大气CO2浓度升高和氮添加对镉污染下两种树木叶片元素含量及回收率的影响

选择造林树种大叶相思(Acacia auriculiformis)和樟树(Cinnamomum camphora)为对象,采用开顶生长箱(open-top chamber,OTC)构建实验林,探讨镉(Cd)胁迫及其与大气CO2浓度升高、氮(N)添加的复合作用对2种树木叶片N、P养分利用策略和Cd积累特征的影响。试验设5个处理：对照(CK)、加Cd[10 kg Cd/(hm²·a)](Cd)、加Cd与加CO2 (700μmol/mol)(Cd C)、加Cd与加N[100 kg N/(hm²·a)](Cd N)、加Cd加CO₂加N (Cd CN)。处理约2.5 a后,测定两树种的成熟叶和衰老叶中N、磷(P)和Cd含量。结果表明,不同处理对两树种叶片P含量及P回收率均无显著影响,但显著影响叶片N含量及N回收率;Cd N处理下两树种叶片N含量升高;Cd和Cd N处理下樟树叶N回收率显著降低。Cd、Cd C、Cd N和Cd CN处理下两树种叶片Cd积累浓度及樟树成熟叶中的Cd/N和Cd/P升高。大叶相思叶片N、P回收率显著高于樟树...     

大气CO2浓度及温度升高对高山灌木鬼箭锦鸡儿(Caragana jubata)生长及抗氧化系统的影响

以CO_2浓度及温度升高为主要标志的全球气候变化将对我国西北地区脆弱的生态系统产生重要影响。利用环境控制实验研究CO_2浓度倍增(eCO_2, C_1:400μmol/mol和C_2:800μmol/mol)和温度升高(eT, T_1:20℃/10℃和T_2:23℃/13℃)对高山灌木鬼箭锦鸡儿(Caragana jubata)生长及抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明:eCO_2和eT表现出相反的生长和生理效应,eT对幼苗生长的影响要大于eCO_2对其的影响。eT使幼苗的总生物量、净光合速率(NAR)和相对生长速率(RGR)降低;但可促进地上部分生长,叶生物量比及叶面积比增加。eCO_2可减缓或补偿由eT引起的总生物量、NAR和RGR的降低,并促进地下部分生长。对抗氧化系统来说,eT使得超氧化歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性降低,还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和抗坏血酸(ASA)含量降低;eCO_2只增加常温下SOD酶活性,并使GSH、ASA整体水平提高。结论:温度升高和CO_2浓度倍增没有协同促进鬼箭锦鸡儿幼苗的生长和光合能力。温度升高将对幼苗生长和抗氧化系统产生不利影响,eCO_2可促进生长并可能通过抗氧剂含量增加来缓解氧化胁迫。因此,未来气候变化,尤其是温度升高将会对高寒区植物产生较大影响,CO_2浓度增加可缓解增温的不利影响。     

铜镉污染土壤上CO2浓度升高对籼稻稻米品质的影响

采用盆栽试验,利用开顶式气室(Open Top Chamber,OTC)研究了5个籼稻品种在高、低铜镉复合污染土壤上,CO2浓度升高对水稻生长及吸收Cu、Cd和矿质元素Fe、Zn、Ca、Mn的影响,并对稻米中Cd的安全性进行了评价,了解Cd污染对人类健康的潜在风险。结果表明:CO2浓度升高,显著降低了低复合污染土壤上稻米的生物量,而显著增加了高复合污染土壤上的稻米生物量。CO2浓度升高降低了低污染土壤上稻米Cu含量,降低幅度为4.75%—24.49%,增加了高污染土壤上稻米Cu含量,增加幅度为6.60%—40.37%;而稻米Cu的总吸收量在低、高复合污染土壤上均是降低的。低、高复合污染土壤上,CO2浓度升高显著降低了三香优974稻米的Cd含量和吸收量;增加了其他4个品种稻米Cd含量和吸收量。CO2浓度升高对不同品种稻米中Fe、Zn、Ca、Mn含量影响存在显著差异。CO2浓度正常、升高条件下,两种污染土壤上金优463稻米中Cd含量超过食品卫生标准(Cd≤0.2mg/kg),三香优974在正常CO2浓度条件下其稻米Cd含量超过食品卫生标准。在低、高复合污染土壤上,金优463和三香优974稻米中Cd的THQ值均大于1,说明对人体暴露接触的潜在风险比较严重。CO2浓度升高显著降低了三香优974稻米中Cd对人体暴露接触的潜在风险,而对其他4个水稻品种稻米Cd的THQ值影响不明显。     

