黄淮海平原玉米施氮量对后茬小麦土壤剖面硝态氮和产量的影响

在冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟模式下,玉米品种“郑单958”（植株密度9株/m^2）和小麦品种“93-9”（基本苗704株/m^2）,冬小麦基施144kg N/hm^2,研究了玉米5个施N量（0、90、180、270和360kg/hm^2）对后茬小麦期间土壤剖面硝态氮含量、无机氮总量,以及小麦氮素吸收利用和产量的影响.结果表明：（1）与不施氮相比,玉米施氮显著增加小麦季0～200cm土壤硝态氮含量;自拔节起,0～40cm、0～130cm和0～200cm硝态氮含量均随施氮量增加而递增,在硝态氮含量较高的小区增幅也大.（2）轮作一周期后,不施氮和施氮360kg/hm^2显著影响0～130cm和0～200cm无机氮总量,但在90～270 kg/hm^2之间,施氮量的影响不明显.（3）施氮小于180kg/hm^2时,成熟期小麦植株氮素和籽粒氮素积累量、氮肥利用率均随施氮量增加而递增,但不明显.（4）与不施氮相比,施氮90kg/hm^2的小麦产量和麦玉轮作总产均增加但不明显,施氮180 kg/hm^2均显著增加,施氮270kg/hm^2与180kg/hm^2无明显差异.本试验条件下,夏玉米施氮90～180 kg/hm^2是适宜的.     

华北地区夏玉米土壤硝态氮的时空动态与残留

为了进一步明确华北地区冬小麦-夏玉米种植体系周年氮肥利用效率及其影响因素与机制,在试验区夏玉米生育期年均降雨量400mm左右,轻壤质底粘潮土中等土壤肥力条件下,通过设计不同施氮量(0、90、180、270kgN/hm2)处理,重点研究了夏玉米大田土壤硝态氮动态与残留积累情况。试验结果表明,夏玉米根系生物量最大值出现在吐丝期,最大根系分布深度约为1.2m。根干重密度(g/m3)随土壤深度增加而明显降低。根群主要分布在表土层,0～80cm土体根重比例达95%以上,1m以下根重比例不足1%。土壤硝态氮测定表明,从播种前到收获期,各施氮量处理(0、90、180、270kgN/hm2)2m土体土壤硝态氮平均含量均表现出“N”型曲线变化趋势。在玉米收获期,施氮处理(90～270kgN/hm2)2m土体均有明显的硝态氮残留积累,并且残留积累量随着施氮量增加而增大,施氮处理下层土壤(120～200cm)硝态氮残留积累量比不施氮处理高出50.4～95.4kgNO3-N/hm2。这说明,在玉米生育期降水影响下氮肥发生了淋溶,有部分氮肥已经向下移出玉米根区以外,积累在下层土壤中。这些残留积累在下层土壤中的硝态氮对于玉米来说很难被吸收利用,不仅降低了氮肥的利用率,也成为污染地下水的潜在隐患。分析表明,各施氮处理籽粒产量和植株吸氮量都显著大于不施氮处理,但施氮处理之间比较,籽粒产量和植株吸氮量并无显著差异。90kgN/hm2、180kgN/hm2和270kgN/hm2施氮处理下,氮肥表观利用率分别为11.52%、13.37%、9.93%。根据本研究结果,从小麦-玉米种植体系考虑,玉米根区以下残留积累氮素的回收利用是提高周年氮肥利用率的一个重要方面,值得进一步研究。     

