Abstract: | Two approaches to quantifying relationships between nutrientsupply and plant growth were compared with respect to growth,partitioning, uptake and assimilation of NO3 by non-nodulatedpea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Marma). Plants grown in flowing solutionculture were supplied with NO3 at relative addition rates(RAR) of 0·03, 0·06, 0·12, and 0·18d1, or constant external concentrations (NO3)of 3, 10, 20, and 100 mmol m3 over 19 d. Following acclimation,relative growth rates (RGR)approached the corresponding RARbetween 0·030.12 d-1, although growth was notlimited by N supply at RAR =0.18 d-1. Growth rates showed littlechange with NO3] between 10100 mmol m3(RGR=0·15 0·16 d-1). The absence of growthlimitation over this range was suggested by high unit absorptionrates of NO3, accumulation of NO3 in tissues andprogressive increases in shoot: root ratio. Rates of net uptakeof NO3 from 1 mol m3 solutions were assessed relativeto the growth-related requirement for NO3, showing thatthe relative uptake capacity increased with RGR between 0·030·06d1 , but decreased thereafter to a theoretical minimumvalue at RGR |