百里香无性系的克隆生长特征

植物克隆生长及其与生态适应性的关系是当今植物种群生态学研究的热点和前沿课题,但目前小半灌木克隆生长的研究开展不多。百里香(Thymus serpyllum var. asiaticus)是一种具有地面匍匐茎的草本状小半灌木,可在土壤侵蚀剧烈、基岩大面积裸露的砒砂岩区形成百里香单优群落,在维持生态系统稳定方面具有重要的生态学作用。皇甫川流域是砒砂岩大面积分布的典型区域,在这一地区对百里香无性系的克隆生长进行研究,不仅具有重要的学术价值,而且在生态环境建设方面也具有一定的现实意义。在皇甫川流域选择含三级分株的百里香无性系,对其各级分株的总生物量、各构件生物量及数量、各构件生物量占总生物量的百分比及其月变化进行了研究。结果表明: 1)母株与子代相比,在总生物量、构件生物量及数量上占有绝对优势,而且具有体型大、结构复杂的特点; 2)对生物量分配格局的研究显示,母株根的生物量在总生物量中所占的比例最大,其叶所占的比例较低。子代叶的生物量在总生物量中所占的比例最大,其根所占的比例较低;3)不同级别分株在生物量分配上的差异,揭示了相互连接的分株在功能上的差别,母株可能更侧重于养分和水分的吸收,子株则更侧重于光合生产;4)构件枝、茎、花生物量分配比月变化显示,子1代各构件的生长规律与母株的基本一致,子2代与母株和子1代的相比差异较大,分析认为这可能是分株间不同程度的生理整合作用造成的结果。     

Growth responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix gracilistyla</Emphasis> cuttings to a range of substrate moisture and oxygen availability

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of substrate moisture and oxygen availability on growth traits of Salix gracilistyla Miquel, which colonizes gravel bars along rivers, the shoot growth schedule, biomass production, and resource allocation were examined under greenhouse conditions. We used four treatments representing a range of substrate moisture and oxygen availability: drought (D), flooding with standing water (FS), flooding with running water (FR), and control without drought or flooding (C). Cuttings in D stopped flushing and had low biomass production, reduced total leaf mass, and small leaves. Under anaerobic conditions, cuttings in FS stopped flushing and had low biomass production, small root biomass, low biomass allocation to roots, shallow roots, high biomass allocation to hypertrophied lenticels, and a few small, thick leaves. Under aerobic conditions, cuttings in FR showed continuous branch elongation and flushing, large biomass production, and large leaf biomass, similar to cuttings in C, in addition to low allocation to hypertrophied lenticels and many large leaves. The growth of cuttings was not inhibited by flooding of the roots throughout the experiment unless the conditions were anaerobic. Thus, cuttings respond to water stress under low moisture conditions by reducing the transpiration area and respond to flooding under low oxygen conditions by high allocation to hypertrophied lenticels and reduced transpiration area. Plasticity in the shoot growth schedule, biomass production, and resource allocation according to moisture conditions and the ability to develop hypertrophied lenticels upon flooding allow S. gracilistyla to colonize sites in which both desiccation and flooding occur.     

Volatile communication between barley plants affects biomass allocation

Patterns of biomass allocation between different plant organs have often been used to explain the response of plants to variations in resource availability. This paper reports how aerial allelopathy (plant-plant communication) affects biomass allocation, that is the trade-off between root, stem and leaves, and also relative growth rate (RGR, increase in biomass per unit biomass per unit of time, mg g-1 d-1) and its components. Based on previous experiments, communication between two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (Alva and Kara) was used for the present study. Kara exposed to volatiles from Alva allocated significantly more biomass to roots compared with Kara exposed to volatiles from Kara or to clean air. There was no significant difference between plants of Kara exposed to volatiles from Kara and those exposed to clean air. Changes in total dry weight (TDW), RGR and unit leaf rate (ULR, increase in biomass per unit time and leaf area, kg m-2 d-1) were not significantly affected by plant-plant communication. However, there was a significant increase in specific leaf area (SLA, leaf area per leaf dry weight, m2 kg-1) in Kara when exposed to volatiles from Alva. The results show that aerial plant-plant communication does not affect total biomass production but does significantly affect biomass allocation in individual plants. There may be differences in the volatile profiles of Kara and Alva that induce increased biomass allocation to roots in the Kara plants exposed to volatiles from Alva.     