灌溉量和施氮量对冬小麦产量和土壤硝态氮含量的影响

研究了大田条件下灌溉量和施氮量对小麦产量和土壤硝态氮含量的影响.结果表明:增加灌溉量,0～200 cm土层硝态氮含量呈先降后升又降的趋势.0～80 cm土层硝态氮含量显著低于对照,而80～200 cm土层硝态氮含量显著高于对照.随灌溉量的增加,土壤硝态氮向深层运移加剧,在成熟期,0～80 cm土层硝态氮含量降低,120～200 cm土层硝态氮含量升高,并在120～140 cm土层硝态氮含量出现高峰.灌溉量不变,施氮量由210 kg·hm-2增加到300 kg·hm-2,开花期、灌浆期、成熟期0～200 cm各土层土壤硝态氮含量显著升高.随灌溉量的增加,小麦籽粒产量先增加后降低,以全生育期灌溉量为60 mm的处理籽粒产量最高.增加施氮量,籽粒产量、蛋白质含量和蛋白质产量显著提高.本试验中,施氮量为210 kg.hm-2、两次灌溉总量为60 mm的处理籽粒产量、蛋白质含量、蛋白质产量和收获指数均较高,且土壤硝态氮损失少,是较合理的水氮运筹模式.     

不同土壤肥力条件下施氮量对小麦氮肥利用和土壤硝态氮含量的影响

在土壤肥力不同的两块高产田上,利用15N示踪技术,研究了高产条件下施氮量对冬小麦氮肥吸收利用、籽粒产量和品质的影响,及小麦生育期间土壤硝态氮含量的变化.结果表明：1.成熟期小麦植株积累的氮素73.32%～87.27%来自土壤,4.51%～9.40%来自基施氮肥,8.22%～17.28%来自追施氮肥;随施氮量增加,植株吸收的土壤氮量减少,吸收的肥料氮量和氮肥在土壤中的残留量显著增加,小麦对肥料氮的吸收率显著降低;小麦对基施氮肥的吸收量、吸收率和基施氮肥在土壤中的残留量、残留率均显著小于追施氮肥,基施氮肥的损失量和损失率显著大于追施氮肥;较高土壤肥力条件下,植株吸收更多的土壤氮素,吸收的肥料氮量较少,土壤中残留的肥料氮量和肥料氮的损失量较高,不同地块肥料氮吸收、残留和损失的差异主要表现在基施氮肥上.2.当施氮量为105 kg/hm2时,收获后0～100cm土体内未发现硝态氮大量累积,随施氮量增加,0～100cm土体内硝态氮含量显著增加;施氮量大于195 kg/hm^2时,小麦生育期间硝态氮呈明显的下移趋势,土壤肥力较高地块,硝态氮下移较早,下移层次深.3.随施氮量增加,小麦氮素吸收效率和氮素利用效率降低,适量施氮有利于提高成熟期小麦植株氮素积累量、籽粒产量和蛋白质含量;施氮量过高籽粒产量和蛋白质含量不再显著增加,甚至降低;较高土壤肥力条件下,获得最高籽粒产量和蛋白质含量所需施氮量较低.     

水氮配合对绿洲沙地农田玉米产量、土壤硝态氮和氮平衡的影响

在黑河中游边缘绿洲沙地农田研究了不同的水氮配合对玉米产量、土壤硝态氮在剖面中的累积和氮平衡的影响.结果表明,施氮处理较不施氮处理产量增加48.22%～108.6%,施氮量超过225 kg hm-2,玉米产量不再显著增加.受土壤结构影响土壤硝态氮在土壤中呈"W"型分布,即土壤硝态氮含量在0～20 cm、140～160 cm和260～300 cm土层均出现峰值,并随施氮量增加,峰值增高.在常规高灌溉量处理硝态氮含量峰值最高值出现在260～300 cm土层,节水25%灌溉处理硝态氮含量峰值最高值出现在土壤表层0～20 cm土层.在常规高灌溉量处理0～300 cm土层中200～300土层硝态氮累积量所占比例最高,介于27.56%～51.86%之间;节水25%灌溉处理在0～300 cm土层中100～200土层硝态氮累积量所占比例最高,介于32.94%～38.07%之间;表明低灌溉处理下土壤硝态氮在土壤浅层累积较多,而高灌溉处理使更多的硝态氮淋溶至土壤深层.与2006年相比,2007年不施氮处理0～200 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量和积累量均明显减少;而施氮处理变化很小,在低灌溉处理甚至表现出硝态氮含量和积累量增加,表明施氮是土壤硝态氮累积的主要来源,而灌溉则使硝态氮向土壤深层淋溶.0～200 cm 土层土壤硝态氮累积量平均介于27.66～116.68 kg hm-2、氮素表观损失量平均介于77.35～260.96 kg hm-2,和施氮量均呈线性相关,即随施氮量增加,土壤硝态氮累积量和氮素表观损失量均增加,相关系数R2介于0.79～0.99之间,相关均显著.随施氮量增加,玉米总吸氮量和氮收获指数增加,氮的农学利用率降低,而灌溉的影响较小.施氮量超过225 kg hm-2时,地上部植株氮肥吸收利用率和籽粒氮肥吸收利用率开始有降低趋势.所以,在沙地农田,节水10%～25%的灌溉水平和225 kg hm-2的施氮水平可以在避免水肥过量投入的基础上减少土壤有机氮淋溶对地下水造成的污染威胁.     

