Discrimination of nitrogen isotopes during absorption of ammonium and nitrate at different nitrogen concentrations by rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants

Studies of uptake of ionic sources of N by two hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (paddy‐field‐adapted Koshihikari and dryland‐adapted Kanto 168) showed that the magnitude of the nitrogen isotope fractionation (?) for uptake of NH₄⁺ depended on the concentrations of NH₄⁺ and cultivar (averaging –6·1‰ for Koshihikari and –12·0‰ for Kanto 168 at concentrations from 40 to 200 mmol m^?3 and, respectively, –13·4 and –28·9‰ for the two cultivars at concentrations from 0·5 to 4 mol m^?3). In contrast, the ? for uptake of NO₃^? in similar experiments was almost insensitive to the N concentration, falling within a much narrower range (+3·2‰ to –0·9‰ for Koshihikari and –0·9‰ to –5·1‰ for Kanto 168 over NO₃^? concentrations from 0·04 to 2 mol m^?3). From longer term experiments in which Norin 8 and its nitrate‐reductase deficient mutant M819 were grown with 2 or 8 mol m^?3 NO₃^? for 30 d, it was concluded that the small concentration‐independent isotopic fractionation during absorption of this ion was not related to nitrate reductase activity.     

免耕稻田氮肥运筹对土壤NH3挥发及氮肥利用率的影响

通过大田试验,设置5种不同的施肥比例(基肥:分蘖肥:拔节肥:穗肥-2:2:3:3(R1)、3:2:2:3(R2)、4:2:2:2(R3)、4:3:1:2(R4)与0:0:0:0(CK)),研究氮肥运筹对稻田NH₃挥发和氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明,(1)相对于不施肥,施肥显著提高了稻田NH₃挥发量。氮肥施用后,NH₃挥发损失量占施氮量的6.2%-8.5%,其中,以分蘖期NH₃挥发损失量最大,齐穗期次之,苗期和拔节期最小。施肥处理间,处理R1稻田累积NH₃挥发量最小,显著低于其它施肥处理,比处理R2、R3和R4分别低9.1%(P<0.05)、10.9%(P<0.05)和17.7%(P<0.05)。(2)相关分析表明,田面水NH₄⁺、pH值和土壤NH₄⁺和pH值均与稻田土壤NH₃挥发通量呈显著或者极显著相关;(3)处理R1水稻氮肥利用率相对于处理R2、R3和R4增加了28.4%(P<0.05)、55.4%(P<0.05)和74.9%(P<0.05)。研究表明,氮肥后移能有效降低免耕稻田NH₃挥发,提高水稻的氮肥利用率。     

Acclimation of nitrogen uptake capacity of rice to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration

Background and Aims: Nitrogen (N) is a major factor affecting yield gain of cropsunder elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations [CO₂].It is well established that elevated [CO₂] increases root mass,but there are inconsistent reports on the effects on N uptakecapacity per root mass. In the present study, it was hypothesizedthat the responses of N uptake capacity would change with theduration of exposure to elevated [CO₂]. Methods: The hypothesis was tested by measuring N uptake capacity inrice plants exposed to long-term and short-term [CO₂] treatmentsat different growth stages in plants grown under non-limitingN conditions in hydroponic culture. Seasonal changes in photosynthesisrate and transpiration rate were also measured. Key Results: In the long-term [CO₂] study, leaf photosynthetic responsesto intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) were not affected byelevated [CO₂] before the heading stage, but the initial slopein this response was decreased by elevated [CO₂] at the grain-fillingstage. Nitrate and ammonium uptake capacities per root dry weightwere not affected by elevated [CO₂] at panicle initiation, butthereafter they were reduced by elevated [CO₂] by 31–41% at the full heading and mid-ripening growth stages. In theshort-term study (24 h exposures), elevated [CO₂] enhanced nitrateand ammonium uptake capacities at the early vegetative growthstage, but elevated [CO₂] decreased the uptake capacities atthe mid-reproductive stage. Conclusions: This study showed that N uptake capacity was downregulated underlong-term exposure to elevated [CO₂] and its response to elevated[CO₂] varied greatly with growth stage.     