模拟CO2浓度升高和降雨量变化对红砂生物量分配及碳氮特征的影响

以荒漠优势植物红砂2年生苗木为试材,采用盆栽试验和开顶式CO_2控制气室模拟CO_2浓度变化(350μmol/mol和700μmol/mol)研究了红砂生物量分配及碳氮特征对降水变化减少30%、减少15%、自然降水、增加15%和增加30%(-30%、-15%、0、15%、30%)的响应。结果表明:(1)CO_2浓度上升显著性的促进红砂地上茎叶和地下的根生物量,降雨量增加或减少也显著性的促进或抑制了这一作用;CO_2倍增时,红砂的地上生物量在降水增加30%时平均增加了61.28%(P0.05),而根生物量在降水增加或减少30%时均分别增加了84%(30%)和3.21%(-30%),这种响应导致红砂根冠比在降水减少时大于降雨量增加时,CO_2倍增显著地抑制了这一作用。(2)CO_2浓度上升显著性地促进了红砂根、茎、叶中的碳含量,显著性地抑制了红砂根、茎、叶中氮含量,降雨量增加或减少也显著性的促进或抑制了这一作用;这种响应导致红砂根、茎、叶的C/N在降雨减少30%时增加80.22%(根)、103.02%(茎)和199.88%(叶)(P0.05),在降雨增加30%时增加24.99%(根)、30.27%(茎0)和104.45%(叶)(P0.05),CO_2浓度倍增显著性地促进了这一作用。(3)以上结果表明,未来全球CO_2浓度升高时,在降雨量增加地区红砂因充足的碳源和水分而得以恢复;在降雨减少的地区,CO_2的升高对降雨减少造成的干旱胁迫有一定的补偿作用,红砂则以较高的根冠比来维持其在荒漠生态系统中地位。     

铜对大叶相思-根瘤菌共生固氮体系的影响

报道了两种根瘤菌 (大叶相思、美丽胡枝子 )对Cu2 + 的耐受性以及植物 根瘤菌共生固氮体系在Cu2 + 胁迫下结瘤、固氮和生长的变化 ,讨论了大叶相思在矿山尾矿废弃地作为先锋植物结瘤固氮的可能性 .结果表明 ,大叶相思根瘤菌对Cu2 + 离子的耐受性较强 ,可以耐受Cu2 + <0 80mmol的离子浓度 ,Cu2 +对它的半致死浓度为 0 12 9mmol.在无菌砂培无重金属影响条件下 ,其固氮酶活性为 2 7C2 H4 ·μg·g-1·h-1,当Cu2 + >0 12 5mmol会导致大叶相思固氮酶活性急剧下降 ,其有效半抑制浓度 (EC50 )为0 15 1mmol,Cu2 + 为 0 5 0mmol完色抑制大叶相思固氮酶活性 ,不阻碍结瘤 ,但严重抑制植物生长发育 ,引起植物叶片白化、植株矮化 .在外加N源不接菌和不加N源接菌两种处理组间 ,Cu2 + <0 12 5mmol时 ,以不加N接菌处理对大叶相思生长有利 .大叶相思对Cu2 + 吸收积累根部高于地上组织 .     

