低氧胁迫下钙对樱桃根系功能及氮代谢的影响

以樱桃组培苗‘吉塞拉5号’为试材,采用营养液水培控制溶氧浓度的方法,研究短期低氧胁迫下钙对其根系功能及氮代谢的影响.结果表明:与对照相比,低氧加钙处理的樱桃植株根系活力显著升高,根系呼吸速率抑制作用明显减轻,与氮代谢相关的硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)及谷氨酸脱氢酶(NADH-GDH)活性也显著升高,从而为低氧逆境下樱桃根系的吸收作用提供足够的能量,保证了糖酵解和电子传递的顺利进行,缓解了樱桃的低氧伤害,且10 mmol·L-1 Ca2+处理的缓解效果优于5 mmol·L-1处理;低氧缺钙处理的樱桃植株根系活力显著下降,根系呼吸速率抑制作用明显加重,NR、GS及NADH-GDH活性显著降低;表明适当提高生长介质中的Ca2浓度可缓解低氧胁迫对樱桃根系的伤害.     

水培硝态氮浓度对冬小麦幼苗氮代谢的影响

以Hoagland营养液为培养基质,以冬小麦为试材,动态测定高(含NO3--N15mmol·L-1)、中(含NO3--N7.5mmol·L-1)、低(含NO3--N2.5mmol·L-1)三种氮水平处理条件下硝态氮的吸收和累积、硝酸还原酶活性、铵态氮含量、小麦吸氮量及根系活力,分析不同供氮水平对冬小麦硝态氮吸收、还原、转运的影响,探讨不同供氮条件下,植物地上、地下部分硝态氮代谢的变化。结果表明:水培条件下,营养液NO3-的消耗量、pH变化、植株全氮以及根系活力均能较好地反映不同氮水平对植株硝态氮代谢的影响;高氮条件下植物体内NO3-进一步同化较中氮弱,冬小麦植株积累了较多的NO3-,而非过多的吸收营养液中的NO3-。不同氮浓度处理下,NO3-的供应与植株NRA间无相关关系,根系与地上部的变化曲线不同;NO3-供应浓度高时,植物地上部是主要同化部位;低浓度时根部是主要同化部位。虽然NO3-是一种安全的氮源,但供应过高则抑制体内硝态氮进一步同化,而供应过低,植物吸收NO3-量不足、根系活力下降,不利于小麦幼苗氮素营养。     

大气CO_2浓度和供氮水平对油菜前期生长及氮素吸收利用的影响

采用砂培试验,在2种CO2浓度(自然CO2浓度400μmol·mol-1和高CO2浓度700μmol·mol-1)和2种供氮水平(常氮15 mmol N·L-1和氮胁迫5 mmol N·L-1)下,研究了油菜营养生长阶段的干物质累积和氮素吸收利用的变化。结果表明:高CO2浓度条件下,油菜株高、根茎粗和干物质累积量增加,其中,常氮条件下,根茎粗和地上部干重的增加幅度大于氮胁迫条件,株高和根系干重增加幅度则常氮条件小于氮胁迫条件;高CO2浓度下,根体积、根系活跃吸收面积和总吸收面积在2个供氮水平下均增加,而一级侧根数只在常氮条件下增加,根长只在氮胁迫条件下增加;高CO2浓度条件下,油菜各器官含氮量下降,其中,叶片和根系的含氮素量下降幅度明显大于茎;高CO2浓度条件下,正常供氮时根、茎、叶氮素累积量均增加,氮胁迫时茎氮素累积量增加,而根和叶的氮素累积量减少;高CO2浓度条件下,氮素吸收效率、氮素利用效率和氮效率均增加,常氮条件下增加幅度大于低氮条件,其中,氮素利用效率对氮水平的响应更加明显。     

