The role of N-remobilisation and the uptake of NH4+ and NO3- by Lolium perenne L. in laminae growth following defoliation under field conditions

Several studies have previously shown that shoot removal of forage species, either by cutting or herbivore grazing, results in a large decline in N uptake (60%) and/or N₂ fixation (80%). The source of N used for initial shoot growth following defoliation relies mainly on mobilisation of N reserves from tissues remaining after defoliation. To date, most studies investigating N-mobilisation have been conducted, with isolated plants grown in controlled conditions. The objectives of this study were for Lolium perenne L., grown in a dense canopy in field conditions, to determine: 1) the contribution of N-mobilisation, NH₄ ⁺ uptake and NO₃ ^- uptake to growing shoots after defoliation, and 2) the contribution of the high (HATS) and low (LATS) affinity transport systems to the total plant uptake of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^-. During the first seven days following defoliation, decreases in biomass and N-content of roots (34% and 47%, respectively) and to a lesser extent stubble (18% and 43%, respectively) were observed, concomitant with mobilisation of N to shoots. The proportion and origin of N used by shoots (derived from reserves or uptake) was similar to data reported for isolated plants. Both HATS and LATS contributed to the total root uptake of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^-. The V_max of both the NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- HATS increased as a function of time after defoliation, and both HATS systems were saturated by substrate concentrations in the soil at all times. The capacity of the LATS was reduced as soil NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ concentrations decreased following defoliation. Data from ¹⁵N uptake by field-grown plants, and uptake rates of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- estimated by excised root bioassays, were significantly correlated, though uptake was over-estimated by the later method. The results are discussed in terms of putative mechanisms for regulating N uptake following severe defoliation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

氮肥配施生化抑制剂组合对黄泥田土壤氮素淋溶特征的影响

揭示尿素类肥料添加生化抑制剂组合后,在黄泥田土壤中硝态氮(NO~-_3-N)和铵态氮(NH~+_4-N)的淋溶损失规律。采用室内土柱淋溶培养试验,研究脲酶抑制剂N-丁基硫代磷酰三胺(NBPT)和硝化抑制剂2-氯-6-(三氯甲基)吡啶(CP)单独添加及配合施用对尿素和尿素硝铵(300 kg N/hm~2)中氮(N)素在土体中淋溶损失的影响。结果表明:尿素和尿素硝铵处理淋溶液中NH~+_4-N和NO~-_3-N浓度均呈先升后降的变化趋势,而出峰时间不一。NH~+_4-N和NO~-_3-N淋失量随着时间的延长,处理间差异逐渐变大。NBPT处理可以减缓尿素水解,有效抑制NH~+_4-N生成,延缓其出峰时间,减少NH~+_4-N流失;CP处理可以有效抑制NH~+_4-N向NO~-_3-N转化,减少NO~-_3-N流失。与单独添加NBPT和CP处理相比,两者配施对N素淋溶损失有明显的协同抑制效果在黄泥田土壤中,既能减缓尿素水解,保持土壤中较高NH~+_4-N含量,又能降低淋溶液中NO~-_3-N浓度。培养结束时(第72天),UAN处理中NO~-_3-N、NH~+_4-N、矿质态N淋失总量及硝化率较U处理高34.39%、5.32%、31.72%和15.71%。U+NBPT、U+CP和U+NBPT+CP处理较U处理分别显著降低NO~-_3-N淋失总量达15.58%、114.77%和73.45%;UAN+NBPT、UAN+CP和UAN+NBPT+CP处理较UAN处理分别显著降低达15.88%、54.87%和37.46%。不同处理NO~-_3-N淋失总量大小表现为:UAN UAN+NBPT U UAN+NBPT+CP U+NBPT UAN+CP U+NBPT+CP U+CP CK。在一定施肥量条件下,NBPT和CP单独施用或配施均可降低黄泥田土壤中NO~-_3-N累积淋失量。对各处理淋溶液中NO~-_3-N淋失量(y)随时间(x)的变化进行拟合,其中以线性方程(y=ax+b)的拟合度较高,且各抑制剂处理a、b值均存在明显差异。总体认为,在黄泥田土壤中施用CP及其与NBPT配施可以显著降低土壤NO~-_3-N淋溶损失,减少N素淋失风险,提高肥料利用率。     

Interactive effect of salt (NaCl) and nitrogen form on growth, water relations and photosynthetic capacity of sunflower (Helianthus annum L.)

