Effects of the chemical form of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers on the dynamics of the soil solution composition and on nutrient uptake by wheat

Adding nitrogen (N) fertilizers to soil affects not only the concentration in the soil solution of the added ions, but also those of other ions already present in the soil. This secondary effect is caused by ion exchange and electrochemical equilibrium processes. We studied how different N fertilizers affected the chemical composition of the soil solution over time, and how this related to nutrient uptake by wheat. Soil was fertilized either with (NH4)2SO4 or Ca(NO3)2, or no N was added. Each of these N treatments was either planted or not with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Soil solutions were collected repeatedly with looped hollow fiber samplers from the root zone in situ, six times during a 50-day pot experiment. Plants were harvested five times, and their nutrient contents determined. In the soil solution, NO3- was significantly less concentrated if (NH4)2SO4, rather than Ca(NO3)2 was applied, until after net nitrification had ended on day 20. In contrast, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ were significantly more concentrated in the former treatment. This was probably caused by the greater concentration of anions that resulted from nitrification. P was always very dilute and unaffected by the form of N fertilizer. The form of N fertilizer had no significant effect on plant growth and nutrient uptake. The likely contribution of mass flow of the soil solution in supplying Ca, Mg and N to the plants was greatest when (NH4)2SO4 was supplied. The supply of K and P was unaffected by N fertilizer. The potential for N leaching loss was lower with (NH4)2SO4 than with Ca(NO3)2, especially up to day 20. However, the potential for cations leaching loss was greater in the (NH4)2SO4 treatment. This suggests that there is only a limited advantage in fertilizing with (NH4)2SO4 to reduce the total loss of nutrients from soil.     

Nutrient uptake and management under saline conditions in the xerohalophyte: Tecticornia indica (Willd.) subsp. indica

In the present investigation, we studied uptake and management of the major cations in the xerohalophyte, Tecticornia indica (Willd.) subsp. indica as subjected to salinity. Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions at various salinity levels (0, 100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl) over 110 days. At harvest, they were separated into shoots and roots then analyzed for water contents, dry weights (DW), and Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ contents. Plants showed a growth optimum at 200 mM NaCl and much better tissue hydration under saline than non-saline conditions. At this salt concentration (200 mM NaCl), shoot Na+ content reached its highest value (7.9 mmol · g-?1 DW). In spite of such stressful conditions, salt-treated plants maintained adequate K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ status even under severe saline conditions. This was mainly due to their aptitude to selectively acquire these essential cations and efficiently use them for biomass production.     

Growth and Major Nutrient Concentrations in Brassica campestris Supplied with Different NH4+/NO3- Ratios

In the present study, we investigated whether growth and main nutrient ion concentrations of cabbage (Brassica campestris L.) could be increased when plants were subjected to different NH4+/NO3- ratios. Cabbage seedlings The results showed that cabbage growth was reduced by 87% when the proportion of NH4+-N in the nutrient solution was more than 75% compared with a ratio NH4+/NO3- of 0.5:0.5 35 d after transplanting, suggesting a possible toxicity seedling weight, root length, and H2PO4- (P), K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations were all higher than those in plants 0.5 NH4+/NO3-. The present results indicate that an appropriate NH4+/NO3- ratio improves the absorption of other nutrients and maintains a suitable proportion of N assimilation and storage that should benefit plant growth and the quality of cabbage as a vegetable.     

等渗Ca(NO3)2和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长及渗透调节物质含量的影响

采用营养液培养方法,以耐盐性较弱的‘津春2号’黄瓜品种为试材,研究了等渗Ca(NO3)2和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长、根系电解质渗透率、根系活力、Na+和K+含量及渗透调节物质含量的影响。结果显示:(1)在84mmol.L-1 NaCl和56mmol.L-1 Ca(NO3)2等渗胁迫下,黄瓜幼苗鲜重和干重均显著下降,且NaCl处理下降的幅度大于等渗Ca(NO3)2处理。(2)NaCl主要通过对黄瓜根系的伤害来抑制植株生长,表现为根系活力下降、根系质膜透性增大、Na+大量积累、K+含量显著下降、Na+/K+明显上升,最终导致根冠比下降;而Ca(NO3)2处理对根系质膜透性、K+含量、Na+/K+的影响均小于NaCl胁迫,且根系活力和根冠比上升,但Ca(NO3)2胁迫后叶片含水量和渗透调节能力均小于NaCl胁迫。(3)NaCl胁迫条件下,黄瓜幼苗内渗透调节物质以可溶性糖为主,而Ca(NO3)2胁迫以可溶性蛋白为主。研究表明,NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗的伤害大于等渗Ca(NO3)2,NaCl主要通过破坏根系质膜结构影响植株生长,而Ca(NO3)2主要通过引起地上部生理干旱来影响植株生长。     