外源钙离子对小麦幼苗氮素代谢的影响

以普通小麦豫麦34为材料,研究了不同浓度的外源Ca2 对小麦幼苗氮素代谢的影响.在小麦第一片叶完全展开后,开始外源Ca2 处理,设0 (对照)、2、4 mmol · L-1 和8 mmol · L-1 4个Ca2 浓度梯度.处理5d后,测定氮同化酶活性、氮同化量及其它相关代谢物含量.结果表明,小麦幼苗叶片中硝酸还原酶(NR)和谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)在2 mmol · L-1 Ca2 处理下活性比对照有显著增加,4 mmol · L-1 Ca2 处理的NR活性增加明显,但GS活性增加不显著;8 mmol · L-1 Ca2 处理下NR和GS活性比对照均明显降低.谷氨酸脱氢酶(NADH-GDH)活性在2 mmol · L-1 Ca2 处理下活性增加不明显,而在4、8 mmol · L-1 Ca2 处理下活性显著增加.小麦幼苗氮同化量以4 mmol · L-1处理最大,2 mmol · L-1处理与4 mmol · L-1之间差异不显著;Ca2 浓度为8 mmol · L-1时,氮素同化量明显降低.结果揭示了小麦幼苗不同氮同化途径对Ca2 的响应不同,GS途径比GDH途径对小麦氮素同化量的增加作用更大;4 mmol · L-1对小麦幼苗的氮素利用可能是最有效的Ca2 浓度.     

樱桃番茄幼苗对硝酸盐胁迫的生长和生理响应

以樱桃番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.var.cerasiforme Alef.)品种‘大红樱桃番茄’为材料,采用水培试验研究了外源施加0、50、100、150和200mmol·L-1硝酸盐(NO3-)对樱桃番茄幼苗生长和生理生化指标的影响。结果表明:硝酸盐处理6d后,番茄幼苗株高、鲜重、干重和相对含水量随着处理浓度的增加呈下降的趋势,而根冠比呈先增加后下降的趋势;番茄幼苗根系硫代巴比妥酸反应物(TBARS)、活性氧(ROS)、H2O2和蛋白羰基(PC)的含量均随着处理浓度的增加而增加;番茄幼苗根系SOD、POD、CAT和APX活性和基因表达均随着处理浓度的增加而降低,而其根系脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白的含量随着处理浓度的增加而增加。研究发现,樱桃番茄幼苗生长在硝酸盐浓度为50mmol·L-1时受到影响不大,但硝酸盐浓度达到100mmol·L-1时已对番茄生长产生显著胁迫,导致膜脂氧化损伤,降低抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT和APX)活性,但番茄也能够通过调节渗透调节剂的合成代谢来抵御硝酸盐胁迫,从而表现出一定的硝酸盐耐受性。     

四种景天属植物对锌吸收和累积差异的研究

采用营养液培养试验 ,比较研究了 4种景天属植物对Zn的吸收、积累和运输特性。结果表明 ,东南景天(SedumalfrediiHance)耐Zn毒的能力远强于珠芽景天 (S .sarmentosumBunge)、凹叶景天 (S .bulbiferumMakino)和垂盆草 (S .emarginatumMigo) ,其地上部和根系的干物质产量随着Zn浓度的增加而逐渐减少 ;当浓度≤ 40mg·L-1时 ,东南景天的地上部和根系的干物质产量均随Zn浓度的增加而增加 ,其地上部Zn含量、积累量及其Zn运输速率均显著高于珠芽景天、凹叶景天和垂盆草 ;当Zn浓度低于 80mg·L-1时 ,东南景天地上部Zn含量随着营养液中Zn浓度的增加而增加 ,在 80mg·L-1浓度 ,其地上部Zn含量高达 19.0 9mg·g-1。东南景天的地上部Zn含量 /根系Zn含量的比值大于 1,而株芽景天、凹叶景天和垂盆草的地上部Zn含量 /根系Zn含量比值小于 1。东南景天是在我国首次发现的具有生物量大、生长速率快的一种新的Zn超积累植物     