内蒙古地带性针茅植物对CO2和气候变化的适应性研究进展

收集了1992—2013年关于模拟CO2浓度升高及气候变化(温度升高、降水变化)对内蒙古地带性草原群落的5个建群种针茅植物(贝加尔针茅、本氏针茅、大针茅、克氏针茅、短花针茅)影响的实验研究结果表明,模拟CO2浓度升高、增温和增雨将提高针茅植物的光合作用和株高生长,但CO2处理时间延长会导致光合适应;温度和降雨变化将改变针茅植物的物候进程,但物种之间反应有差异;CO2浓度升高有助于针茅植物生物量增加,增温和干旱则相反,CO2浓度升高对干旱的影响具有补偿作用;干旱和涝渍胁迫将提高针茅植物植株C/N,CO2浓度升高将加剧水分胁迫下针茅植物植株C/N的增加效应,导致牧草品质下降。由于当前在适应性指标、针茅植物对气候变化协同作用的适应机理及其敏感性研究等方面存在的不足,导致目前无法全面比较各针茅植物对CO2和温度、降水变化的响应差异及其敏感性,因而无法预测未来在全球变化背景下,这几种针茅植物的动态变化及其在地理分布上的迁移替代规律。为科学应对气候变化,未来应加强内蒙古地带性针茅植物的适应性指标、针茅植物对多因子协同作用的适应机理及敏感性研究。     

一种新发现的镉超积累植物--钻叶紫菀(Aster subulatus Michx.)

通过野外调查和温室营养液砂培试验,发现并鉴定出钻叶紫菀（Aster subulatus Michx.）是一种新的镉（Cd）超积累植物。调查结果发现,钻叶紫菀对土壤中高含量的Cd有很强的忍耐、吸收和积累能力,其地上部茎、叶Cd含量分别为90.0-150.7mg/kg和119.8-172.6mg/kg,平均值分别为132.8mg/kg和139.2mg/kg。砂基营养液培养试验证明,钻叶紫菀对生长介质中的Cd有很强的忍耐能力,当生长介质中Cd浓度高达150mg/L时,植株仍生长正常,其株高与对照相比无显著差异;地上部Cd含量及其积累量均随生长介质中Cd浓度的增加而增加,当生长介质中Cd浓度为120mg/L时,地上部茎Cd含量和积累量达到最高值,分别为5672.50mg/kg、4.93mg/株。结果表明,钻叶紫菀是一种新的Cd超积累植物,为今后探明植物超积累Cd的机理和Cd污染土壤的植物修复提供一种新的种质资源。     

外来入侵植物飞机草和本地植物异叶泽兰对大气CO_2浓度升高的响应

大气CO2浓度升高影响外来植物入侵,研究外来入侵植物和本地植物对大气CO2浓度升高响应的差异,有助于准确预测和管理外来植物入侵。基于封顶式CO2生长室,模拟大气CO2浓度变化(对照和700μmol/mol),比较研究了外来入侵植物飞机草(Chromolaena odorata)和本地植物异叶泽兰(Eupatorium heterophyllum)形态、生长、生物量分配和光合特性对大气CO2浓度升高响应的差异。结果表明:(1)在当前大气CO2浓度下,飞机草总生物量、株高、基径和总叶面积高于异叶泽兰,分枝数低于异叶泽兰;CO2浓度升高,飞机的总生物量、株高、基径、分枝数和总叶面积分别增加了92%、41%、60%、325%和148%,高于异叶泽兰的32%、14%、30%、64%和79%,飞机草生长优势进一步提高。(2)无论在高或低CO2浓度下,飞机草根生物量分数(RMF)都低于异叶泽兰,叶生物量分数(LMF)和茎生物量分数(SMF)都高于异叶泽兰;CO2倍增两种植物RMF均降低,LMF和SMF均升高,但这2个参数对CO2倍增响应的种间差异不显著。(3)无论在高或低CO2浓度下,飞机草和异叶泽兰的净光合速率差异均不显著,CO2倍增对两种植物的净光合速率的促进作用相似。上述结果表明,在未来大气CO2浓度升高的条件下,飞机草的入侵性可能提高,入侵危害将加剧。     