Effect of nitrogen form and root-zone pH on growth and nitrogen uptake of tea (Camellia sinensis) plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tea (Camellia sinensis) is considered to be acid tolerant and prefers ammonium nutrition, but the interaction between root zone acidity and N form is not properly understood. The present study was performed to characterize their interaction with respect to growth and mineral nutrition. METHODS: Tea plants were hydroponically cultured with NH4+, NO3- and NH(4+) + NO3-, at pH 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0, which were maintained by pH stat systems. KEY RESULTS: Plants supplied with NO3- showed yellowish leaves resembling nitrogen deficiency and grew much slower than those receiving NH4+ or NH(4+) + NO3- irrespective of root-zone pH. Absorption of NH4+ was 2- to 3.4-fold faster than NO3- when supplied separately, and 6- to 16-fold faster when supplied simultaneously. Nitrate-grown plants had significantly reduced glutamine synthetase activity, and lower concentrations of total N, free amino acids and glucose in the roots, but higher concentrations of cations and carboxylates (mainly oxalate) than those grown with NH4+ or NH(4+) + NO3-. Biomass production was largest at pH 5.0 regardless of N form, and was drastically reduced by a combination of high root-zone pH and NO3-. Low root-zone pH reduced root growth only in NO(3-)-fed plants. Absorption of N followed a similar pattern as root-zone pH changed, showing highest uptake rates at pH 5.0. The concentrations of total N, free amino acids, sugars and the activity of GS were generally not influenced by pH, whereas the concentrations of cations and carboxylates were generally increased with increasing root-zone pH. CONCLUSIONS: Tea plants are well-adapted to NH(4+)-rich environments by exhibiting a high capacity for NH4+ assimilation in their roots, reflected in strongly increased key enzyme activities and improved carbohydrate status. The poor plant growth with NO3- was largely associated with inefficient absorption of this N source. Decreased growth caused by inappropriate external pH corresponded well with the declining absorption of nitrogen.     

Enhancement of nitrate uptake and growth of barley seedlings by calcium under saline conditions

The effect of Ca2+ on NO3- assimilation in young barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var CM 72) seedlings in the presence and absence of NaCl was studied. Calcium increased the activity of the NO3- transporter under saline conditions, but had little effect under nonsaline conditions. Calcium decreased the induction period for the NO3- transporter under both saline and nonsaline conditions but had little effect on its apparent Km for NO3- both in the presence and absence of NaCl. The enhancement of NO3- transport by Ca2+ under saline conditions was dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the uptake solution along with the salt, since Ca2+ had no effect when supplied before or after salinity stress. Although Mn2+ and Mg2+ enhanced NO3- uptake under saline conditions, neither was as effective as Ca2+. In longer studies, increasing the Ca2+ concentration in saline nutrient solutions resulted in increases in NO3- assimilation and seedling growth.     

氯化钠胁迫对不同品种南瓜幼苗阳离子含量的影响

选择19个不同类型南瓜品种,研究了300 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫条件下,幼苗地上部和根系Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺含量、Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、钠-钾和钠-钙运输选择性系数(S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值)的变化.结果表明：NaCl胁迫处理8 d后,不同品种南瓜幼苗Na⁺含量均明显增加,而K⁺含量下降,离子平衡被打破.青栗（Q₁）南瓜幼苗根系Na⁺含量、地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值均明显高于黑蜜南瓜（H₂）和黑籽南瓜（H₃）.不同品种南瓜幼苗体内Na⁺含量、地上部Na⁺/K⁺和Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值变化趋势与NaCI胁迫下不同品种南瓜幼苗盐害指数的结果基本一致,进一步验证了Q₁耐盐性强与NaCl胁迫下地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值较低以及K⁺、Ca²⁺含量较高有关;而H₂和H₃对盐敏感与NaCl胁迫下地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值较高,以及K⁺、Ca²⁺含量较低有关.     