超表达小麦硝态氮转运蛋白基因TaNRT2.1对拟南芥生长及氮吸收的影响

为了阐明小麦硝态氮转运蛋白(nitrate transporters,NRT)TaNRT2.1及辅助蛋白TaNAR2.1的硝态氮转运功能,本研究构建了TaNRT2.1单基因(单超)与TaNRT2.1+TaNAR2.1双基因超表达载体(双超),通过农杆菌介导法转化野生型拟南芥,利用潮霉素筛选与PCR鉴定分别获得了3个单超与2个双超的转基因拟南芥纯合株系。通过研究转基因拟南芥的硝态氮吸收动力学及氮含量发现:在硝态氮浓度1 mmol·L~(-1)时,仅双超能够显著提高拟南芥的硝态氮吸收速率;硝态氮浓度1 mmol·L~(-1)时,不论单超还是双超均不能提高拟南芥的硝态氮吸收速率。低氮(0.1 mmol·L~(-1) NO_3~-)条件下,2种转基因拟南芥的生长状况和氮吸收与野生型相比均无显著差异;而在高氮(10 mmol·L~(-1) NO_3~-)条件下,单超提高了拟南芥的角果重和植株生物量,双超则显著提高了拟南芥的生物量、根系生长和总吸氮量。这些结果表明,TaNRT2.1转运蛋白需与辅助蛋白TaNAR2.1联合才能调控拟南芥对硝态氮的转运。     

不同氮效率水稻品种根系生理生态指标的差异

以氮素利用效率差异大的两个水稻品种(氮高效品种南光和氮低效品种Elio)作为试验材料,设计高低两个供氮水平,在温室砂培条件下研究了不同氮效率水稻高效吸收利用氮素的根系生物学特性及生理机制.结果表明,在两个供氮水平下,氮高效水稻南光的产量均显著大于氮低效水稻,增幅在50%以上.随着供氮水平的提高,两个水稻品种植株的总吸氮量和干物质量随之增加,氮高效水稻南光的生育后期吸氮量和地上部及根系的生物量显著高于氮低效水稻Elio;氮高效水稻品种南光根系形态参数对氮素营养的响应度高于氮低效品种Elio,高氮处理下,南光较低氮处理分别增加127%(总根长)和114%(根系表面积),而Elio仅增加92%(总根长)和82%(根系表面积),而且Elio在齐穗期后根系形态参数水平下降显著;南光的根系伤流强度在拔节期较氮低效水稻Elio高出11%(1mmol L-1)和32%(5mmol L-1),灌浆期南光较Elio高出12%(1mmol L-1)和12%(5mmol L-1),差异均显著.由本试验结果可推断根系形态及根系活力的差异是造成水稻氮效率差异的重要原因之一.     

不同浓度硝态氮供应下小麦生长、硝态氮累积及根系钙信号特征

以小麦品种‘石麦15’和‘衡观35’为材料进行营养液水培试验,研究不同浓度硝态氮供应对小麦苗期根系形态、钙离子流特征及钙调蛋白(CaM)含量的影响。结果表明,与适宜浓度硝态氮处理(2.5mmol/L)相比,无外源硝态氮供应时小麦地上部鲜重、硝态氮含量均降低,侧根数量显著减少;高浓度硝态氮处理(50mmol/L)下两个小麦品种地上部硝态氮含量升高,根系总长度降低,‘石麦15’侧根数量减少。无硝态氮和高浓度硝态氮处理下,根系中钙调蛋白含量降低,且‘衡观35’的降低幅度大于‘石麦15’。无外源硝态氮供应时小麦根尖表现出较为明显的钙离子外流特征;与适宜浓度硝态氮处理相比,高硝态氮处理下小麦根尖Ca2+的内流速度显著下降。说明硝态氮供应不足和高浓度硝态氮供应会影响小麦根系生长,根系Ca2+外流或Ca2+内流速度下降,CaM含量减少,Ca2+/CaM可能介导硝态氮调控小麦根系生长发育。     