改良剂对酸性土壤上伴矿景天铝毒缓解作用及镉锌吸收性的影响

为探究不同改良剂对酸性土壤铝(Al)胁迫条件下镉(Cd)锌(Zn)超积累植物伴矿景天Sedum plumbizincicola生长以及镉和锌吸取修复效率的影响,分别添加不同种类改良剂(钙镁磷肥(CMP)、MgCO3、KH2PO4)和不同浓度CMP进行温室盆栽试验。结果表明,CMP能够一定程度上提高土壤pH值并降低土壤交换性Al的浓度,MgCO3能够显著提高土壤pH值和降低土壤交换性Al的浓度,KH2PO4能够降低土壤中交换性Al浓度但未改变土壤pH值。施用适量的CMP(9.39 mg/kg)能够提高伴矿景天生物量和Cd、Zn吸取修复效率,用量过高会抑制伴矿景天生长和Cd、Zn修复效率;施用MgCO3可增大伴矿景天生物量和Cd、Zn修复效率,施用KH2PO4反而抑制了伴矿景天生长。酸性土壤上施用适量的CMP和MgCO3能够缓解伴矿景天的铝毒作用,维持较高的重金属吸收效率。     

微生物对植物修复重金属污染土壤的促进效果

以印度芥菜作为超富集植物,通过盆栽试验研究了巨大芽胞杆菌和胶质芽胞杆菌的混合微生物制剂、黑曲霉30177发酵液对植物修复Cd、Pb、Zn污染土壤的作用.结果表明：巨大芽胞杆菌和胶质芽胞杆菌的混合微生物制剂不仅可以促进超富集植物的生长,增强超富集植物对土壤Cd、Pb、Zn的吸收,而且大幅度提高了植物的修复效率,在添加外源可溶性Cd、Pb、Zn的污染土壤上,可分别使印度芥菜提取量(以植物干质量计)提高1.18、1.54和0.85倍,在添加底泥Cd、Pb、Zn污染的土壤上,可分别使印度芥菜提取量提高4.00、0.64和0.65倍,在底泥污染的土壤上的促进效果明显强于外源添加污染的土壤.黑曲霉30177发酵液能显著促进印度芥菜对土壤Cd、Pb、Zn的吸收,在添加外源可溶性Cd、Pb、Zn的污染土壤上,印度芥菜地上部Cd、Pb、Zn的吸收量分别比对照提高了88.82%、129.04%和16.80%;在添加底泥Cd、Pb、Zn污染的土壤上,可分别比对照提高78.95%、113.63%和33.85%;但它可导致印度芥菜生物量的大幅度降低,起不到提高植物修复提取量的效果.经反相高效液相色谱初步分析发现,胶质芽胞杆菌、巨大芽胞杆菌发酵液中含有草酸、柠檬酸等有机酸,有机酸对重金属有一定的溶解作用,从而提高了重金属的生物有效性.     

Interactive effects of elevated CO2 and drought stress on leaf water potential and growth in Caragana intermedia

We studied the responses of leaf water potential (Ψ_w), morphology, biomass accumulation and allocation, and canopy productivity index (CPI) to the combined effects of elevated CO₂ and drought stress in Caragana intermedia seedlings. Seedlings were grown at two CO₂ concentrations (350 and 700 μmol mol⁻¹) interacted with three water regimes (60–70%, 45–55%, and 30–40% of field capacity of soil). Elevated CO₂ significantly increased Ψ_w, decreased specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area ratio (LAR) of drought-stressed seedlings, and increased tree height, basal diameter, shoot biomass, root biomass as well as total biomass under the all the three water regimes. Growth responses to elevated CO₂ were greater in well-watered seedlings than in drought-stressed seedlings. CPI was significantly increased by elevated CO₂, and the increase in CPI became stronger as the level of drought stress increased. There were significant interactions between elevated CO₂ and drought stress on leaf water potential, basal diameter, leaf area, and biomass accumulation. Our results suggest that elevated CO₂ may enhance drought avoidance and improved water relations, thus weakening the effect of drought stress on growth of C. intermedia seedings.     