不同氮素形态比例对五味子幼苗生长特性的影响

以2年生五味子苗木为试验材料,在田间条件下,施以铵态氮(NH4+-N)和硝态氮(NO3--N)不同比例,分析了叶片可溶性蛋白、叶绿素含量、根系及茎叶中全氮含量、生物量等季节的动态变化规律,探讨了不同氮素形态比例对五味子苗木生长的影响。结果表明,五味子苗木在不同生长时期对不同氮素形态的吸收和利用存在明显差异,NH4+-N和NO3--N对五味子幼苗生长有显著的联合效应。在五味子生长前期,五味子主要以吸收和同化NH4+-N为主,并以铵态氮和硝态氮比例为75∶25时地上部生物量积累较多;而在五味子生长的中后期,五味子主要以NO3--N吸收和同化为主,并以铵态氮和硝态氮比例为25∶75时地上部生物量积累较多。     

氮肥水平对不同基因型水稻氮素利用率、产量和品质的影响

以不同基因型的水稻品种日本晴、N70、N178和OM052为供试品种,氮肥采用尿素,按基肥(70%)和蘖肥(30%)两次施用,设置3个施氮水平(N用量设0、120、270 kg·hm^-2)的田间小区试验,研究氮素水平对水稻产量、氮素利用效率和稻米品质的影响,以期为氮肥合理施用和氮高效水稻品种创制提供科学依据.结果表明:施氮能增加水稻品种产量的原因是提高了有效穗数和每穗实粒数;与对照(0 kg·hm^-2)相比,当施氮量为120和270 kg·hm^-2时,OM052籽粒产量在4个品种中增幅最大,分别为41.1%和76.8%;品种产量增幅不同是由于氮素利用效率的差异,在120、270 kg·hm^-2氮处理下,4个供试品种中,日本晴籽粒产量和氮素农学利用率(40.90 g·g^-1、18.56 g·g^-1)都最低,为氮低效品种,OM052籽粒产量和氮素农学利用率(145.9 g·g^-1、81.24 g·g^-1)都最高,为氮高效品种.施N能够增加各品种的直链淀粉和蛋白质含量,使胶稠度变长,降低垩白率、垩白度和碱消值;随施氮量增加,热浆黏度、峰值黏度、回复值和崩解值递减,而消碱值递增.相关性分析表明,低N水平下,供试品种产量及产量构成因子与外观品质、蒸煮食味的相关性更显著.综上,OM052是一个籽粒产量和氮素利用效率“双高”基因型品种,合理施用氮肥可以显著增加水稻的有效穗数和每穗粒数,改善稻米籽粒品质,实现高产和优质的协同.     

Concurrent activation of OsAMT1;2 and OsGOGAT1 in rice leads to enhanced nitrogen use efficiency under nitrogen limitation

Nitrogen (N) is a major factor for plant development and productivity. However, the application of nitrogenous fertilizers generates environmental and economic problems. To cope with the increasing global food demand, the development of rice varieties with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is indispensable for reducing environmental issues and achieving sustainable agriculture. Here, we report that the concomitant activation of the rice (Oryza sativa) Ammonium transporter 1;2 (OsAMT1;2) and Glutamate synthetase 1 (OsGOGAT1) genes leads to increased tolerance to nitrogen limitation and to better ammonium uptake and N remobilization at the whole plant level. We show that the double activation of OsAMT1;2 and OsGOGAT1 increases plant performance in agriculture, providing better N grain filling without yield penalty under paddy field conditions, as well as better grain yield and N content when plants are grown under N llimitations in field conditions. Combining OsAMT1;2 and OsGOGAT1 activation provides a good breeding strategy for improving plant growth, nitrogen use efficiency and grain productivity, especially under nitrogen limitation, through the enhancement of both nitrogen uptake and assimilation.     

Auxin distribution is differentially affected by nitrate in roots of two rice cultivars differing in responsiveness to nitrogen

Background and Aims

Although ammonium (NH₄⁺) is the preferred form of nitrogen over nitrate (NO₃⁻) for rice (Oryza sativa), lateral root (LR) growth in roots is enhanced by partial NO₃⁻ nutrition (PNN). The roles of auxin distribution and polar transport in LR formation in response to localized NO₃⁻ availability are not known.