水氮耦合对冬小麦氮肥吸收及土壤硝态氮残留淋溶的影响

在高肥力条件下,大田试验采用裂区设计,主区为不同灌水频次(0～3次),裂区为不同施氮量(0～240 kg/hm2),结合15N微区示踪技术,研究了水氮耦合对冬小麦氮肥的吸收利用及生育后期土壤硝态氮累积迁移的影响.结果表明,在一定氮肥水平下,不灌水处理的氮肥利用率高于各灌水处理,各灌水处理的氮肥利用率随灌水次数增加呈上升趋势;增加灌水次数,氮肥耕层残留量和残留率显著降低,氮肥损失量和损失率则明显增加.在一定的灌溉水平上,随施氮量(0～240 kg/hm2)增加,植株总吸氮量、氮肥吸收量、氮肥耕层残留量、氮肥损失量以及损失率均呈上升趋势,而氮肥利用率和耕层残留率呈下降趋势.氮肥水平一定时,在灌0至灌2水范围内,籽粒产量随灌水次数增加呈上升趋势,灌3水处理中施氮处理(N168、N240)的籽粒产量较灌2水处理显著降低;灌水生产效率随灌水次数增加显著下降.在一定灌溉水平上,施氮量由168 kg/hm2增至240 kg/hm2,氮素收获指数和氮肥生产效率显著降低,各灌水处理的生物产量、籽粒产量和籽粒蛋白质含量均无显著变化,不灌水处理的生物产量、籽粒产量显著降低.灌水促进了施氮处理(N168,N240)中土壤硝态氮向下迁移,从开花到收获0～100 cm土层中部分硝态氮迁移到了100～200 cm土层.灌水次数是导致收获期0～100 cm土层残留NO-3-N累积量变化的主导因素;水氮互作效应是决定收获期100～200 cm土层残留NO-3-N累积量变化的主导因素,且灌水效应大于施氮效应.     

施氮水平对高产麦田土壤硝态氮时空变化及氨挥发的影响

研究了不同施氮水平对高产麦田土壤硝态氮时空变化和氨挥发的影响.结果表明,高产麦田土壤硝态氮在播种至冬前阶段不断向深层移动,并在140cm以下土层积累.施纯氮96～168 kg·hm^-2处理,增加了60 cm以上土层土壤硝态氮含量,降低了土壤氮素表观损失量占施氮量的比例,提高了小麦籽粒蛋白质含量和籽粒产量,且土壤氨挥发损失较低,基施氮氨挥发损失占基施氮量的4.23%～5.51%;施氮量超过240 kg N·hm^-2,促进了土壤硝态氮向深层的移动和积累,基施氮氨挥发损失、土壤氮素表观损失量及其占施氮量的比例均显著升高,对小麦籽粒蛋白质含量无显著影响,但籽粒产量降低.高产麦田适宜的氮素用量为132～204 kg N·hm^-2.     