Elevated CO2 alleviates the effects of low P on the growth of N2-fixing Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium

Nodulated seedlings of Acacia auriculiformis Cunn. ex Benth and Acacia mangium Willd were grown with different phosphorus (P) regimes for 90 days, and half of them were exposed to elevated CO₂ (800 μl l⁻¹) during the last 30 days. Under ambient CO₂, plant growth and the amount of N fixed symbiotically in N₂-fixing seedlings decreased with the decrease of supplied P; this relationship did not occur under elevated CO₂. The increase in plant biomass by elevated CO₂ at low P was accompanied by the increase in internal P use efficiency, the amount of N fixed symbiotically and N use efficiency. Elevated CO₂ recovered the low P-induced reduction in leaf dry matter per unit area or unit fresh weight, but it had no effect on the low P-induced increase in partitioning dry matter to roots. These results suggest that elevated CO₂ alleviates the low P effect mainly by increasing the use efficiency of internal P for plant growth and symbiotic N₂ fixation, and the source-sink relationship is possibly an important driving force for this effect of elevated CO₂ in A. auriculiformis and A. mangium.     

Interactive effects of mycorrhization and elevated carbon dioxide on growth of young pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) trees

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) was germinated and grown at ambient CO₂ level and 650 ppmv CO₂ in the presence and absence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria laccata for a total of 6 month under nutrient non-limiting conditions. Mycorrhization and elevated atmospheric CO₂ each supported the growth of the trees. Stem height, stem diameter, and dry matter accumulation of pedunculate oak were increased by mycorrhization. Elevated atmospheric CO₂ enhanced stem height, stem diameter, fresh weight and dry weight, as well as lateral root formation of the trees. In combination, mycorrhization and elevated atmospheric CO₂ had a more than additive, positive effect on tree height and biomass accumulation, and further improved lateral root formation of the trees. From these findings it is suggested that the efficiency of the roots in supporting the growth of the shoot is increased in mycorrhized oak trees at elevated atmospheric CO₂.Abbreviations DW dry weight - FW fresh weight - RWC relative water content     

Host-specific aphid population responses to elevated CO2 and increased N availability

Sap-feeding insects such as aphids are the only insect herbivores that show positive responses to elevated CO₂. Recent models predict that increased nitrogen will increase aphid population size under elevated CO₂, but few experiments have tested this idea empirically. To determine whether soil nitrogen (N) availability modifies aphid responses to elevated CO₂, we tested the performance of Macrosiphum euphorbiae feeding on two host plants; a C₃ plant (Solanum dulcamara), and a C₄ plant (Amaranthus viridis). We expected aphid population size to increase on plants in elevated CO₂, with the degree of increase depending on the N availability. We found a significant CO₂× N interaction for the response of population size for M. euphorbiae feeding on S. dulcamara: aphids feeding on plants grown in ambient CO₂, low N conditions increased in response to either high N availability or elevated CO₂. No population size responses were observed for aphids infesting A. viridis. Elevated CO₂ increased plant biomass, specific leaf weight, and C : N ratios of the C₃ plant, S. dulcamara but did not affect the C₄ plant, A. viridis. Increased N fertilization significantly increased plant biomass, leaf area, and the weight : height ratio in both experiments. Elevated CO₂ decreased leaf N in S. dulcamara and had no effect on A. viridis, while higher N availability increased leaf N in A. viridis and had no effect in S. dulcamara. Aphid infestation only affected the weight : height ratio of S. dulcamara. We only observed an increase in aphid population size in response to elevated CO₂ or increased N availability for aphids feeding on S. dulcamara grown under low N conditions. There appears to be a maximum population growth rate that M. euphorbiae aphids can attain, and we suggest that this response is because of intrinsic limits on development time and fecundity.     

The effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on the resistance of winter-dormant birch seedlings (Betula pendula) to hares and voles

The effects of elevated CO₂ and temperature on the resource allocation pattern and resistance against mammalian herbivores of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) were studied. Birch seedlings were grown through two growing seasons in closed‐top chambers exposed to four different treatments: ambient CO₂ and temperature, elevated atmospheric CO₂ (700 ppm) and ambient temperature, elevated temperature (+3°C above ambient) and ambient CO₂, and a combination of elevated CO₂ and temperature. After winter hardening of the seedlings, the growth of the seedlings was measured and the concentration of secondary compounds such as phenolics and papyriferic acid determined. The top parts of the stem were fed to hares, and the basal parts of the same stems were offered to voles. Elevated CO₂ increased the height and basal diameter of the shoots, shoot biomass and total biomass of the seedlings but did not have any effect on secondary chemistry. Elevated temperature increased the height and shoot biomass, but did not have a significant effect on the total biomass of the seedlings. Elevated temperature decreased the concentration of condensed tannins and their precursor, (+)‐catechin, in the top part of the stems, but only the concentration of (+)‐catechin in the basal part of the stems. There were no significant interactive effects between CO₂ and temperature on phenolics in the stems, while the concentration of papyriferic acid showed significant interaction in the top part of the stems. This indicates high accumulation of papyriferic acid in ambient CO₂ under increased temperature. Consequently, elevated temperature increased the resistance of birch against hares, but did not affect the resistance of the basal parts of the same birches to voles. Our results indicate that the predicted climatic change will not necessarily lead to increased browsing damage by the mountain hare and the field vole to silver birch.     

Above- and belowground response of Populus grandidentata to elevated atmospheric CO2 and soil N availability

Soil N availability may play an important role in regulating the long-term responses of plants to rising atmospheric CO₂ partial pressure. To further examine the linkage between above- and belowground C and N cycles at elevated CO₂, we grew clonally propagated cuttings of Populus grandidentata in the field at ambient and twice ambient CO₂ in open bottom root boxes filled with organic matter poor native soil. Nitrogen was added to all root boxes at a rate equivalent to net N mineralization in local dry oak forests. Nitrogen added during August was enriched with ¹⁵N to trace the flux of N within the plant-soil system. Above-and belowground growth, CO₂ assimilation, and leaf N content were measured non-destructively over 142 d. After final destructive harvest, roots, stems, and leaves were analyzed for total N and ¹⁵N. There was no CO₂ treatment effect on leaf area, root length, or net assimilation prior to the completion of N addition. Following the N addition, leaf N content increased in both CO₂ treatments, but net assimilation showed a sustained increase only in elevated CO₂ grown plants. Root relative extension rate was greater at elevated CO₂, both before and after the N addition. Although final root biomass was greater at elevated CO₂, there was no CO₂ effect on plant N uptake or allocation. While low soil N availability severely inhibited CO₂ responses, high CO₂ grown plants were more responsive to N. This differential behavior must be considered in light of the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of soil resources, particularly N which often limits plant growth in temperate forests.     

Responses of a C3 and a C4 perennial grass to elevated CO2 and temperature under different water regimes

An experiment was carried out to determine the effects of elevated CO₂, elevated temperatures, and altered water regimes in native shortgrass steppe. Intact soil cores dominated by Bouteloua gracilis, a C₄ perennial grass, or Pascopyrum smithii, a C₃ perennial grass, were placed in growth chambers with 350 or 700 μL L^?1 atmospheric CO₂, and under either normal or elevated temperatures. The normal regime mimicked field patterns of diurnal and seasonal temperatures, and the high-temperature regime was 4 °C warmer. Water was supplied at three different levels in a seasonal pattern similar to that observed in the field. Total biomass after two growing seasons was 19% greater under elevated CO₂, with no significant difference between the C₃ and C₄ grass. The effect of elevated CO₂ on biomass was greatest at the intermediate water level. The positive effect of elevated CO₂ on shoot biomass was greater at normal temperatures in B. gracilis, and greater at elevated temperatures in P. smithii. Neither root-to-shoot ratio nor production of seed heads was affected by elevated CO₂. Plant tissue N and soil inorganic N concentrations were lower under elevated Co₂, but no more so in the C₃ than the C₄ plant. Elevated CO₂ appeared to increase plant N limitation, but there was no strong evidence for an increase in N limitation or a decrease in the size of the CO₂ effect from the first to the second growing season. Autumn samples of large roots plus crowns, the perennial organs, had 11% greater total N under elevated CO₂, in spite of greater N limitation.     