The effects of the ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃^-) forms of nitrogen and NaCl on the growth, water relations and photosynthesis performance of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were examined under glasshouse conditions. Eight-day-old plants of cv. Hisun 33 were subjected for 21 days to Hoagland's nutrient solution containing 8 mol m^-3N as NH₄⁺or NO₃^-, and salinised with 0, 60, or 120 mol m^-3NaCl. Fresh weights of shoots and roots, and leaf area of NO₃^-supplied non-salinised plants were significantly greater than those of NH₄⁺-supplied non-salinised plants. But addition of NaCl to the rooting medium of these plants had more inhibitory effect on the growth of NO₃^--supplied plants than on NH₄⁺-supplied plants. Both leaf water and osmotic potentials of plants grown with NH₄⁺were lower than those of plants given NO₃^-under both non-saline and saline conditions. Chlorophylls a and b concentrations were higher in plants grown with NH₄⁺than N0₃^--supplied plants at the lower two levels of salinisation. The rate of photosynthesis in plants was considerably higher in non-salinised plants grown with NO₃^-than with NH₄⁺, but with increase in salinisation the photosynthesis rate decreased in NO₃^--supplied plants, but not in those given NH₄⁺. The rate of transpiration was increased significantly by salinisation in NO₃^--supplied plants, but not consistently so in NH₄⁺-supplied plants. The stomatal conductances were much higher in plants given NO₃^-than with NH₄⁺when grown under non-saline conditions, but not when salinised. As a consequence, water-use efficiency in NO₃^--supplied control plants was better than in NH₄⁺-supplied under non-saline conditions, but worse under saline conditions. The different forms of nitrogen and the addition of NaCl to the growing medium did not affect the relative intercellular concentrations of CO₂ (C_i/C_a). Overall, the NH₄⁺form of nitrogen inhibited the growth of sunflowers under non-saline conditions, but NO₃^-and NaCl interacted to inhibit growth more than did NH₄⁺under saline conditions.     

A dynamic whole-plant model of integrated metabolism of nitrogen and carbon. 1. Comparative ecological implications of ammonium-nitrate interactions

The dynamics of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and nitrate (NO₃ ^-) concentrations in the soil solution is an important determinant of the species composition of natural vegetation. A mathematical model of uptake, assimilation and translocation of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- is presented to assess the performance of species with respect to NO₃ ^-/NH₄ ⁺ feeding characterised by physiologically defined parameters. Nitrate efflux is explicitly considered. The capacities of NO₃ ^-, [U _NM], and NH₄ ⁺ influx, [U _AM], and NO₃ ^- reduction, [A _NM], appear sufficient to characterise whole-plant N metabolism including NO₃ ^- translocation. The parameter space made up by these parameters is represented by 276 parameter combinations (`species'). Simulated total net N uptake rate and C costs for uptake and assimilation per mole total net N taken up are used to decide on how a species profits or suffers from NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup>+NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup> mixtures relative to pure N forms with similar total N concentration for external concentrations up to 1.6 mM. Five response categories were identified and contrasted with categories defined by Bogner (1968) on the basis of experimental results on forest plants. The largest category comprises species that respond positively to NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup> and positively or indifferently to NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup>. These species have intermediate to high [U <sub>NM</sub>] and [A <sub>NM</sub>] and variable [U <sub>AM</sub>] and correspond to woodland edge species and forest plants on rich soil including typical `nitrophilic' species. This category fades into a group of species that respond positively to NO₃ ^- and negatively to NH₄ ⁺. These species have high [U _NM] and low [U _AM] and [A _NM]; several species from oak-hornbeam woodland (Carpinion) belong to this group. Many parameter combinations were found that responded positively to NH₄ ⁺ and indifferently to NO₃ ^-: low to medium [U _NM], medium to high [U _AM] and variable [A _NM]. This category includes all heathland species. No species were found which responded negatively to NO₃ ^-. The physiological background of differences between the categories is explained with respect to the equilibrium NO₃ ^- concentration in roots, influx, efflux, translocation and assimilation of NO₃ ^- and uptake and assimilation of NH₄ ⁺. The relationship between NO₃ ^- accumulation capacity and morphology is discussed. Some slow-growing species with high [U _NM] and low [A _NM] use NO₃ ^- mainly as an osmotic solute. Respiratory costs in roots of inherently slow-growing species are discussed with respect to patterns in NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- availabilities of their habitat. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