2,4-二叔丁基苯酚对番茄叶霉病及幼苗生长的影响

采用室内试验和田间试验相结合方式,研究了不同浓度(0、0.01、0.05、0.10、0.50和1.00 mmol·L-1)2,4-二叔丁基苯酚对番茄叶霉菌及番茄种子萌发幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:2,4-二叔丁基苯酚在叶霉菌培养的前阶段极显著地抑制了菌丝的生长,培养7d时,0.1 mmol· L-1的抑制作用最大,抑制率为40％;在田间抗病性调查期间各浓度处理均提高了番茄幼苗的抗病性,其中以0.1 mmol· L-1处理抗病性最好,病情指数比对照降低了54％;低浓度2,4-二叔丁基苯酚促进了番茄种子的萌发,增加了幼苗的株高、茎粗、地上和地下部鲜质量、叶绿素含量、根系活力和幼苗体内保护酶活性,随着浓度增大,促进作用减弱甚至表现出抑制作用;而低浓度的2,4-二叔丁基苯酚降低了叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量和细胞相对电导率,且随浓度增加作用强度增大;浓度为0.1 mmol·L-1时,抑制作用最强.综合分析表明,2,4-二叔丁基苯酚对番茄植株及叶霉病具有调控作用,可以确定0.1mmol·L-1为田间施加最适浓度.     

Uptake of glycine by non-mycorrhizal Lolium perenne.

Plants of Lolium perenne were grown in sterile solution culture. 15N-labelled glycine (Gly) coupled with gas chromatograph mass spectrometry was used to prove that non-mycorrhizal plants of L. perenne are capable of acquiring N in the form of intact Gly. It was estimated that a minimum of 80% of Gly-N uptake, over a 3 h period, was as intact Gly, though possible processes resulting in deviation from this estimate are discussed. The relative incorporation of 15N derived from Gly uptake into serine (Ser) compared with other amino acids in the root amino acid pool suggested the enzyme serine:glyoxylate aminotransferase was at least partly responsible for the synthesis of Ser from Gly. Defoliation was shown to reduce Gly uptake by L. perenne. The addition of either 25 mol x m(-3) sucrose or 50 mol x m(-3) glucose to the uptake solution of defoliated plants increased Gly-N uptake compared with both defoliated plants without sugars and with undefoliated plants. Addition of a glucose analogue, 3-O-methyl-D-glucopyranose, that is absorbed but not metabolized by plants, did not affect Gly uptake by defoliated plants. Increasing pH from 3.5 to 9.2 caused a reduction in Gly uptake. Results of the effects of defoliation and pH are consistent with Gly uptake by L. perenne being by an energy-dependent proton symport. When either or Gly were supplied to plants at equimolar concentrations, uptake was five times greater than that of Gly at pH 6 and 13 times greater at pH 9.     

氮素形态对小白菜生长和碳氮积累的影响

水培条件下,研究不同氮素形态(硝态氮、铵态氮、甘氨酸、谷氨酰胺、丙氨酸、牛血清蛋白,以及甘氨酸与硝态氮、牛血清蛋白与硝态氮的混合氮源)对小白菜生长和碳氮积累的影响.结果表明:不同氮素形态对小白菜质量、碳氮积累量、可溶性蛋白质含量、可溶性糖含量和游离氨基酸含量的影响不同;硝态氮处理下小白菜地上部分和根的干质量与鲜质量均最大;甘氨酸对小白菜根系的生长及碳氮积累具有明显的促进作用;在3种氨基酸中,谷氨酰胺更有利于小白菜地上部分的生长和氮积累.聚类分析表明,9种氮素形态处理按营养效应大小分为:硝态氮、谷氨酰胺＞甘氨酸与硝态氮混合氮源、牛血清蛋白与硝态氮混合氮源、甘氨酸、铵态氮＞丙氨酸、牛血清蛋白、对照.有机氮源可以作为小白菜生长的氮源,不同的氮素形态对植物产生的生理效应不同.     