Methods

Time-course studies in a split-root experimental system were used to investigate LR development patterns, auxin distribution, polar auxin transport and expression of auxin transporter genes in LR zones in response to localized PNN in ‘Nanguang’ and ‘Elio’ rice cultivars, which show high and low responsiveness to NO₃⁻, respectively. Patterns of auxin distribution and the effects of polar auxin transport inhibitors were also examined in DR5::GUS transgenic plants.

Key Results

Initiation of LRs was enhanced by PNN after 7 d cultivation in ‘Nanguang’ but not in ‘Elio’. Auxin concentration in the roots of ‘Nanguang’ increased by approx. 24 % after 5 d cultivation with PNN compared with NH₄⁺ as the sole nitrogen source, but no difference was observed in ‘Elio’. More auxin flux into the LR zone in ‘Nanguang’ roots was observed in response to NO₃⁻ compared with NH₄⁺ treatment. A greater number of auxin influx and efflux transporter genes showed increased expression in the LR zone in response to PNN in ‘Nanguang’ than in ‘Elio’.

Conclusions

The results indicate that higher NO₃⁻ responsiveness is associated with greater auxin accumulation in the LR zone and is strongly related to a higher rate of LR initiation in the cultivar ‘Nanguang’.     

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria on root biofilms and their possible contribution to N use efficiency of different rice cultivars

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) populations were studied on the root surface of different rice cultivars by PCR coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). PCR-DGGE of the ammonium monooxygenase gene (amoA) showed a generally greater diversity on root samples compared to rhizosphere and unplanted soil. Sequences affiliated with Nitrosomonas spp. tended to be associated with modern rice hybrid lines. Root-associated AOB observed by FISH were found within a discrete biofilm coating the root surface. Although the total abundance of AOB on root biofilms of different rice cultivars did not differ significantly, there were marked contrasts in their population structure, indicating selection of Nitrosomonas spp. on roots of a hybrid cultivar. Observations by FISH on the total bacterial community also suggested that different rice cultivars support different bacterial populations even under identical environmental conditions. The presence of active AOB in the root environment predicts that a significant proportion of the N taken up by certain rice cultivars is in the form of NO₃ ^–-N produced by the AOB. Measurement of plant growth of hydroponically grown plants showed a stronger response of hybrid cultivars to the co-provision of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^–. In soil-grown plants, N use efficiency in the hybrid was improved during ammonium fertilization compared to nitrate fertilization. Since ammonium-fertilized plants actually receive a mixture of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– with ratios depending on root-associated nitrification activity, these results support the advantage of co-provision of ammonium and nitrate for the hybrid cultivar.     

氮肥处理对氮素高效吸收水稻根系性状及氮肥利用率的影响

2011—2012年在土培条件下,以氮素吸收效率差异较大的15个常规籼稻为供试材料,研究氮肥运筹对不同氮效率品种根系性状、成熟期吸氮量及氮肥利用率的影响,分析影响氮高效水稻氮素吸收的主要根系性状。结果表明:(1)各氮肥处理下,成熟期吸氮量均表现为氮高效品种氮中效品种氮低效品种。适量增施氮肥及基肥+促花肥处理有利于氮高效品种吸氮量的增加,氮素吸收受品种、氮肥处理的显著影响。(2)在施氮量处理下,氮高效品种单株不定根数、单株根干重、单株不定根总长大或较大,单株根活力在常氮(N2)、高氮(N3)处理下有一定的优势;在施氮时期处理下,氮高效品种单株不定根数、单株不定根总长、单株根干重、单株根系总吸收面积、单株根系活跃吸收面积、抽穗期冠根比多数处理有优势;增施氮肥有利于促进氮高效品种单株不定根总长和单株根活力的提高,适量施氮有利于单株不定根数、单株根干重增加,前期施氮可促进不定根的发生和伸长,后期施氮有利于不定根的充实和根系生理性状的提高。此外,增施氮肥可提高各类品种冠根比;(3)在常氮、高氮处理下,氮高效品种氮肥利用率大于氮中效、氮低效品种。(4)提高单株不定根数、单株不定根总长、单株根活力及抽穗期冠根比有利于各类品种吸氮量的提高,增加根干重对氮高效品种吸氮量的提高也有显著的促进作用。结合相关分析与通径分析结果,抽穗期冠根比及单株不定根数、单株根活力、单株不定根总长、单株根干重是影响氮高效品种吸氮能力的主要根系性状。     