氮素类型和剂量对寒温带针叶林土壤N2O排放的影响

大气氮沉降输入会增加森林生态系统氮素有效性,进而改变土壤N_2O产生与排放,然而有关不同氮素离子(氧化态NO_3~--N与还原态NH_4~+-N)沉降对土壤N_2O排放的影响知之甚少。以大兴安岭寒温带针叶林为研究对象,构建了3种类型(NH_4Cl、KNO_3、NH_4NO_3)和4个施氮水平(0、10、20、40 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))的增氮控制试验,利用流动化学分析仪和静态箱-气相色谱法4次/月测定凋落物层和矿质层土壤无机氮含量、土壤-大气界面N_2O净交换通量以及相关环境因子,分析施氮类型和剂量对土壤氮素有效性、土壤N_2O通量的影响探讨氮素富集条件下土壤N_2O通量的环境驱动机制。结果表明:施氮类型和剂量均显著影响土壤无机氮含量,土壤NH_4~+-N的积累效应显著高于NO_3~--N。施氮一致增加寒温带针叶林土壤N_2O排放,NH_4NO_3促进效应最为明显,增幅为442%-677%,高于全球平均水平(134%)。土壤N_2O通量与土壤温度、凋落物层NH_4~+-N含量正相关,且随着施氮水平增加而增加。结果表明大气氮沉降短期内不会导致寒温带针叶林土壤NO_3~--N大量流失,但会显著促进土壤N_2O的排放。此外,外源性NH_4~+和NO_3~-输入对土壤N_2O排放的促进作用具有协同效应,在未来森林生态系统氮循环和氮平衡研究中应该区分对待。     

Root growth as a function of ammonium and nitrate in the root zone

We examined the effect of soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? content upon the root systems of field-grown tomatoes, and the influence of constant, low concentrations of NH₄⁺ or NO₃^? upon root growth in solution culture. In two field experiments, few roots were present in soil zones with low extractable NH₄⁺ or NO₃^?; they increased to a maximum in zones having 2μg-N NO₃^? g^?1 soil and 6 μg-N NO₃⁼ g^?1 soil, but decreased in zones having higher NH₄⁺ or NO₃^? levels. Root branching was relatively insensitive to available mineral nitrogen. Plants maintained in solution culture at constant levels of NH₄⁺ or NO₃^?, had similar shoot biomass, but all root parameters – biomass, length, branching and area – were greater under NH4 nutrition than under NO₃^?. These results suggest that the size of root system depends on a functional equilibrium between roots and shoots (Brouwer 1967) and on the balance between soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^?.     