盐胁迫对弗吉尼亚栎生长及矿质离子吸收、运输和分配的影响

以低浓度(50 mmol.L-1)和高浓度(150 mmol.L-1)NaC l处理弗吉尼亚栎(Quercus virginiana)2年生扦插苗,研究了弗吉尼亚栎生长和根系形态学参数变化以及Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、NO3-等矿质离子在不同器官的吸收、运输和分配。结果表明,盐胁迫不同程度促进了地上部和根系生长,地上部和根系干重、根长、表面积和体积在低浓度盐胁迫下明显增加(P0.05),而在高浓度盐胁迫下变化不大。随着根系对Na+和C l-吸收的增加,K+、Ca2+、Mg2+在根部和茎部的积累明显降低,矿质离子由根部向茎部运输的能力在低浓度盐胁迫增加而高浓度下受到抑制。叶片在低浓度和高浓度盐胁迫下对K+、NO3-具有很强的选择吸收能力,这对于维持叶片离子平衡和正常的光合作用及代谢过程具有重要意义。Na+和C l-在根部的浓度远远大于地上部,说明弗吉尼亚栎根系对盐离子具有较高的耐受性,而减少盐离子在地上部的积累,对于维持地上部的正常生长具有重要意义,这也是弗吉尼亚栎对盐胁迫的适应机制之一。     

Nitrate supply affects ammonium transport in canola roots

Plants may suffer from ammonium (NH4+) toxicity when NH4+ is the sole nitrogen source. Nitrate (NO3-) is known to alleviate NH4+ toxicity, but the mechanisms are unknown. This study has evaluated possible mechanisms of NO3- alleviation of NH4+ toxicity in canola (Brassica napus L.). Dynamics of net fluxes of NH4+, H+, K+ and Ca2+ were assessed, using a non-invasive microelectrode (MIFE) technique, in plants having different NO3- supplies, after single or several subsequent increases in external NH4Cl concentration. After an increase in external NH4Cl without NO3-, NH4+ net fluxes demonstrated three distinct stages: release (tau1), return to uptake (tau2), and a decrease in uptake rate (tau3). The presence of NO3- in the bathing medium prevented the tau1 release and also resulted in slower activation of the tau3 stage. Net fluxes of Ca2+ were in the opposite direction to NH4+ net fluxes, regardless of NO3- supply. In contrast, H+ and K+ net fluxes and change in external pH were not correlated with NH4+ net fluxes. It is concluded that (i) NO3- primarily affects the NH4+ low-affinity influx system; and (ii) NH4+ transport is inversely linked to Ca2+ net flux.     

盐胁迫下盐地碱蓬体内无机离子含量分布特点的研究

用不同浓度NaCl溶液处理盐地碱蓬（Suaeda salsa)植株后,测定并比较老叶、幼叶及根部的无机离子含量和对K的选择性,叶片及根部的Na^ 、Cl^-含量随盐度的增加而升高,且累积趋势相似,盐胁迫下根部Na^ 、Cl^-及总离子含量（K^ 、Na^ 、Ca^2 ,NO3^-,Cl^-)明显低于叶片,说明盐地碱蓬地盐胁迫下,以叶片优先积累大量离子（如Na^ ,Cl^-) 为其适应特征。NaCl处理下,叶片的K^ ,Ca^2 含量低于对照,但随盐度的增加保持相对稳定,而根部K^ 含量,K/Na比、对K的选择性则高于叶片,这对盐胁迫下地上部的K^ 亏缺有一定补偿作用。低盐度处理（100mmol/LNaCl)促进NO3^-的吸收,另外随盐度的增加,叶片渗透势下降,渗透调节能力增强,幼叶渗透势低于老叶,但渗透调节能力相同。     