旱地小麦不同栽培条件对土壤硝态氮残留的影响

在陕西渭北旱塬进行了2a田间试验,研究不同栽培模式、施氮量和小麦种植密度对旱地硝态氮残留的影响。结果表明,种植小麦2a后0~200 cm土壤剖面中残留硝态氮58.6~283.9 kg/hm2,数量可观,短期内在渭北旱塬深厚的土壤中不会对地下水造成威胁,但夏季休闲期间容易下迁至作物无法吸收的土壤深度。与常规无覆盖模式相比,地膜覆盖和垄沟种植显著提高了作物对氮素的吸收,但同时也增加了土壤0~200 cm的硝态氮残留,这与地膜覆盖导致有机氮矿化增加有关;秸秆覆盖对作物氮素吸收和硝态氮残留均没有明显影响。施氮量低于120 kg/hm2时,各种栽培模式土壤剖面残留硝态氮的分布差异较小,只有地膜覆盖和垄沟种植处理在土壤表层有少量硝态氮累积;施氮量为240 kg/hm2时,无覆盖和秸秆覆盖土壤60~120 cm深度都有明显累积峰,地膜覆盖和垄沟种植土壤残留硝态氮则在60 cm以上土层累积较多。小麦种植密度也影响了各种栽培模式土壤硝态氮及其分布特点。垄沟种植条件下,从土壤表层到200 cm的深层,垄上土壤残留硝态氮均显著高于沟内土壤;上层差异最大,随着土壤深度的增加其差异逐渐降低;随着施氮量的增加,这种差异显著增大;随小麦种植密度的增加则显著降低。随着施氮量增加,小麦吸氮量和土壤中残留硝态氮量均显著提高;施氮增加的残留硝态氮占施氮量的0.3%~44.6%。垄沟种植模式施氮增加的残留硝态氮最多,地膜覆盖处理次之,垄沟种植处理垄上土壤增加量远远高于沟内土壤。施氮量提高1倍,增加的残留硝态氮量平均提高了3倍多。提高小麦种植密度,施氮增加的残留硝态氮平均减小13.2 kg/hm2。由于种植密度增加显著提高了小麦对氮素的吸收,因此硝态氮残留有降低的趋势。其中,秸秆覆盖模式80~140 cm土层降低显著;地膜覆盖条件下高密与低密残留硝态氮的差异主要在深层;垄沟模式中,低密度种植硝态氮残留量在整个土壤剖面都高于高密度处理;而无覆盖条件下,残留硝态氮则随种植密度的提高呈增加趋势。     

关中地区小麦/玉米轮作农田硝态氮淋溶特点

通过田间原位淋溶装置研究了不同施氮量和秸秆覆盖对关中地区小麦/玉米轮作农田90cm深处硝态氮(NO3--N)淋溶量、0～1m土层硝态氮累积及作物产量和氮平衡的影响.试验设不施氮(N1,0kg·hm-2·a-1)、常规施氮(N2,471kg·hm-2·a-1)、推荐施氮(N3,330kg·hm-2·a-1)、减量施氮(N4,165kg·hm-2·a-1)、增量施氮(N5,495kg·hm-2·a-1)和推荐施氮+秸秆覆盖(N3+S)6个不同施肥处理.结果表明:NO3--N淋溶量随施氮量的增加而增大,氮肥的过量施用及秸秆覆盖易造成NO3--N淋溶.N3+S处理90cm处年NO3--N流失量最大,为22.32kg·hm-2,施肥造成的氮流失量为16.44kg·hm-2,比相同施氮量不覆盖处理(N3)高158.9%.NO3--N主要累积在20～60cm土层,年施氮量330kg·hm-2(N3)时,秸秆覆盖与否不影响NO3--N的剖面分布.各施肥处理对作物产量没有显著影响,但减量施氮处理(N4)有减少作物产量的趋势.在本试验条件下,推荐施肥量(小麦施氮150kg·hm-2,玉米施氮180kg·hm-2)在保证作物产量的同时,可减少土壤NO3--N的淋溶和累积.     