Effects of forest fertilization on nitrogen leaching and soil microbial properties in the Northern Calcareous Alps of Austria

Several boreal and alpine forests are depleted in nutrients due to acidification. Fertilization may be a remedy, but rapidly-soluble salts (N, P, K, Mg) may pose nitrate problems for the groundwater or decrease microbial activity.With the aim to investigate potential nitrogen leaching after fertilization we set up an experiment employing intact soil cores (11 cm diameter, 20–40 cm long) from a mixed forest and a Picea abies stand (soil type Rendsina) in the Northern Calcareous Alps of Austria. The cores were fertilized with a commercial NPK fertilizer or a methylene-urea-apatite-biotite (MuAB) fertilizer at a rate corresponding to 300 kg N ha^-1 and incubated for 28 weeks together with unfertilized controls. Both soil water (retrieved 5 cm below the soil surface) and leachate were analyzed for nitrate and ammonium in regular intervals. After the incubation, soil microbial biomass and basal repiration were determined and a nitrogen mineralization assay was performed.For the control, in the soil water and leachate maximum NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- concentrations of 5 and 11 mg N L^-1, respectively, were found. Compared to that, MuAB fertilizer resulted in a slow increase of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- in the soil water (up to 11 and 35 mg N L^-1 respectively) and in the leachate (4 mg NH₄ ⁺-N L^-1 and 44 mg NO₃ ^--N L^-1). Highest nitrogen loads were found for the fast release NPK fertilizer, with NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- concentrations up to 170 and 270 mg N L^-1, respectively, in the soil water. NH₄ ⁺-N levels in the leachate remained below 5, while NO₃-N levels were up to 190 mg L^-1. Fast- release NPK caused a significant decrease of microbial biomass and basal respiration. These parameters were not affected by MuAB fertilizer.The results suggest that the MuAB fertilizer may be an ecologically appropriate alternative to fast-release mineral fertilizers for improving forest soils.     

Growth,chemical composition,and nitrate reductase activity of Rumex species in relation to form and level of N supply

Growth, chemical composition, and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) of hydroponically cultured Rumex crispus, R. palustris, R. acetosa, and R. maritimus were studied in relation to form (NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^-, or both) and level of N supply (4 mM N, and zero-N following a period of 4mM N). A distinct preference for either NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^- could not be established. All species were characterized by a very efficient uptake and utilization of N, irrespective of N source, as evident from high concentrations of organic N in the tissues and concurrent excessive accumulations of free NO₃ ^- and free NH₄ ⁺. Especially the accumulation of free NH₄ ⁺ was unusually large. Generally, relative growth rate (RGR) was highest with a combination of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^-. Compared to mixed N supply, RGR of NO₃ ^-- and NH₄ ⁺-grown plants declined on average 3% and 9%, respectively. Lowest RGR with NH₄ ⁺ supply probably resulted from direct or indirect toxicity effects associated with high NH₄ ⁺ and/or low Ca²⁺ contents of tissues. NRA in NO₃ ^- and NH₄NO₃ plants was very similar with maxima in the leaves of ca 40 μmol NO₂ ^- g^-1 DW h^-1. ‘Basal’ NRA levels in shoot tissues of NH₄ ⁺ plants appeared relatively high with maxima in the leaves of ca 20 μmol NO₂ ^- g^-1 DW h^-1. Carboxylate to organic N ratios, (C-A)/N_org, on a whole plant basis varied from 0.2 in NH₄ ⁺ plants to 0.9 in NO₃ ^- plants. After withdrawal of N, all accumulated NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ was assimilated into organic N and the organic N redistributed on a large scale. NRA rapidly declined to similar low levels, irrespective of previous N source. Shoot/root ratios of -N plants were 50–80% lower than those from +N plants. In comparison with +N, RGR of -N plants did not decline to a large extent, decreasing by only 15% in -NH₄ ⁺ plants due to very high initial organic-N contents. N-deprived plants all exhibited an excess cation over anion uptake (net proton efflux), and whole-plant (C-A)/N_org ratios increased to values around unity. Possible difficulties in interpreting the (C-A)/N_org ratio and NRA of plants in their natural habitats are briefly discussed.     