北京西山不同人工林枯落物层的水化学性质

通过采集降雨经枯落物后的水样,初步研究了北京西山地区油松林和栓皮栎林林下枯落物层的水化学性质.结果表明:大气降水经过林冠进入枯落物层后,油松林和栓皮栎林林下不同元素的浓度发生明显变化.枯落物水中K 、Na 、Ca2 、Mg2 、NH4 -N和NO3--N的浓度随时间的变化趋势基本一致.穿透雨经过枯落物层后,水中K 、Na 、Ca2 和Mg2 的平均浓度增加,而NH4 -N、NO3--N的平均浓度减小.其中,栓皮栎林和油松林中Ca2 浓度分别增加了7.54和5.27mg.L-1.栓皮栎林下枯落物层中K 、Na 、Ca2 、Mg2 的平均浓度高于油松林,而NH4 -N、NO3--N的平均浓度则低于油松林;经降水淋溶作用后,栓皮栎林和油松林林下枯落物归还林地的养分分别为41.59和58.12kg.hm-2,其中归还林地较多的是Ca2 ,其次是K .     

Effects of salinity on cytosolic Na+ and K+ in root hairs of Arabidopsis thaliana: in vivo measurements using the fluorescent dyes SBFI and PBFI

Toxicity from sodium accumulation is an important aspect of salinity stress that has been well studied at the organ and tissue level. However, the effects of salinity on sodium accumulation in the cytosol, where much of the sodium toxicity is thought to occur, are poorly understood due to the difficulty of direct non-invasive measurements of ion activities in living cells. The Na+-sensing fluorescent probe sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) and the K+-sensing fluorescent probe potassium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (PBFI) were used to quantify Na+ and K+ activity in living root hairs under salinity stress. The effects of exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana roots to 0, 30, 60 or 90 mM NaCl were observed during the 20 min immediately following salinization and also after 2 d of salinization, in plants supplied with 0.5, 2.0 or 5.0 mM Ca. SBFI and PBFI fluorescence was confined primarily to the cytoplasm, with very little signal from the vacuole. Sodium affected the quantification of K+ by PBFI, thus limiting the usefulness of this dye. Root hairs exposed to NaCl accumulated from 30-60 mM Na+ within the first 5 min of salinization in 0.5 and 2.0 mM Ca2+, and up to 15 mM Na+ in the 5.0 mM Ca2+ treatment. Two days of salinization did not increase cytosolic Na+ concentrations beyond the values observed after 20 min of salinization. Cytosolic activities roughly corresponded with elemental analysis of combined dry matter fractions from whole plants. We conclude that SBFI and, to a lesser extent, PBFI are useful tools for quantifying the dynamics of ion activities in the cytosols of living plant cells.     

模拟氮沉降下南方针叶林红壤的养分淋溶和酸化

以中国科学院红壤生态实验站林草生态试验区针叶林红壤为研究对象,在恒温(20 ℃)条件下,通过大土柱（直径10 cm、高60 cm）,8个月间隙性淋溶试验模拟研究了不同氮输入量（0、7.8、26和52 mg N/月/柱）对针叶林红壤NO₃^-、NH₄⁺、H⁺和土壤盐基离子(Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、K⁺、Na⁺⁾淋溶以及土壤酸化的影响.结果表明,土壤交换态盐基总量、Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺淋溶量随氮输入量的增加而增加,土壤交换态Na⁺和K⁺则无明显影响.4种N输入处理的土壤交换态盐基总量净淋溶（淋溶出的盐基与淋洗液累计输入的盐基之差）分别占土壤交换性盐基总量的13.9%、18.6%、31.8% 和57.9％,土壤交换态Ca²⁺净淋溶分别占土壤交换性Ca²⁺总量的19.6%、25.8%、45.3%和84.8%,土壤交换态Mg²⁺净淋溶分别占土壤交换性Mg²⁺总量的4.4%、6.1%、10.9%和17.1%.随氮输入量增加,表层土壤pH值逐渐下降,4种N输入处理的表层土壤pH（KCl）分别为3.85、3.84、3.80和3.75;随氮输入量增加,淋溶液中无机氮、NO₃^-和H⁺逐渐增加.氮沉降可促进针叶林红壤的有机氮矿化,加速养分淋失和土壤酸化.     