Prolonged root hypoxia effects on enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation pathway in tomato plants

In order to investigate the effects of root hypoxia (1–2% oxygen) on the nitrogen (N) metabolism of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Micro-Tom), a range of N compounds and N-assimilating enzymes were performed on roots and leaves of plants submitted to root hypoxia at the second leaf stage for three weeks. Obtained results showed that root hypoxia led to a significant decrease in dry weight (DW) production and nitrate content in roots and leaves. Conversely, shoot to root DW ratio and nitrite content were significantly increased. Contrary to that in leaves, glutamine synthetase activity was significantly enhanced in roots. The activities of nitrate and nitrite reductase were enhanced in roots as well as leaves. The higher increase in the NH₄⁺ content and in the protease activities in roots and leaves of hypoxically treated plants coincide with a greater decrease in soluble protein contents. Taken together, these results suggest that root hypoxia leaded to higher protein degradation. The hypoxia-induced increase in the aminating glutamate dehydrogenase activity may be considered as an alternative N assimilation pathway involved in detoxifying the NH₄⁺, accumulated under hypoxic conditions. With respect to hypoxic stress, the distinct sensitivity of the enzymes involved in N assimilation is discussed.Key words: tomato, hypoxia, nitrogen, glutamine synthetase, protease, glutamate dehydrogenase     

大气CO2浓度升高对红桦幼苗根系的影响

应用封闭式生长室系统,研究了CO2浓度升高对红桦(Betula albosinensis)幼苗的根/冠、粗根和细根的干质量、非结构性碳水化合物类含量、碳含量和碳/氮、氮和磷的含量及氮磷吸收量的影响。结果表明:CO2浓度升高使红桦幼苗粗根和细根的干质量增加,同时根/冠值显著升高,表明CO2浓度升高使红桦幼苗生物量向根系的分配增加;与对照相比,粗根的还原糖、蔗糖和总可溶性糖含量显著增加,而在细根中没有显著变化;粗根、细根的淀粉和总的非结构性碳水化合物含量显著增加;CO2浓度升高下粗根和细根的碳含量有升高的趋势但未达到显著水平,同时氮含量降低,碳/氮值升高;氮的吸收量在粗根和细根中均无显著变化。上述结果表明,CO2浓度升高下红桦幼苗根系氮含量下降是由非结构性碳水化合物(主要是淀粉)含量升高和(或)根系生物量增加产生的稀释效应引起的。     

Synthesis of Iron-Amino Acid Chelates and Evaluation of Their Efficacy as Iron Source and Growth Stimulator for Tomato in Nutrient Solution Culture

Supplying a sufficient amount of available iron (Fe) for plant growth in hydroponic nutrient solutions is a great challenge. The chelators commonly used to supply Fe in nutrient solutions have several disadvantages and may negatively affect plant growth. In this research study we have synthesized certain Fe-amino acid chelates, including Fe-arginine [Fe(Arg)₂], Fe-glycine [Fe(Gly)₂], and Fe-histidine [Fe(His)₂], and evaluated their efficacy as an Fe source for two tomato cultivars (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cvs. ‘Rani’ and ‘Sarika’) grown in nutrient solution. Application of Fe-amino acid chelates significantly increased root and shoot dry matter yield of both tomato cultivars compared with Fe-EDTA. Tomato plants supplied with Fe-amino acid chelates also accumulated significantly higher levels of Fe, Zn, and N in their roots and shoots compared with those supplied with Fe-EDTA. In ‘Sarika’, the effect of Fe-amino acid chelates on shoot Fe content was in the order Fe(His)₂?>?Fe(Gly)₂?>?Fe(Arg)₂. In ‘Rani’, the addition of all synthesized Fe-amino acid chelates significantly increased activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in comparison with Fe-EDTA, whereas in ‘Sarika’, only Fe(His)₂ increased shoot APX activity. The results obtained indicated that using Fe-amino acid chelates in the nutrient solution could supply a sufficient amount of Fe for plant uptake and also improve root and shoot growth of tomato plants, although this increase was cultivar-dependent. According to the results, Fe-amino acid chelates can be used as an alternative for Fe-EDTA to supply Fe in nutrient solutions.     