不同氮素水平对油麦菜栽培效果的综合评价分析

为探讨不同氮素水平的硝态氮与铵态氮对油麦菜(Lactuca sativa L.)生长及品质的影响,自主设计并制作了适合蔬菜水培的立体管道栽培系统,配制了NO3-：NH4+=10：0,NO3-：NH4+=7：1,NO3-：NH4+=7：3的营养液,通过模糊数学原理,采用层次分析法(AHP)确定品质的权重值,综合评价了不同氮素水平对油麦菜的栽培效果。结果表明,以NO3-：NH4+=7：3营养液的栽培效果最好,其次是NO3-：NH4+=7：1。当营养液的NO3-：NH4+=7：3时,油麦菜的产量最高,叶片叶绿素、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质含量最高,硝酸盐含量最少,其综合品质最好。层次分析法对油麦菜不同氮素水平营养液的栽培效果的综合评价有较好的适用性,有助于获得南方设施管道栽培油麦菜最佳的营养液配方。     

Effect of nitrogen form and phosphorus source on the growth,nutrient uptake and rhizosphere soil property of Camellia sinensis L.

The effects of nitrogen form and phosphorus source on the growth, nutrient uptake and rhizosphere soil property of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) were investigated in a pot experiment. The experiment was performed with a compartmental cropping device, which enables the collection of rhizosphere soil at defined distances from the root of tea plant. Nitrogen was supplied as nitrate or ammonium in combination with soluble phosphorus as Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ or insoluble P as rock phosphate. The leaf dry matter production of tea was significantly greater in the treatments with NH₄ ⁺ than NO₃ ^-, whereas dry matter production of root and stem was not significantly affected. Addition of phosphorus as either source did not influence the dry matter production. The concentrations of K in root, Mg and Ca in both the shoot and root supplied with NO₃ ^- were significantly higher than in NH₄ ⁺ and influence of P sources was minor. On the contrary, Al and Mn concentrations were significantly larger in NH₄ ^--fed plants which could be attributed to remarkably increased availability of Al and Mn caused by acidification of the rhizosphere soil (the first 1-mm soil section from the root surface) with NH₄–N nutrition. The concentration of N in shoot was also significantly higher in NH₄- than in NO₃-fed plants, indicating higher use efficiency of NH₄–N. Whatever the phosphate source, rhizosphere pH declined in ammonium compared to in nitrate treatment. The pH decrease was much larger when no P or soluble P were applied and reached 0.85–1.30 units which extended to 3–5 mm away from the root surface. Exchangeable acidity, content of exchangeable Al and Mn were also considerably higher in the rhizosphere soils of NH₄ ⁺ fed tea plants. Significant amounts of P dissolved from rock phosphate accumulated in rhizosphere of NH₄ ⁺, not NO₃ ^-, suggesting that the dissolution of rock phosphate was induced by the proton excreted by tea root fed with ammonium. With soluble P addition, shoot and root P concentrations were greater in NH₄ ⁺ than in NO₃ ^- treatment and it appeared that this difference could not be sufficiently explained by the available P content in soil which was only slightly higher in NH₄ ⁺ treatment. With rock phosphate addition, the shoot and root P concentrations were hardly affected by nitrogen form, although the available P content was much higher and accumulated in the rhizosphere soil supplied with ammonium. The reason for this was discussed with regard to the inter-relationship of Al with P uptake. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization: impacts of nitrogen species and land use type

Background and aims

Climate warming, nitrogen (N) deposition and land use change are some of the drivers affecting ecosystem processes such as soil carbon (C) and N dynamics, yet the interactive effects of those drivers on ecosystem processes are poorly understood. This study aimed to understand mechanisms of interactive effects of temperature, form of N deposition and land use type on soil C and N mineralization.