长江流域稻麦轮作条件下冬小麦适宜施氮量

为推动长江流域稻茬冬小麦氮肥的合理施用,研究了施氮量(0、120、210、300 kg·hm^-2,分别表示为N₀、N₁、N₂、N₃)对土壤硝态氮含量、土壤-植株系统氮素平衡和产量的影响。结果表明: 土壤剖面的硝态氮含量随施氮量的增加而增加,至拔节期,不同施氮处理的硝态氮均显著运移至60 cm土层。拔节后追施氮肥显著提高了N₁、N₂处理0～40 cm土层和N₃处理0～60 cm土层的硝态氮含量;而成熟期的硝态氮主要积累于0～40 cm土层。氮素平衡分析表明,氮素吸收、残留、损失因小麦不同生育阶段而异,越冬至拔节期是氮素表观损失的主要时期;小麦全生育期植株的氮素积累量、无机氮残留量和土壤氮素表观损失量均随施氮量的增加而显著增加。通过环境经济学的Coase原理和边际收益综合分析,稻茬小麦兼顾生产、生态和经济效益的适宜氮肥用量为250 kg·hm^-2,基肥与拔节肥的比例为5∶5,相应获得的籽粒产量为6840 kg·hm^-2。     

Total soil nitrogen and nitrogen mineralization

Summary The mineralization capacity of 24 different soils was determined from incubation experiments. Relatively rapid mineralization and nitrification was found with soils from cultivated land, and pastures, but soils under natural vegetative covers of conifers and hardwoods were mostly ammonifying. A close relationship could be established between the total nitrogen content of the soil and the amount of mineral nitrogen formed during incubation. Important connections could also be shown between the available nitrogen contents at different times during the incubation period; these suggest that the incubation period can be considerably shortened.     

香蕉苗期氮素亏缺与补偿对植株生长和根系形态的影响

为探究氮素亏缺及亏缺后补偿供氮对蕉苗生长及其根系形态特征的影响,该研究以主要栽培品种基因组类型(AAA型和ABB型)的香蕉品种为材料,通过石英砂基质培养结合氮素亏缺与补偿处理,分析其株高、叶长、叶宽、新增绿叶数、地上部和根系的鲜重和干物质质量、根长和根表面积及根体积等指标的变化。结果表明:(1)亏缺30 d,香蕉苗呈现明显的缺氮表型症状,株高、叶长、叶宽及新增绿叶数均显著降低,根系干物质积累增加,品种Ⅰ、Ⅱ根系干物质分别提高64.71%、87.50%,根冠比增加,总根表面积分别增加4.38%、11.85%,体积分别增加71.78%、66.55%。(2)亏缺68 d,干物质积累受到明显抑制,品种Ⅰ、Ⅱ全株干物质质量降低33.74%、42.04%,根系干物质质量与常规处理无显著差异,根系形态参数变化趋势与轻度亏缺一致。(3)亏缺后补偿供氮,缺氮症状消失,植株生长指标恢复正常水平; 品种Ⅰ、Ⅱ根系干物质质量显著增加51.22%、52.38%,根冠比显著高于常规处理,根系趋向正常形态生长,并且总根体积分别增加61.80%、45.92%; 轻度氮素亏缺后适时补偿供氮,缺氮蕉苗可恢复正常生长,根系干物质质量及体积显著高于常规处理且幼苗的长势更好。综上认为,生产中可以综合利用亏缺胁迫后补偿供氮的方式来培育香蕉苗,以利于其在田间栽培的生长。     

Carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry and nitrogen cycling rates in streams