Controls of biomass partitioning between roots and shoots: Atmospheric CO2 enrichment and the acquisition and allocation of carbon and nitrogen in wild radish

Summary The effects of CO₂ enrichment on plant growth, carbon and nitrogen acquisition and resource allocation were investigated in order to examine several hypotheses about the mechanisms that govern dry matter partitioning between shoots and roots. Wild radish plants (Raphanus sativus × raphanistrum) were grown for 25 d under three different atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (200 ppm, 330 ppm and 600 ppm) with a stable hydroponic 150 mol 1^–1 nitrate supply. Radish biomass accumulation, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, nitrogen per unit leaf area, and starch and soluble sugar levels in leaves increased with increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration, whereas specific leaf area and nitrogen concentration of leaves significantly decreased. Despite substantial changes in radish growth, resource acquisition and resource partitioning, the rate at which leaves accumulated starch over the course of the light period and the partitioning of biomass between roots and shoots were not affected by CO₂ treatment. This phenomenon was consistent with the hypothesis that root/shoot partitioning is related to the daily rate of starch accumulation by leaves during the photoperiod, but is inconsistent with hypotheses suggesting that root/shoot partitioning is controlled by some aspect of plant C/N balance.     

Response of Fine Root Carbohydrate Content to Soil Nitrogen Addition and Its Relationship with Soil Factors in a Schrenk (Picea schrenkiana) Forest

Fine roots are vital for water and nutrient uptake in plants. Understanding the responses of metabolic traits to changing environmental conditions is critical, but little is known. In this study, the carbohydrate content of fine roots was characterized for six soil layers and three diameter classes in a Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana) forest on the Tianshan Mountains of China. Soil nitrogen addition can influence carbohydrate content, but the degree is related to soil layer and fine root diameter. Specifically, as nitrogen (N) levels increased, the soluble sugar, cellulose, lignin and structural carbohydrate content (SC) all increased and then decreased; the starch and non-structural carbohydrate content (NSC) decreased gradually. In addition, N addition had significant effects on starch and cellulose content, as well as total carbohydrates. The interaction between root diameter and N addition also influenced soluble sugars, cellulose and NSC, while the three-way interaction among N addition, soil layer and diameter only affected cellulose content and NSC/SC. In the control treatment (no nitrogen addition), the following soil factors influenced fine root metabolism in order of decreasing importance: C:N, C:P, N:P, C, N, water content, bulk density, pH, conductivity, and P. In the N addition treatments, the soil conductivity, pH, and N content were strongly correlated with root metabolic characteristics.

     

Maximal biomass production can occur in corn (Zea mays) in the absence of NO3 accumulation in either leaves or roots

In order to investigate effects of limited NO₃ availability in corn ( Zea mays L. cv. Brulouis) 17-day-old plants were grown for a further 25 days on sand in a growth chamber. The plants received frequent irrigation with a complete nutrient solution containing 0.2, 0.6, 1.5 or 3.0 mM NO₃. With 0.2 mM NO; nitrate levels in both roots and leaves diminished rapidly and were almost zero after 10 days treatment. Concurrently, as signs of nitrogen deficiency appeared, shoot growth was restricted, whereas root growth was enhanced. In addition, the concentration of reduced nitrogen and malate in the leaves declined, and in vitro nitrate reductase activity (NRA. EC 1.6.6.1), soluble protein and chlorophyll levels of leaf tissue were depressed and starch concentration was enhanced. With 0.6 mM NO₃ in the nutrient solution, the decrease in NO₃ levels in the tissues and the increase in root development were similar to those observed with 0.2 mM NO₃. However, shoot growth, reduced nitrogen concentration in leaves, and the above-mentioned biochemical characteristics were almost identical to those obtained at 1.5 and 3.0 mM NO₃. This indicates that when supplied with 0.6 mM NO₃, corn plants were able to absorb sufficient NO3 to support maximal biomass production without appreciable NO₃ accumulation in roots or shoot. It is, thus, suggested that the plants responded to low NO₃, availability in medium by enhancing root growth and by maximizing NO₃ reduction relative to NO₃ accumulation.     