Methods

We studied, in a laboratory incubation experiment, the effects of temperature (15 vs. 25 °C) and species of N deposition (NH₄ ⁺-N vs. NO₃ ^?-N) on soil CO₂ efflux, dissolved organic C (DOC) and N (DON), NH₄ ⁺-N, and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations using intact soil columns collected from adjacent forest and grassland ecosystems in north-central Alberta.

Results

Temperature and land use type interacted to affect soil CO₂ efflux, concentrations of DON, NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N in most measurement times, with the higher incubation temperature resulted in the higher CO₂ efflux and NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations in forest soils and higher DON and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations in grassland soils. Temperature and land use type affected the cumulative soil CO₂ efflux, and DOC, DON, NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations. The form of N added or its interaction with the other two factors did not affect any of the C and N cycling parameters.

Conclusions

Temperature and land use type were dominant factors affecting soil C loss, with the soil C in grassland soils more stable and resistant to temperature changes. The lack of short-term effects of the deposition of different N species on soil C and N mineralization suggest that maybe there was a threshold for the N effect to kick in and long-term experiments should be conducted to further elucidate the species of N deposition effects on soil C and N cycling in the studied systems.     

Occurrence and intensity of wild boar disturbances, effects on the physical and chemical soil properties of alpine grasslands

Background and aims

Physical and chemical soil properties determine local plant conditions and resources, affecting plants’ ability to respond to disturbances. In alpine grasslands, wild boar disturbances occur at different intensities, what may affect differently their soil properties. Alpine soils from five contrasted plant communities were explored within and outside disturbances, accounting for an overall and community scale effect. Additionally, we analysed the effect of disturbance intensity on soil NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N.

Methods

Soils were analyzed for physical (bulk density, moisture content and electrical conductivity), and chemical properties (pH, total N and C, oxidizable C, C:N ratio, available K, P, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺). Resin bags were used to compare the effect of the disturbance occurrence and intensity on soil NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N.

Results

Bulk density, total N and NO₃ ^--N concentration were significantly higher in disturbed areas, while soil moisture, C:N, NH₄ ⁺-N, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly lower. However, low disturbance intensity reduced NO₃ ^--N and increased NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations.

Conclusions

Wild boar occurrence and intensity strongly alter physical and chemical conditions of alpine soils, increasing soil compaction, and altering the availability of N forms. These changes may affect most plant species, thus affecting the structure and dynamics of alpine plant communities.     

川西北高寒草地沙化过程中土壤氮素变化特征

草地沙化是我国最严重的环境问题之一,但关于草地沙化过程中氮素变化特征的研究报道多集中于干旱半干旱地区,而半湿润地区的相关报道还比较缺乏。通过野外调查,研究了川西北半湿润地区高寒沙质草地沙化过程中土壤氮素变化特征。结果表明,草地沙化对0—100cm土层土壤氮素具有显著影响,全氮、碱解氮、铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)、硝态氮(NO_3~--N)和微生物量氮(MBN)均呈现极显著下降的变化特征,极度沙化阶段较未沙化阶段分别减少了73.95%、77.72%、76.75%、79.77%和84.12%。其中,0—20cm土层变化最显著,全氮、碱解氮、NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N和MBN含量分别减少了86.43%、83.52%、82.11%、88.82%和91.77%。随着土层深度增加,不同程度沙化草地土壤氮素含量及其变化量逐渐减少;草地沙化过程中,不同沙化阶段土壤氮素损失数量不尽相同,其中,以轻度沙化阶段氮素损失最严重,全氮、碱解氮、NH_4~+-N、NO-3-N和MBN含量分别降低了41.18%、35.17%、46.74%、43.46%和46.88%。草地沙化过程中,土壤全氮、碱解氮、NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N和MBN含量与土壤粉粒、粘粒含量和植被群落盖度均呈极显著正相关特征,与土壤沙粒含量呈极显著负相关特征。研究区土壤氮素损失与风蚀选择性吹蚀土壤粉粒、粘粒及地表植物覆盖状况逐渐变差密切相关,因此该区域治沙的关键是采取措施降低风蚀对地表土壤吹蚀作用,提高沙化草地地表植被覆盖。同时,还应及时对沙化前期阶段及潜在沙化的草地进行生态治理,从而避免草地沙化继续恶化。     