Photosynthetic efficiency and nitrogen distribution under different nitrogen management and relationship with physiological N-use efficiency in three rice genotypes

Nitrogen fertilization strategies were widely adopted to enhance grain production and improve nitrogen utilization in rice all over the world. For fertilization timing strategy, ear fertilization was usually employed in recent years. For fertilization amount strategy, nitrogen fertilization would continually increase to meet the demands of increasing people for food. However, under heavy ear fertilization as well as great nitrogen amount (NA), physiological N-use efficiency (PE, defined as grain production per unit nitrogen uptake by plants) decreased. Under three NA and two ratios of fertilization given during ear development period to total NA (ear fertilization distribution ratio, EFDR), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), Pn to nitrogen content per unit area (photosynthetic N-use efficiency, Pn/N), nitrogen accumulation in plant tissues and PE of three rice (Oryza sativaL.) genotypes, Jinyou 253, Liangyoupeijiu and Baguixiang were screened in the first and second seasons in 2002 so as to understand the fluctuation patterns of Pn/N and nitrogen distribution in leaf blades under great NA & EFDR and relationship with PE in rice. Results showed that under greater NA & EFDR, Pn in flag leaves at heading and plant nitrogen accumulation at maturity always increased and PE & Pn/N always decreased in spite of increased grain production. Rice distributed more nitrogen in leaf blade under greater NA and EFDR. PE indicated significantly (P<0.05) positive relationship with Pn/N and negative relationship with nitrogen distribution ratio in leaf blades at heading and maturity, and no association with Pn in two growing seasons. Results suggested that low PE in rice under great NA and heavy ear fertilization is associated to more nitrogen distribution in leaf blades and decreases in photosynthetic efficiency.     

Identification and characterization of improved nitrogen efficiency in interspecific hybridized new-type Brassica napus

Background and Aims

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is an important oil crop worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the variation in nitrogen (N) efficiency of new-type B. napus (genome A^rA^rC^cC^c) genotypes, and to characterize some critical physiological and molecular mechanisms in response to N limitation.

Methods

Two genotypes with contrasting N efficiency (D4-15 and D1-1) were identified from 150 new-type B. napus lines, and hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted. Root morphology, plant biomass, N uptake parameters and seed yield of D4-15 and D1-1 were investigated. Two traditional B. napus (genome AⁿAⁿCⁿCⁿ) genotypes, QY10 and NY7, were also cultivated. Introgression of exotic genomic components in D4-15 and D1-1 was evaluated with molecular markers.

Key Results

Large genetic variation existed among traits contributing to the N efficiency of new-type B. napus. Under low N levels at the seedling stage, the N-efficient new-type D4-15 showed higher values than the N-inefficient D1-1 line and the traditional B. napus QY10 and NY7 genotypes with respect to several traits, including root and shoot biomass, root morphology, N accumulation, N utilization efficiency (NutE), N uptake efficiency (NupE), activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS), and expression levels of N transporter genes and genes that are involved in N assimilation. Higher yield was produced by the N-efficient D4-15 line compared with the N-inefficient D1-1 at maturity. More exotic genome components were introgressed into the genome of D4-15 (64·97 %) compared with D1-1 (32·23 %).

Conclusions

The N-efficient new-type B. napus identified in this research had higher N efficiency (and tolerance to low-N stress) than traditional B. napus cultivars, and thus could have important potential for use in breeding N-efficient B. napus cultivars in the field.     

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.     

Response of maize genotypes with different nitrogen use efficiency to low nitrogen stresses

Objectives

This paper aims to compare the property difference of spatial and temporal distribution of different nitrogen use efficiency maize genotypes and discuss the physiological mechanism of nitrogen efficiency of maize.