Competition for nitrogen between Pinus sylvestris and ectomycorrhizal fungi generates potential for negative feedback under elevated CO2

We investigated fungal species-specific responses of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings on growth and nutrient acquisition together with mycelial development under ambient and elevated CO₂. Each seedling was associated with one of the following ECM species: Hebeloma cylindrosporum, Laccaria bicolor, Suillus bovinus, S. luteus, Piloderma croceum, Paxillus involutus, Boletus badius, or non-mycorrhizal, under ambient, and elevated CO₂ (350 or 700 μl l⁻¹ CO₂); each treatment contained six replicates. The trial lasted 156 days. During the final 28 days, the seedlings were labeled with ¹⁴CO₂. We measured hyphal length, plant biomass, ¹⁴C allocation, and plant nitrogen and phosphorus concentration. Almost all parameters were significantly affected by fungal species and/or CO₂. There were very few significant interactions. Elevated CO₂ decreased shoot-to-root ratio, most strongly so in species with the largest extraradical mycelium. Under elevated CO₂, ECM root growth increased significantly more than hyphal growth. Extraradical hyphal length was significantly negatively correlated with shoot biomass, shoot N content, and total plant N uptake. Root dry weight was significantly negatively correlated with root N and P concentration. Fungal sink strength for N strongly affected plant growth through N immobilization. Mycorrhizal fungal-induced progressive nitrogen limitation (PNL) has the potential to generate negative feedback with plant growth under elevated CO₂. Responsible Editor: Herbert Johannes Kronzucker     

Long-term response of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) to CO2 enrichment and nitrogen supply. I. Growth,biomass allocation and physiology

ABSTRACT

After a 3-year exposure to elevated CO₂, young trees of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) were planted in native, nutrient-deficient forest soil and grown for two more years with three CO₂ treatments in open-top chambers, and with two nutrient treatments (with and without supplied N). Elevated CO₂ resulted in larger fresh mass, dry mass, leaf area and leaf thickness in two-year old needles, but had no effect on one-year old and current needles. Tree height, basal diameter and biomass production also increased, regardless of N supply. In trees without added N, elevated CO₂ resulted in higher root-to-shoot and absorbing roots-to-stump ratios. Regardless of N supply, trees grown in elevated CO₂ had lower photosynthetic rates on a leaf area basis. Photosynthesis reduction was accompanied by a decline in Rubisco activity and leaf N concentration. Under elevated CO₂, added N elevated photosynthesis and Rubisco activity, suggesting a dependence on N availability of the photosynthetic response to elevated CO₂. Stomatal conductance of trees grown with added N decreased in response to elevated CO₂. This may account for the larger reduction in intercellular CO₂ concentration, and hence photosynthesis, in the trees supplied with N than in those without N supply.     

Nitrate influx kinetic parameters of five potato cultivars during vegetative growth

This study examines the effect of elevated CO₂ on short-term partitioning of inorganic N between a grass and soil micro-organisms. ¹⁵N-labelled NH₄⁺ was injected in the soil of mesocosms of Holcus lanatus (L.) that had been grown for more than 15 months at ambient or elevated CO₂ in reconstituted grassland soil. After 48 h, the percentage recovery of added ¹⁵N was increased in soil microbial biomass N at elevated CO₂, was unchanged in total plant N and was decreased in soil extractable N. However, plant N content and microbial biomass N were not significantly affected by elevated CO₂. These results and literature data from plant–microbial ¹⁵N partitioning experiments at elevated CO₂ suggest that the mechanisms controlling the effects of CO₂ on short- vs. long-term N uptake and turnover differ. In particular, short-term immobilisation of added N by soil micro-organisms at elevated CO₂ does not appear to lead to long-term increases in N in soil microbial biomass. In addition, the increased soil microbial C:N ratios that we observed at elevated CO₂ suggest that long-term exposure to CO₂ alters either the functioning or structure of these microbial communities.