Regulatory changes in the K+, Cl- and water contents of HeLa cells incubated in an isosmotic high K(+)-medium

HeLa cells had their normal medium replaced by an isosmotic medium containing 80 mM K+, 70 mM Na+ and 100 microM ouabain. The cellular contents of K+ first increased and then decreased to the original values, that is, the cells showed a regulatory decrease (RVD) in size. The initial increase was not inhibited by various agents except by substitution of medium Cl- with gluconate. In contrast, the regulatory decrease was inhibited strongly by addition of either 1 mM quinine, 10 microM BAPTA-AM without medium Ca2+, or 0.5 mM DIDS, and partly by either 1 mM EGTA without medium Ca2+, 10 microM trifluoperazine, or substitution of medium Cl- with NO3-. Addition of DIDS to the NO3(-)-substituted medium further suppressed the K+ loss but the effect was incomplete. Intracellular Ca2+ showed a transient increase after the medium replacement. These results suggest that the initial increase in cell K+ is a phenomenon related to osmotic water movement toward Donnan equilibrium, whereas the regulatory K+ decrease is caused by K+ efflux through Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels. The K+ decrease induced a decrease in cellular water, i.e., RVD. The K+ efflux may be more selectively associated with Cl- efflux through DIDS-sensitive channels than the efflux of other anions.     

Expression of characteristics of ammonium nutrition as affected by pH of the root medium

To study the effect of root-zone pH on characteristic responses of NH4+ -fed plants, soybeans (Glycine max?L.? Merr. cv. Ransom) were grown in flowing solution culture for 21 d on four sources of N (1.0 mol m-3 NO3-, 0.67 mol m-3 NO3- plus 0.33 mol m-3 NH4+, 0.33 mol m-3 NO3- plus 0.67 mol m-3 NH4+, and 1.0 mol m-3 NH4+) with nutrient solutions maintained at pH 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, and 4.5. Amino acid concentration increased in plants grown with NH4+ as the sole source of N at all pH levels. Total amino acid concentration in the roots of NH4+ -fed plants was 8 to 10 times higher than in NO3(-)-fed plants, with asparagine accounting for more than 70% of the total in the roots of these plants. The concentration of soluble carbohydrates in the leaves of NH4+ -fed plants was greater than that of NO3(-)-fed plants, but was lower in roots of NH4+ -fed plants, regardless of pH. Starch concentration was only slightly affected by N source or root-zone pH. At all levels of pH tested, organic acid concentration in leaves was much lower when NH4+ was the sole N source than when all or part of the N was supplied as NO3-. Plants grown with mixed NO3- plus NH4+ N sources were generally intermediate between NO3(-)- and NH4+ -fed plants. Thus, changes in tissue composition characteristic of NH4+ nutrition when root-zone pH was maintained at 4.5 and growth was reduced, still occurred when pH was maintained at 5.0 or above, where growth was not affected. The changes were slightly greater at pH 4.5 than at higher pH levels.     

盐胁迫下柚和橘幼苗体内矿质元素变化的比较研究

采用沙培法,对盐胁迫下坪山柚和福橘幼苗体内矿质元素的变化进行了研究。结果表明,随着NaCl浓度的增加,坪山柚和福橘幼苗根部及地上部Na^＋、Cl-含量增加,且相同浓度下,福橘比坪山柚高。40mmol／L NaCI胁迫下,坪山柚和福橘幼苗地上部的K^＋、Fe含量,根部的Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋、Zn含量显著下降,而根部Fe含量及地上部Zn含量显著增加。随NaCl浓度增大,坪山柚根部K^＋含量,地上部Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋含量变化不明显,而福橘根部、地上部上述离子含量在NaCl浓度≥160mmol／L时均显著下降。因此,根部K^＋含量,地上部Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋含量存在品种问差异,或许可作为耐盐性鉴定指标。NaCl胁迫降低坪山柚和福橘幼苗根部及地上部P、Mn含量,而Cu含量在较高浓度NaCl胁迫下显著增加。NaCl胁迫明显降低坪山柚和福橘幼苗地上部K^＋／Na^＋、Ca^2＋／Na^＋和Mg^2＋／Na^＋值,其中K^＋／Na^＋值的变化可考虑作为柑橘耐盐性鉴定的指标。     