Efficiency of respiration and energy requirements of N assimilation in roots of Pisum sativum

The function of alternative path respiration in roots was investigated in pea plants (Pisum sativum L. cv. Rondo). Plants were grown in symbiosis with Rhizobium leguminosarum (strain PF2), completely dependent on N₂ fixation, or non-nodulated, receiving nitrate or ammonium at the same rate as N₂ was fixed in symbiosis. Under these conditions, relative growth rates of plants grown with N₂, NO^-₃ or NH⁺₄ were the same. This facilitated interpretation of the effect of the N source on the efficiency of root respiration, as determined by the relative activity of the non-phosphorylating alternative path. The ‘wasteful’ oxidation of carbohydrate via this pathway was defined as the glucose equivalent of the difference between the amounts of ATP (mol O₂)^-1 produced in cytochrome and alternative path respiration. ‘Wasteful’ carbohydrate oxidation maximally amounted to 4% (N₂), 15% (NO^-₃) and 25% (NH⁺₄) of the daily carbohydrate oxidation in the roots. It is concluded that the ‘wasteful’ oxidation of carbohydrate via the alternative path is of minor importance for the adaptation of root respiratory metabolism to different energy requirements of N assimilation. The total carbohydrate import by roots fixing N₂ was ca 60 and 30% higher than the import by roots assimilating NO^-₃ or NH⁺₄, respectively. Two factors are shown to account for these differences: the high carbohydrate cost of N₂ fixation, and the small contribution (30%) of the roots to NO^-₃ reduction by the plant. The high carbohydrate requirements of roots fixing N₂ were met by higher rates of photosynthesis as compared with plants utilizing NO^-₃ or NH⁺₄.     

The effects of ammonium sulphate deposition and root sinks on soil solution chemistry in coniferous forest soils

The effects of enhanced (NH_{4 2}SO₄deposition on soil solution cation and anion concentrations and annualionic fluxes were followed using a standardised experimental protocolin six European coniferous forests with contrasting soil types, pollutioninputs and climate. Native soil cores containing a ceramic suction cupwere installed in the field, roofed and watered every two weeks withlocal throughfall or local throughfall with added(NH₄)₂SO₄ at 75 kgNH₄ ⁺-N ha^-1 a^-1. Livingroot systems were established in half of the lysimeters.Untreated throughfall NH₄ ⁺-N deposition at thesites ranged from 3.7 to 29 kg ha^-1 a^-1Soil leachates were collected at two weekly intervalsover 12 months and analysed for volume, andconcentrations of major anions and cations. Increasesin soil solution NO₃ ^- concentrations inresponse to N additions were observed after 4–9months at three sites, whilst one sandy soil with highC:N ratio failed to nitrify under any of thetreatments. Changes in NO₃ ^- concentrationsin soil solution controlled soil solution cationconcentrations in the five nitrifying soils, withAl³⁺ being the dominant cation in the more acidsoils with low base saturation. The acidification responses ofthe soils to the (NH_{4 2}SO₄additions were primarily related to the ability of thesoils to nitrify the added NH₄ ⁺. pH and soiltexture seemed important in controllingNH₄ ⁺ leaching in response to the treatments,with two less acidic, clay/clay loam sites showingalmost total retention of added NH₄ ⁺, whilstnearly 75% of the added N was leached asNH₄ ⁺ at the acid sandy soils. The presenceof living roots significantly reduced soil solutionNO₃ ^- and associated cation concentrations attwo of the six sites. The very different responses of the sixsoils to increased (NH₄)₂SO₄deposition emphasise that the establishment of N critical loadsfor forest soils need to allow for differences in N storagecapacity and nitrification potential.     