Stoichiometric analyses can be used to investigate the linkages between N and C cycles and how these linkages influence biogeochemistry at many scales, from components of individual ecosystems up to the biosphere. N-specific NH₄⁺ uptake rates were measured in eight streams using short-term ¹⁵N tracer additions, and C to N ratios (C:N) were determined from living and non-living organic matter collected from ten streams. These data were also compared to previously published data compiled from studies of lakes, ponds, wetlands, forests, and tundra. There was a significant negative relationship between C:N and N-specific uptake rate; C:N could account for 41% of the variance in N-specific uptake rate across all streams, and the relationship held in five of eight streams. Most of the variation in N-specific uptake rate was contributed by detrital and primary producer compartments with large values of C:N and small values for N-specific uptake rate. In streams, particulate materials are not as likely to move downstream as dissolved N, so if N is cycling in a particulate compartment, N retention is likely to be greater. Together, these data suggest that N retention may depend in part on C:N of living and non-living organic matter in streams. Factors that alter C:N of stream ecosystem compartments, such as removal of riparian vegetation or N fertilization, may influence the amount of retention attributed to these ecosystem compartments by causing shifts in stoichiometry. Our analysis suggests that C:N of ecosystem compartments can be used to link N-cycling models across streams.     

Uptake of fertilizer nitrogen and soil nitrogen by rice using15N-labelled nitrogen fertilizer

Data from five field experiments using labelled nitrogen fertilizer were used to determine the relative effects of soil nitrogen and fertilizer nitrogen on rice yield. Yield of grain was closely correlated with total aboveground nitrogen uptake (soil+fertilizer), less closely correlated with soil nitrogen uptake and not significantly correlated with fertilizer nitrogen uptake. When yield increase rather than yield was correlated with fertilizer nitrogen uptake, the correlation coefficient was statistically significant.Contribution from the Laboratory for Flooded Soils and Sediments, Agronomy Dept., Louisiana Agri. Exper. Sta., Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA 70803, and Univ. of Florida, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Sanford, FL 32771.     

土壤微生物生物量氮及其在氮素循环中作用

简述了土壤微生物生物量氮的含量及其影响因素,阐述了其在土壤氮素循环中的重要作用,着重讨论了其与可矿化氮、矿质氮、有机氮和固定态铵之间的关系,指出土壤微生物生物量氮与供氮因子间的关系在氮素循环研究中有非常重要的作用,可为调控土壤氮素的供应状况,减少氮素损失,提高氮肥利用率提供科学依据,并提出了需要深入研究的问题。     

Alterations in nitrogen assimilation and partitioning in nitrogen stressed plants

Although nutrient stress is known to alter partitioning between shoots and roots, the physiological basis for the phenomenon is unresolved. Experiments were conducted to examine assimilation of ¹⁵NO₃ by N-stressed plants and to determine whether apparent changes in assimilation in the root contributed to alterations in whole-plant partitioning of reduced-N. Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. NC 2326) were exposed to a low concentration of NO₃^? in solution (80 μM) for 9 days to effect a N-stress response. Exposure of plants to 1000 μM¹⁵NO₃^? for 12 h on selected days revealed that roots of N-stressed plants developed an increased capacity to absorb NO₃^?, and accumulation of reduced-¹⁵N in the root increased to an even greater extent. When plants were exposed to 80 or 1000 μM¹⁵NO₃^? in steady-state, ¹⁵NO₃^? uptake over a 12 h period was noticeably restricted at the lower concentration, but a larger proportion of the absorbed ¹⁵N still accumulated as reduced-¹⁵N in the root. The alteration in reduced-¹⁵N partitioning was maintained in N-stressed plants during the subsequent 3-day “chase” period when formation of insoluble reduced-¹⁵N in the root was quantitatively related to the disappearance of ¹⁵NO₃^? and soluble reduced-¹⁵N. The results indicate that increased assimilation of absorbed NO₃^?, in the root may contribute significantly to the altered reduced-N partitioning which occurs in N-stressed plants.     