Changes in ion fluxes during phototropic bending of etiolated oat coleoptiles

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This work has been conducted to assist theoretical modelling of the different stages of the blue light (BL)-induced phototropic signalling pathway and ion transport activity across plant membranes. Ion fluxes (Ca(2+), H(+), K(+) and Cl(-)) in etiolated oat coleoptiles have been measured continuously before and during unilateral BL exposure. METHODS: Changes in ion fluxes at the illuminated (light) and shadowed (dark) sides of etiolated oat coleoptiles (Avena sativa) were studied using a non-invasive ion-selective microelectrode technique (MIFE). The bending response was also measured continuously, and correlations between the changes in various ion fluxes and bending response have been investigated. For each ion the difference (Delta) between the magnitudes of flux at the light and dark sides of the coleoptile was calculated. KEY RESULTS: Plants that demonstrated a phototropic bending response also demonstrated Ca(2+) influx into the light side approximately 20 min after the start of BL exposure. This is regarded as part of the perception and transduction stages of the BL-induced signal cascade. The first 10 min of bending were associated with substantial influx of H(+), K(+) and Cl(-) into the light (concave) side of the coleoptiles. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that Ca(2+) participates in the signalling stage of the BL-induced phototropism, whereas the phototropic bending response is linked to changes in the transport of H(+), K(+) and Cl(-).     

Nitrogen nutrition of rice plants under salinity

Two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, Koshihikari and Pokkali, were grown in solution culture at three concentrations of NaCl or Na₂SO₄ [0 (S0), 50 (S1), and 100 (S2) mmol dm^–3] and three N contents [0.7 (N1), 7 (N2) and 14 (N3) mmol dm^–3]. Salinity significantly decreased dry matter of both cultivars. Pokkali had better growth than Koshihikari under both saline and non-saline conditions. Applications of N enhanced development of shoot dry mass under S0 and S1 treatments up to N2. Under S2, N application had no effect on shoot dry mass of both cultivars. Root dry mass of both cultivars decreased with increasing N application at S1 and S2. Shoot and root NO₃-N content in both rice cultivars increased with increasing N concentration in the nutrient solutions. The absorption of NO₃-N was less in Koshihikari than Pokkali plants, and also was much less in Cl^– than SO₄ ^2– salinity suggesting the antagonism between Cl^– and NO₃ ^–. In addition a significant negative correlation between concentrations of NO₃-N and Cl^– in the shoots or roots was observed in both cultivars     

天山林区不同类型群落土壤氮素对冻融过程的动态响应

季节性冻融过程对北方温带森林土壤氮素的转化与流失具有重要影响,但不同类型群落对冻融过程响应的差异尚不明确。通过在林地、草地、灌丛上设置系列监测样地,采用原位培养的方法,利用林冠遮挡形成的自然雪被厚度差异,监测分析了冻融期天山林区不同群落表层土壤(0—15 cm)的氮素动态及净氮矿化速率间的差异。结果表明:(1)不同类型群落土壤的铵态氮(NH+4-N)含量、微生物量氮(MBN)含量基本与土壤(5 cm)温度呈正相关,深冻期林地土壤铵态氮含量低于其他群落类型而硝态氮含量高于其他群落类型;(2)硝态氮(NO-3-N)为天山林区季节性冻融期间土壤矿质氮的主体,占比达78.4%。灌丛土壤硝态氮流失风险较大,融化末期较融化初期灌丛土壤硝态氮含量下降了64.6%;(3)冻融时期对整体氮素矿化速率影响显著,群落类型对氨化速率影响显著;(4)天山林区土壤氮素在冻结期主要以氮固持为主。通过揭示不同类型群落土壤氮素对冻融格局的响应,能够助益于对北方林区冬季土壤氮素循环的认识。     

The influence of nitrogen concentration and ammonium/nitrate ratio on N-uptake,mineral composition and yield of citrus

