentration in grain and stover along with a higher yield. Part of Ph.D. Thesis     

The fate of15N labeled nitrogen applied to mature citrus trees

Summary The efficiency and balance of nitrogen from one year's application was studied in a long-term fertigation experiment. Enriched nitrogen fertilizer, K¹⁵NO₃, was applied to a 22-year-old Shamouti orange tree with a history of high N applications (N₃) and to an N-starved tree (N₁). The distribution of N in the different parts of the trees and in the soil was determined after the experimental trees were excavated. Similar total recovery of the labeled fertilizer N was found in the trees and soil in both treatments (N₁−61.7% N₃−56%). However, the distribution between tree and soil was different. The amount of recovered residual fertilizer in the soil was much larger in the N₃ treatment than in N₁. The highest percentage of fertilizer N was found in the new organs,i.e. fruits, twigs and leaves. The roots and branches took up only 6–14% from the labeled fertilizer. Only 20.9% of the leaf N and 23.4% of the fruit N in the N₃ tree originated in the labeled fertilizer, indicating translocation of N from older parts of the tree to new growth. Evidence was found of storage of N in the wooded branches, while the roots contained a surprisingly small part of labeled fertilizer. Contribution 1599E.     

The Involvement of Cytokinin Oxidase/Dehydrogenase and Zeatin Reductase in Regulation of Cytokinin Levels in Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Leaves

Cytokinin metabolism in plants is very complex. More than 20 cytokinins bearing isoprenoid and aromatic side chains were identified by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) in pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Gotik) leaves, indicating diverse metabolic conversions of primary products of cytokinin biosynthesis. To determine the potential involvement of two enzymes metabolizing cytokinins, cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX, EC 1.5.99.12) and zeatin reductase (ZRED, EC 1.3.1.69), in the control of endogenous cytokinin levels, their in vitro activities were investigated in relation to the uptake and metabolism of [2−³H]trans-zeatin ([2−³H]Z) in shoot explants of pea. Trans-zeatin 9-riboside, trans-zeatin 9-riboside-5′-monophosphate and cytokinin degradation products adenine and adenosine were detected as predominant [2−³H]Z metabolites during 2, 5, 8, and 24 h incubation. Increasing formation of adenine and adenosine indicated extensive degradation of [2−³H]Z by CKX. High CKX activity was confirmed in protein preparations from pea leaves, stems, and roots by in vitro assays. Inhibition of CKX by dithiothreitol (15 mM) in the enzyme assays revealed relatively high activity of ZRED catalyzing conversion of Z to dihydrozeatin (DHZ) and evidently competing for the same substrate cytokinin (Z) in protein preparations from pea leaves, but not from pea roots and stems. The conversion of Z to DHZ by pea leaf enzyme was NADPH dependent and was significantly inhibited or completely suppressed in vitro by diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DIECA; 10 mM). Relations of CKX and ZRED in the control of cytokinin levels in pea leaves with respect to their potential role in establishment and maintenance of cytokinin homeostasis in plants are discussed.     

Effects of Rhizobium inoculation on growth and nodulation ofAlbizia falcataria (L.) Fosh. andAcacia mangium Willd. in the nursery

Three separate experiments were conducted in the nursery using grassland soil as a growing medium. The first experiment was conducted to assess the nodulation of the two legume trees grown in unamended soil, the second was done to determine the effects of N-fertilizer application on the interaction of the five Rhizobium isolates withA. falcataria and the third experiment was conducted to determine the effects of liming on theRhizobium × A. mangium interaction. Three local Rhizobium isolates, A₁₆, A₁₈, and A₁₄ were effective forA. falcataria with A₁₆ as the most promising strain under the conditions described. In general, application of combined nitrogen suppressed nodulation ofA. falcataria. Nodulation in the absence of combined N exceeded those fertilized with 30 kg N ha⁻¹ by 114.0%, 60 kg N ha⁻¹ by 209.6% and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ by 237.1%. Two local isolates, Am₁₀ and Am₂, and an introduced strain, NA 1533 from Australia were promising forA. mangium. Unlike inA. falcataria, the application of combined nitrogen at the rate of 100 kg N ha⁻¹ did not suppress nodulation inA. mangium. Liming the soil to pH 6.5 regardless of nitrogen fertilizer application improved the performance of the Rhizobium—A. mangium symbiosis.     

A Method to Estimate Practical Radial Oxygen Loss of Wetland Plant Roots

The estimation of practical radial oxygen loss (ROL) of wetland plant roots was attempted in this study. We have devised a new method to measure ROL of wetland plant roots. The whole root system was bathed in an anoxic nutrient solution. Oxygen released from the root was removed immediately by introducing oxygen-free nitrogen gas (O₂ < 4 nmol L⁻¹) to mimic natural habitats where released oxygen is consumed rapidly due to chemical and biological oxidation processes. Oxygen removed from the root-bathing chamber was simultaneously detected colorimetrically by use of the highly oxygen-sensitive anthraquinone radical anion (AQ·⁻) in a cell outside the root-bathing chamber, which decolorized by a rapid reaction with oxygen. An emergent macrophyte Typha latifolia L. was incubated, and its ROL was measured by both the new method and one of the conventional methods, the closed chamber/electrode method, by which the ROL of Typha latifolia L. had not yet been measured. The new method succeeded in detecting the ROL, whereas the conventional method was not able to detect oxygen, due to the level being below the detection limit of the oxygen electrode. The oxygen supply via the seedlings of Typha latifolia L. was ca. 10 times higher compared with control measurements without plant. Light illumination significantly enhanced the ROL of Typha latifolia L. (0.33 nmol O₂ g⁻¹ root dry weight s⁻¹ under light and 0.18 nmol O₂ g⁻¹ root dry weight s⁻¹ in the dark). Theses values fall between those previously reported by the closed chamber/titanium citrate method and the open chamber/electrode method.     