Plant nitrogen dynamics and nitrogen-use strategies under altered nitrogen seasonality and competition

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Numerous studies have examined the effects of climatic factors on the distribution of C(3) and C(4) grasses in various regions throughout the world, but the role of seasonal fluctuations in temperature, precipitation and soil N availability in regulating growth and competition of these two functional types is still not well understood. This report is about the effects of seasonality of soil N availability and competition on plant N dynamics and N-use strategies of one C(3) (Leymus chinensis) and one C(4) (Chloris virgata) grass species. METHODS: Leymus chinensis and C. virgata, two grass species native to the temperate steppe in northern China, were planted in a monoculture and a mixture under three different N seasonal availabilities: an average model (AM) with N evenly distributed over the growing season; a one-peak model (OM) with more N in summer than in spring and autumn; and a two-peak model (TM) with more N in spring and autumn than in summer. KEY RESULTS: The results showed that the altered N seasonality changed plant N concentration, with the highest value of L. chinensis under the OM treatment and C. virgata under the TM treatment, respectively. N seasonality also affected plant N content, N productivity and N-resorption efficiency and proficiency in both the C(3) and C(4) species. Interspecific competition influenced N-use and resorption efficiency in both the C(3) and C(4) species, with higher N-use and resorption efficiency in the mixture than in monoculture. The C(4) grass had higher N-use efficiency than the C(3) grass due to its higher N productivity, irrespective of the N treatment or competition. CONCLUSIONS: The observations suggest that N-use strategies in the C(3) and C(4) species used in the study were closely related to seasonal dynamics of N supply and competition. N seasonality might be involved in the growth and temporal niche separation between C(3) and C(4) species observed in the natural ecosystems.     

Micronutrients and nitrogen metabolism

A sand-culture experiment was conducted to study the influence of a deficiency of and an excess of micronutrients on the uptake and assimilation of NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ⁻ ions by maize. By studying the fate of¹⁵N supplied as¹⁵NH₄NO₃ or NH₄ ¹⁵NO₃, it was demonstrated that in maize plants NH₄−N was absorbed in preference to NO ₃ ⁻ −N. The uptake and distribution of N originating from both NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ⁻ was considerably modified by deficiency of, or an excess of, micronutrients in the growth medium. The translocation of NH ₄ ⁺ −N from roots to shoots was relatively less than that of NO ₃ ⁻ −N. Deficiency as well as excessive amounts of micronutrients, in the growth medium, substantially reduced the translocation of absorbed N into protein. This effect was more pronounced in the case of N supplied as NO ₃ ⁻ . Amino-N was the predominant non-protein fraction in which N from both NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ⁻ tended to accumulate. The next important non-protein fractions were NO ₃ ⁻ −N when N was supplied as NO ₃ ⁻ and amide-N when NH ₄ ⁺ was the source. The relative accumulation of¹⁵N into different protein fractions was also a function of imposed micronutrient levels.     

Ice sheets and nitrogen

Snow and ice play their most important role in the nitrogen cycle as a barrier to land–atmosphere and ocean–atmosphere exchanges that would otherwise occur. The inventory of nitrogen compounds in the polar ice sheets is approximately 260 Tg N, dominated by nitrate in the much larger Antarctic ice sheet. Ice cores help to inform us about the natural variability of the nitrogen cycle at global and regional scale, and about the extent of disturbance in recent decades. Nitrous oxide concentrations have risen about 20 per cent in the last 200 years and are now almost certainly higher than at any time in the last 800 000 years. Nitrate concentrations recorded in Greenland ice rose by a factor of 2–3, particularly between the 1950s and 1980s, reflecting a major change in NO_x emissions reaching the background atmosphere. Increases in ice cores drilled at lower latitudes can be used to validate or constrain regional emission inventories. Background ammonium concentrations in Greenland ice show no significant recent trend, although the record is very noisy, being dominated by spikes of input from biomass burning events. Neither nitrate nor ammonium shows significant recent trends in Antarctica, although their natural variations are of biogeochemical and atmospheric chemical interest. Finally, it has been found that photolysis of nitrate in the snowpack leads to significant re-emissions of NO_x that can strongly impact the regional atmosphere in snow-covered areas.