In short-term water culture experiments with different ¹⁵N labeled ammonium or nitrate concentrations, citrus seedlings absorbed NH₄ ⁺ at a higher rate than NO₃ ^–. Maximum NO₃ ^– uptake by the whole plant occurred at 120 mg L^–1 NO₃ ^–-N, whereas NH₄ ⁺ absorption was saturated at 240 mg L^–1 NH₄ ⁺-N. ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ accumulated in roots and to a lesser degree in both leaves and stems. However, ¹⁵NO₃ ^– was mostly partitioned between leaves and roots.Adding increasing amounts of unlabeled NH₄ ⁺ (15–60 mg L^–1 N) to nutrient solutions containing 120 mg L^–1 N as ¹⁵N labeled nitrate reduced ¹⁵NO₃ ^– uptake. Maximum inhibition of ¹⁵NO₃ ^– uptake was about 55% at 2.14 mM NH₄ ⁺ (30 mg L^–1 NH₄ ⁺-N) and it did not increase any further at higher NH₄ ⁺ proportions.In a long-term experiment, the effects of concentration and source of added N (NO₃ ^– or NH₄ ⁺) on nutrient concentrations in leaves from plants grown in sand were evaluated. Leaf concentration of N, P, Mg, Fe and Cu were increased by NH₄ ⁺ versus NO₃ ^– nutrition, whereas the reverse was true for Ca, K, Zn and Mn.The effects of different NO₃ ^–-N:NH₄ ⁺-N ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) at 120 mg L^–1 total N on leaf nutrient concentrations, fruit yield and fruit characteristics were investigated in another long-term experiment with plants grown in sand cultures. Nitrogen concentrations in leaves were highest when plants were provided with either NO₃ ^– or NH₄ ⁺ as a sole source of N. Lowest N concentration in leaves was found with a 75:25 NO₃ ^–-N/NH₄ ⁺-N ratio. With increasing proportions of NH₄ ⁺ in the N supply, leaf nutrients such as P, Mg, Fe and Cu increased, whereas Ca, K, Mn and Zn decreased. Yield in number of fruits per tree was increased significantly by supplying all N as NH₄ ⁺, although fruit weight was reduced. The number of fruits per tree was lowest with the 75:25 NO₃ ^–-N:NH₄ ⁺-N ratio, but in this treatment fruits reached their highest weight. Rind thickness, juice acidity, and colour index of fruits decreased with increasing NH₄ ⁺ in the N supply, whereas the % pulp and maturity index increased. Percent of juice in fruits and total soluble solids were only slightly affected by NO₃ ^–:NH₄ ⁺ ratio.     

不同氮效率水稻生育后期根表和根际土壤硝化特征

通过田间试验研究了不同氮效率粳稻品种4007(氮高效)和Elio(氮低效)生育后期在N0(0 kgN hm-2)、N180(180 kgN hm-2)和N300(300 kgN hm-2)水平下根表、根际和土体土壤pH值、铵态氮(NH+4-N)和硝态氮(NO-3-N)含量、硝化强度和氨氧化细菌(AOB)数量.结果表明无论是齐穗期、灌浆期还是成熟期,根表土壤pH值均显著低于根际和土体土壤.土壤pH值范围在5.95至6.84之间变化.土壤NH+4-N含量随水稻生长显著下降,且随施氮量增加而显著增加.根表土壤NH+4-N有明显亏缺区,且随距水稻根表距离增加,NH+4-N含量逐渐升高.土壤NO-3-N含量随水稻生长显著增加,施氮处理均显著高于不施氮处理,但N180和N300处理差异不显著.NO-3-N含量表现为根际>土体>根表.水稻根表和根际土壤硝化强度随水稻生长显著下降,而土体土壤硝化强度随时间延长小幅增加.施氮显著提高4007水稻根表土壤在齐穗和收获期硝化强度以及Elio在齐穗期根际硝化强度,但在施氮处理N180和N300中无显著差异.在整个采样期间,土壤硝化强度均表现为根际>根表>土体.水稻根表和根际AOB数量随水稻生长而显著降低,而土体土壤AOB数量无显著变化.例如,根表土壤AOB数量在齐穗期、灌浆期和收获期分别为16.7×105、8.77×105个g-1 dry soil和8.01×105个g-1 dry soil.根表和根际土壤AOB数量无显著差异,但二者显著高于土体土壤AOB数量.就两个氮效率水稻品种而言,土壤pH值基本无差异.4007土壤NH+4-N含量均显著高于Elio.在齐穗期水稻根表、根际和土体土壤NO-3-N含量在N180水平下均表现为Elio显著高于4007.而在灌浆期和收获期,水稻根表、根际和土体土壤则表现为4007显著高于Elio.在所有采样期,两个水稻品种土体土壤硝化强度和AOB数量在3个施氮量下均无显著差异.Elio根表和根际土壤硝化强度和AOB数量在水稻灌浆期之前一直显著高于4007,而在灌浆期之后则显著低于4007,且最终产量和氮素利用率(NUE)显著低于4007,这可能是由于4007灌浆期后硝化作用强,根际产生的NO-3-N含量高,从而4007根吸收NO-3-N的量也高造成的.因此水稻灌浆期和收获期根表和根际硝化作用以及AOB与水稻高产及氮素高效利用密切相关.