Cluster Roots of Leucadendron laureolum (Proteaceae) and Lupinus albus (Fabaceae) Take Up Glycine Intact: An Adaptive Strategy to Low Mineral Nitrogen in Soils?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: South African soils are not only low in phosphorus (P) but most nitrogen (N) is in organic form, and soil amino acid concentrations can reach 2.6 g kg(-1) soil. The Proteaceae (a main component of the South African Fynbos vegetation) and some Fabaceae produce cluster roots in response to low soil phosphorus. The ability of these roots to acquire the amino acid glycine (Gly) was assessed. METHODS: Uptake of organic N as 13C-15N-Gly was determined in cluster roots and non-cluster roots of Leucadendron laureolum (Proteaceae) and Lupinus albus (Fabaceae) in hydroponic culture, taking account of respiratory loss of 13CO2. KEY RESULTS: Both plant species acquired doubly labelled (intact) Gly, and respiratory losses of 13CO2 were small. Lupin (but not leucadendron) acquired more intact Gly when cluster roots were supplied with 13C-15N-Gly than when non-cluster roots were supplied. After treatment with labelled Gly (13C : 15N ratio = 1), lupin cluster roots had a 13C : 15N ratio of about 0.85 compared with 0.59 in labelled non-cluster roots. Rates of uptake of label from Gly did not differ between cluster and non-cluster roots of either species. The ratio of C : N and 13C : 15N in the plant increased in the order: labelled roots < rest of the root < shoot in both species, owing to an increasing proportion of 13C translocation. CONCLUSIONS: Cluster roots of lupin specifically acquired more intact Gly than non-cluster roots, whereas Gly uptake by the cluster and non-cluster roots of leucadendron was comparable. The uptake capacities of cluster roots are discussed in relation to spatial and morphological characteristics in the natural environment.     

Tomato Growth in Soil Amended with Sugar Mill By-Products Compost

Sugar mill by-products compost may be a good soil amendment to promote tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth. In addition, the compost may further promote plant growth by inoculation with N₂-fixing bacteria. Compost from sugar-mill waste was prepared with and without the N₂-fixing bacteria, Azotobacter vinelandii, Beijerinckia derxii and Azospirillum sp. and incubated for 50 days. Each compost type was added to 10 kg of soil in pots at rates of 0, 15, and 45 g with and without fertilizer N at rates of 0, 0.75, and 1.54 g. A blanket application of P and K was applied to all pots. Shoot and root dry weights and N content of the whole plant was measured at 55 days. Dry weight of tomato shoots was increased by 40% by addition of fertilizer N and root weight was increased by 66%. Without fertilizer N the high rate of inoculated compost increased shoot growth 180% and uninoculated compost increased shoot growth 112%. For most treatments with and without fertilizer N, inoculated compost enhanced shoot growth and nitrogen content more than uninoculated compost. Root weights were nearly doubled by addition of either compost in comparison to the 0 N treatment. At the low rate of compost addition without fertilizer N, root weight was the same for uninoculated and inoculated compost but at the high rate of compost addition root weight was 32% higher for inoculated compost. The N₂-fixing bacteria colonized roots when inoculated compost was used. Sugar mill by-products compost proved to be an effective soil amendment for promoting the growth of tomato plants.