Transfer of nitrogen from a tropical legume tree to an associated fodder grass via root exudation and common mycelial networks

Symbiotic dinitrogen fixation by legume trees represents a substantial N input in agroforestry systems, which may benefit the associated crops. Applying ¹⁵N labelling, we studied N transfer via common mycelial networks (CMN) and root exudation from the legume tree Gliricidia sepium to the associated fodder grass Dichantium aristatum . The plants were grown in greenhouse in shared pots in full interaction (treatment FI) or with their root systems separated with a fine mesh that allowed N transfer via CMN only (treatment MY). Tree root exudation was measured separately with hydroponics. Nitrogen transfer estimates were based on the isotopic signature of N ( δ ¹⁵N) transferred from the donor. We obtained a range for estimates by calculating transfer with δ ¹⁵N of tree roots and exudates. Nitrogen transfer was 3.7–14.0 and 0.7–2.5% of grass total N in treatments FI and MY, respectively. Root δ ¹⁵N gave the lower and exudate δ ¹⁵N the higher estimates. Transfer in FI probably occurred mainly via root exudation. Transfer in MY correlated negatively with grass root N concentration, implying that it was driven by source-sink relationships between the plants. The range of transfer estimates, depending on source δ ¹⁵N applied, indicates the need of understanding the transfer mechanisms as a basis for reliable estimates.     

Rice straw decomposition in rice-field soil

Rice straw, buried in a rice-field during the dry season decomposed at a rate of 0.0075 day-1. Seventy five percent of the biomass, 70 percent carbon, 50 percent nitrogen and 30 percent phosphorus remained after 139 days of decomposition. Rice straw decomposition furnished 33% N and 8% P of the total nitrogen and phosphorus provided by man.     

The effect of L-2-amino-4-methoxy-trans-3-butenoic acid on serine hydroxymethyl transferase

The tumour growth inhibitor L-2-amino-4-methoxy-trans-3-butenoic acid (Ro07-7957) inhibits serine hydroxymethyltransferase in cytosolic extracts of Walker carcinoma non-competitively with respect to L-serine with an apparent inhibition constant similar to the K_m-value for L-serine. The kinetics of inactivation suggest that it reacts as an irreversible substrate analogue. Incubation of Walker cells with Ro07-7957 causes an increase in serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity which is most pronounced at concentration ≤LD₅₀. This increase in enzyme activity does not occur in the presence of cycloheximide. These results suggest that inhibition of serine hydroxymethyltransferase in intact cells is accompanied by an increase in enzyme biosynthesis and that the growth inhibitory property of Ro07-7957 does not involve interference with the conversion of serine to glycine.     

The effect of sodium chlorate and nitrapyrin on the nitrification mediated nitrosation process in soils

Summary The influence of total nitrification to nitrate or partial nitrification to nitrite on the soil organic nitrogen status was examined. NH ₄ ⁺ –¹⁵N was added to the soil in the absence and the presence of NaClO₃, respectively nitrapyrin. The first chemical inhibits only nitrate formation, the second inhibits total nitrification. The accumulation of nitrite nitrogen in the soil at levels up to 5 mg kg^–1 increased the loss of nitrogen. Yet, it did not increase the binding of mineral nitrogen into soil organic matter, relative to the control soil. The data suggest that the biochemistry of the nitrite formation process, rather than the levels of nitrite ions formed, are of primary importance in the role of nitrification mediated nitrosation of soil organic matter.     

Effect of Different Carbon and Nitrogen Sources on Clostridium argentinense Toxigenicity in Coculture withPseudomonas mendocina

The effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources on the production of toxin by Clostridium argentinense was examined. The toxin production by C. argentinense in coculture with Pseudomonas mendocina increased in all the cases in relation to that produced by monocultures independent of the nature of the source. Using dextrin as carbon source C. argentinense produced the highest levels of toxin both in monocultures (300 LD₅₀/mL) and in cocultures with P. mendocina (5000 LD₅₀/mL). Experiments run in a microfermenter showed that the slow growth of cocultures associated with the assimilation of dextrin and the pH and Eh profiles favoured the production of toxin. Of the nitrogen sources assayed, corn steep liquor sustained the highest levels of toxin in both monocultures and cocultures with 3 and 2.8 fold increases with respect to that obtained using proteose peptone. The toxin production by C. argentinense cultures and C. argentinense–P. mendocina cocultures was highly dependent on the nature of the carbon and nitrogen sources used in the culture media. Growth of C. argentinense on substrates slowly assimilated stimulated the production of toxin.     

Eutrophication as an impact category

State of the art and research needs for the impact category eutrophication are discussed. Eutrophication is a difficult impact category because it includes emissions to both air and water — both subject to different environmental mechanisms — as well as impacts occurring in different types of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The possible fate processes are complex and include transportation between different ecosystems. In some recent approaches, transportation modelling of air emissions has been included. However, in general, the used characterisation methods do not integrate fate modelling, which is a limitation. The definition of the impact indicator needs further research, too. The inclusion of other nutrients than those typically considered should also be investigated.     

Field investigations of ammonia exchange between barley plants and the atmosphere. II. Nitrogen realiocation, free ammonium content and activities of ammonium-assimilating enzymes in different leaves

The activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) in different leaves of field-grown spring barley were measured during the reproductive growth phase in 2 consecutive years. Concurrently, the contents of soluble ammonium ions and free amides in the leaves were determined. The studies were carried out to investigate the relationship between variations in these parameters and emission of NH3 from the plant foliage. GS and GOGAT activities declined very rapidly with leafage. The decline in enzyme activities was followed by an increase in soluble ammonium ions and amides in the leaf tissues. During the same period, about 75% of leaf and stem nitrogen was reallocated to the developing ear. The amount of NH₃ volatilized from the foliage during the reproductive growth phase amounted to about 1% of the reallocated nitrogen. The experimental years were characterized by very favourable conditions for grain dry matter formation and for re-utilization of nitrogen mobilized from leaves and stems. Ammonia volatilization occurring under conditions with declining GS and GOGAT activities and increasing tissue concentrations of NH₄⁺ may be useful in protecting the plant from accumulation of toxic NH₃ and NH₄⁺ concentrations in the tissues.     

Translocation - A key factor limiting the efficiency of nitrogen fixation in legume nodules

A hypothesis is presented that the availability of water for export of nitrogenous products from legume nodules is a major factor limiting the efficiency of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Water for export of solutes in the xylem probably depends largely on the import of water and reduced carbon in the phloeum, and one function of respiration may be to dispose of reduced carbon in order to increase the supply of water. A second hypothesis presented is that control of gas diffusion in soybean nodules is largely restricted to the cortex nearby the vascular bundles, thus making possible the linkage of solute balances in xylem and phloem with resistance to diffusion. These concepts are used in a re-examination of literature on manipulations of nodules and nodulated plants such as lowering of light levels, water stress, defoliation, stem girdling, and alteration of oxygen supply. The concept of translocation as a major factor limiting efficiency of symbiotic fixation is consistent with the failure of superior rhizobial isolates to improve N input significantly, and this limitation could also prevent exploitation of superior bacterial symbionts in the future