盐胁迫对药用蒲公英生长特性及有效成分积累与离子吸收分配效应的影响

以药用蒲公英(Taraxacum officinale)为试材,研究不同浓度盐胁迫对其生长特性、有效成分积累和离子吸收分配的影响。结果表明,低盐胁迫(0.1%NaCl)对药用蒲公英生长和菊苣酸含量无显著影响,叶中Na⁺含量与对照无显著差异,K⁺含量及K⁺/Na⁺显著升高;高盐胁迫(≥0.2%NaCl)下其生长受到显著抑制,菊苣酸含量显著降低,类囊体膜结构随着盐胁迫加剧趋于紊乱,光合能力减弱,叶片Na⁺含量显著上升,而K⁺、Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺含量下降,K⁺/Na⁺、Ca²⁺/Na⁺和Mg²⁺/Na⁺显著降低。离子运输选择性系数(S_Ca,Na、S_Mg,Na、S_K,Na)随着盐胁迫加剧呈先升后降趋势。相关性分析表明,盐胁迫下...     

Physiological and Growth Responses of Tomato Progenies Harboring the Betaine Alhyde Dehydrogenase Gene to Salt Stress

The responses of five transgenic tomato （Lycopersicon esculentum Mill） lines containing the betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase （BADH） gene to salt stress were evaluated. Proline, betaine （N, N, N-trimethylglycine, hereafter betalne）, chlorophyll and ion contents, BADH activity, electrolyte leakage （EL）, and some growth parameters of the plants under 1.0% and 1.5% NaCl treatments were examined. The transgenic tomatoes had enhanced BADH activity and betaine content, compared to the wild type under stress conditions. Salt stress reduced chlorophyll contents to s higher extent in the wild type than in the transgenic plants. The wild type exhibited significantly higher proline content than the transgenic plants at 0.9% and 1.3% NaCh Cell membrane of the wild type was severely damaged as determined by higher EL under salinity stress. K^＋ and Ca^2＋ contents of all tested lines decreased under salt stress, but the transgenic plants showed a significantly higher accumulation of K^＋ and Ca^2＋ than the wild type. In contrast, the wild type had significantly higher CI- and Na^2＋ contents than the transgenic plants under salt stress. Although yield reduction among various lines varied, the wild type had the highest yield reduction. Fruit quality of the transgenic plants was better in comparison with the wild type as shown by a low ratio of blossom end rot fruits. The results show that the transgenic plants have improved salt tolerance over the wild type.     

Effects of NaCl on Flows of N and Mineral Ions and on NO3- Reduction Rate within Whole Plants of Salt-Sensitive Bean and Salt-Tolerant Cotton

The effects of NaCl on the transport rates of cations, NO3-, and reduced N compounds between roots and shoot and on NO3- assimilation rate were examined on plants of two species differing in their sensitivity to salinity, bean (Phaseolus vulgare L. cv Gabriella) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Akala). Biomass production after 20 d in response to 50 and 100 mM NaCl decreased by 48 and 59% in bean, but only 6 and 14% in cotton. The comparison of the flow patterns obtained for control and NaCl-fed plants showed that salinity induced a general decrease in all the fluxes involved in partitioning of N and the various ions. This decrease was markedly higher in bean than in cotton. Within either species, the different flows (uptake, xylem flux, phloem flux) of a given element were affected by NaCl to the same extent with minor exceptions. No specific effect of salinity on any of the components of N partitioning were discerned. The greater sensitivity of nitrate reductase activity to NaCl in bean leaves compared to cotton leaves seems to be due to a decreased compartmentalization of ions rather than to a difference in salt tolerance of the enzyme itself. Overall, our data show that alteration of mineral nutrition is not solely the reflection of a decreased growth rate, but also is a general process that impairs uptake of all the minerals even at mild NaCl salinity.