Functional role of DNRA and nitrite reduction in a pristine south Chilean <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothofagus</Emphasis> forest

Nitrite (NO₂ ⁻) is an intermediate in a variety of soil N cycling processes. However, NO₂ ⁻ dynamics are often not included in studies that explore the N cycle in soil. Within the presented study, nitrite dynamics were investigated in a Nothofagus betuloides forest on an Andisol in southern Chile. We carried out a ¹⁵N tracing study with six ¹⁵N labeling treatments, including combinations of NO₃ ⁻, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₂ ⁻. Gross N transformation rates were quantified with a ¹⁵N tracing model in combination with a Markov chain Monte Carlo optimization routine. Our results indicate the occurrence of functional links between (1) NH₄ ⁺ oxidation, the main process for NO₂ ⁻ production (nitritation), and NO₂ ⁻ reduction, and (2) oxidation of soil organic N, the dominant NO₃ ⁻ production process in this soil, and dissimilatory NO₃ ⁻ reduction to NH₄ ⁺ (DNRA). The production of NH₄ ⁺ via DNRA was approximately ten times higher than direct mineralization from recalcitrant soil organic matter. Moreover, the rate of DNRA was several magnitudes higher than the rate of other NO₃ ⁻ reducing processes, indicating that DNRA is able to outcompete denitrification, which is most likely not an important process in this ecosystem. These functional links are most likely adaptations of the microbial community to the prevailing pedo-climatic conditions of this Nothofagus ecosystem.     

Nitrification inhibitors

Summary The effects of furano compounds, furfural (furfuraldehyde) and furfuryl alcohol (5, 10, 20 and 30% of N applied) on nitrification of ammonium sulfate and urea N were studied in a sandy clay loam in laboratory. Both furfural and furfuryl alcohol significantly retarded the nitrification rates of both the fertilizers by inhibiting the conversion of NH₄ ⁺ to NO₂ ^- without affecting the oxidation of NO₂ ^- to NO₃ ^--N. 10, 20 and 30% concentrations of the compounds were effective up to 75 days with ammonium sulfate but more or less up to 45 days with urea. re]19760322     

Effects of Ammonium Nutrition on Water Stress, Water Uptake, and Root Pressure in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill

Ammonium (NH₄⁺) nutrition inhibits water uptake and root exudation and decreases leaf water potential of tomato plants grown in solution culture. This inhibition is readily reversible by NO₃⁻ for short term exposures to NH₄⁺; however, recovery is delayed following long term exposures.     

The effect of the source of inorganic nitrogen on growth and enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in soybean and wheat cells in suspension cultures

Summary Soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Mandarin) and wheat (Triticum monococcum L.) cells were grown in media with NO₃ ^- plus NH₄ ⁺ (B₅) and NO₃ ^- without NH₄ ⁺ (B₅-NH₄) as nitrogen sources. Changes in pH, [NO₃ ^-] and [NH₄ ⁺] in media, and dry weight, protein content, nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in the cells were followed for about 170 h. With both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- in the medium, NH₄ ⁺ was utilized very quickly. Soybean cells grew poorly in the absence of NH₄ ⁺ while wheat cells grew equally well on media with or without NH₄ ⁺. When soybean cells were grown in medium with NO₃ ^- plus NH₄ ⁺, dry weight and NR activity remained relatively low for several hours after which both increased rapidly. This coincided with the time NH₄ ⁺ was depleted from the medium. In the absence of NH₄ ⁺, soybean cell growth and NR activity remained low. NR activity in wheat cells, and GDH activity in soybean and wheat cells, did not vary significantly in the presence or absence of NH₄ ⁺.This work was supported by a grant in aid of research from the National Research Council of Canada to one of us (J. K.). NRCC No. 12521.