Colonization of endophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pantoea agglomerans</Emphasis> YS19 on host rice,with formation of multicellular symplasmata

Pantoea agglomerans YS19 is a diazotrophic endophyte isolated from rice (Oryza sativa cv. Yuefu) grown in a temperate-climatic region in west Beijing (China). The colonization of YS19 on host rice was studied in this paper. It was revealed that YS19 colonizes in all the tissues of rice seedlings, including roots (dominantly at elongation regions, lateral root junctions, root hairs and root caps), stems and leaves. More YS19 colonizes in stem and leaves (1.40 × 10⁵ CFU mg⁻¹ fresh weight) than that in roots (3.60 × 10⁴ CFU mg⁻¹). Symplasmata, a kind of adaptive structure of the strain for its endophytic living, were repeatedly observed to form inside root or stem cortex parenchyma tissues, as well as on leaf surfaces and also rhizoplanes. A novel matrix protein (SPM43.1) with its expression paralleling to the formation of symplasmata was captured, whose meaning in structural construction of symplasmata was also discussed.     

Nitrogen sequestration capacity of two salt marshes from the Tagus estuary

The role of salt marshes as nitrogen sink is examined taking into consideration the seasonal variation of above and belowground biomass of Spartina martima and Halimione portulacoides in two marshes from Tagus estuary, Pancas and Corroios, and the degradation rates of belowground litter. Total nitrogen was determined in plant components, decomposing litter and sediment. Biomass was higher in Corroios, the saltier marsh, with 7190 g m⁻² y⁻¹ dw of S. maritima and 6593 g m⁻² y⁻¹ dw of H. portulacoides and the belowground component contributed to 96% and 90% of total biomass, respectively. In the other marsh, Pancas, belowground biomass contributed to 56% and 76% of total biomass for S. maritima and H. portulacoides, respectively. Litterbag experiment showed that between 25% and 50% of nitrogen is lost within the first month and remained relatively constant in the next four months. Slower decomposition is observed in sediments with higher nitrogen concentration (max. 0.7% N in the saltier marsh). Higher concentrations of N were found in the sediment upper layers. Considering the sediment-root system, most of the nitrogen is stored in the sediment compartment and only about 1–4% of the total N was found in the roots. Considering these results, Tagus salt marshes act as a sink for nitrogen.     

Allantoin involved in species interactions with rice and other organisms in paddy soil

Allantoin (5-ureidohydantoin) plays an essential role in the assimilation, metabolism, transport, and storage of nitrogen in numerous higher plants, but its ecological implications are largely unknown. In this study allantoin was found in tissues of 11 rice (Oryza sativa) varieties tested, and its structure was characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis to confirm the fact that allantoin was actually obtained from the rice plants. Furthermore, the endogenous allantoin was exuded from the rice roots into the rhizosphere soils and had a great diversity of biological effects on associated weeds and microbes by soil interactions once released. However, allantoin levels in tissues or soils could not be distinguished between the allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice varieties. Field experiments showed that levels of allantoin released from rice varieties varied with their growth stages and reached the maximal levels at the stem elongation or panicle initiation to booting stages and then decreased dramatically. Allantoin could significantly stimulate the germination and growth of Echinochloa crus-galli and populations of soil bacteria and actinomycetes at selected test concentrations (30–500 μg/g), but had no effect on soil fungi. The half-life (t _1/2 ) of allantoin in autoclaved soil (20.2 ± 2.5 h, r ² = 0.95) was almost three-times longer than in non-autoclaved soil (7.3 ± 1.9 h, r ² = 0.92), indicating that rapid biodegradation or transformation of allantoin occurs in paddy soil. The results suggest that not only may allantoin play a role in the transport and storage of nitrogen in rice tissues but it may also participate in species interactions between rice and other organisms in paddy soil.     

Interactive effects of UV-B irradiation and triadimefon on nodulation and nitrogen metabolism in Vigna radiata plants

Supply of aqueous solution of triadimefon (20 mg dm⁻³) to unstressed green gram plants increased the contents of soluble proteins, amino acids, nitrate and nitrite, and the activity of nitrate reductase in the leaves and nitrate reductase in nodules. The nitrogenase activity in nodules and roots was also increased. Number and fresh mass of nodules and their nitrate and nitrite contents were also higher than those of the controls. In contrast, the UV-B stress (12.2 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹) suppressed nodulation and nitrogen metabolism in leaves and roots compared to plants under natural UV-B (10 kJ m⁻² d⁻¹). Triadimefon-treated plants did not show such severe inhibitions after exposure to elevated UV-B. Thus triadimefon increased their tolerance to UV-B stress.     

Nitrogen fixation in sediments and the rhizosphere of the seagrassZostera capricorni

Rates of nitrogen fixation in seagrass beds (Zostera capricorni) were determined with¹⁵N and reduction of acetylene in intact cores of sediment and seagrass. There was good agreement in the results from the two techniques, with a molar ratio of 3∶1.9 ethylene: ammonia produced. Fixed nitrogen was rapidly utilized by the plants, with significant amounts of¹⁵N found in the roots and rhizomes and 50% of fixed¹⁵N apparently translocated to the leaves. Rates of fixation were high in summer (25 to 40 mg N m⁻² day⁻¹) and lower in winter (10 mg N m⁻² day⁻¹) and were estimated to supply between one-third and one-half of the nitrogen requirements of the seagrass. Rates of nitrogen fixation were greater in the light than in the dark, and in cores of intact seagrass than in defoliated cores, indicating that the bacteria were dependent on organic compounds secreted by the plants.