Distinguishing the biomass allocation variance resulting from ontogenetic drift or acclimation to soil texture

In resource-poor environments, adjustment in plant biomass allocation implies a complex interplay between environmental signals and plant development rather than a delay in plant development alone. To understand how environmental factors influence biomass allocation or the developing phenotype, it is necessary to distinguish the biomass allocations resulting from environmental gradients or ontogenetic drift. Here, we compared the development trajectories of cotton plants (Gossypium herbaceum L.), which were grown in two contrasting soil textures during a 60-d period. Those results distinguished the biomass allocation pattern resulting from ontogenetic drift and the response to soil texture. The soil texture significantly changed the biomass allocation to leaves and roots, but not to stems. Soil texture also significantly changed the development trajectories of leaf and root traits, but did not change the scaling relationship between basal stem diameter and plant height. Results of nested ANOVAs of consecutive plant-size categories in both soil textures showed that soil gradients explained an average of 63.64-70.49% of the variation of biomass allocation to leaves and roots. Ontogenetic drift explained 77.47% of the variation in biomass allocation to stems. The results suggested that the environmental factors governed the biomass allocation to roots and leaves, and ontogenetic drift governed the biomass allocation to stems. The results demonstrated that biomass allocation to metabolically active organs (e.g., roots and leaves) was mainly governed by environmental factors, and that biomass allocation to metabolically non-active organs (e.g., stems) was mainly governed by ontogenetic drift. We concluded that differentiating the causes of development trajectories of plant traits was important to the understanding of plant response to environmental gradients.     

Carbon allocation to shoots and roots in relation to nitrogen supply is mediated by cytokinins and sucrose: Opinion

In this paper we firstly show some general responses of biomass partitioning upon nitrogen deprivation. Secondly, these responses are explained in terms of allocation of carbon and nitrogen, photosynthesis and respiration, using a simulation model. Thirdly, we present a hypothesis for the regulation of biomass partitioning to shoots and roots.Shortly after nitrogen deprivation, the relative growth rate (RGR) of the roots generally increases and thereafter decreases, whereas that of the shoot decreases immediately. The increased RGR of the root and decreased RGR of the shoot shortly after a reduction in the nitrogen supply, cause the root weight ratio (root weight per unit plant weight) to increase rapidly.We showed previously that allocation of carbon and nitrogen to shoots and roots can satisfactorily be described as a function of the internal organic plant nitrogen concentration. Using these functions in a simulation model, we analyzed why the relative growth rate of the roots increases shortly after a reduction in nitrogen supply. The model predicts that upon nitrogen deprivation, the plant nitrogen concentration and the rate of photosynthesis per unit plant weight rapidly decrease, and the allocation of recently assimilated carbon and nitrogen to roots rapidly increases. Simulations show that the increased relative growth rate of the root upon nitrogen deprivation is explained by decreased use of carbon for root respiration, due to decreased carbon costs for nitrogen uptake. The stimulation of the relative growth rate of the root is further amplified by the increased allocation of carbon and nitrogen to roots. Using the simple relation between the plant nitrogen concentration and allocation, the model describes plant responses quite realistically.Based on information in the literature and on our own experiments we hypothesize that allocation of carbon is mediated by sucrose and cytokinins. We propose that nitrogen deprivation leads to a reduced cytokinin production, a decreased rate of cytokinin export from the roots to the shoot, and decreased cytokinin concentrations. A reduced cytokinin concentration in the shoot represses cell division in leaves, whereas a low cytokinin concentration in roots neutralizes the inhibitory effect of cytokinins on cell division. A reduced rate of cell division in the leaves leads to a reduced unloading of sucrose from the phloem into the expanding cells. Consequently, the sucrose concentration in the phloem nearby the expanding cells increases, leading to an increase in turgor pressure in the phloem nearby the leaf's division zone. In the roots, cell division continues and no accumulation of sugars occurs in dividing cells, leading to only marginal changes in osmotic potential and turgor pressure in the phloem nearby the root's cell division zone. These changes in turgor pressure in the phloem of roots and sink leaves affect the turgor pressure gradients between source leaf-sink leaf and source leaf-root in such a way that relatively more carbohydrates are exported to the roots. As a consequence RWR increases after nitrogen deprivation. This hypothesis also explains the strong relationship between allocation and the plant nitrogen status.     

放牧退化群落中冷蒿种群生物量资源分配的变化

对放牧退化群落中冷蒿种群生物量及生物量资源分配的变化进行了研究.结果表明,在放牧干扰下,随着放牧退化程度的增加,冷蒿种群叶、茎、根的生物量及总生物量增加.其中根的重量增加幅度较大,但生殖构件(花序、果实)的生物量在轻度退化群落中增加,中度退化群落中迅速减少,重度退化群落中未发现生殖构件.随着放牧退化程度增加,冷蒿种群生物量的资源分配发生变化,对根的分配增加,对茎、叶的分配减少,根冠比增加;对无性繁殖的分配增加,对有性生殖的分配减少.在重度退化群落,冷蒿有性生殖严重受阻,繁殖格局发生变化.从资源分配的动态来看,随着放牧退化程度的增加,生长初期至盛期,冷蒿种群资源优先分配给地上部分,尤其是光合器官叶;而生长盛期至末期,资源优先分配给有性生殖或贮藏器官.繁殖格局的转变是冷蒿种群耐牧,在重度退化下成为建群种的关键.资源分配格局的时空变化,使生长、维持和繁殖等方面的分配达到和谐,是冷蒿种群在重度退化下成为建群种的物质基础.     

N uptake and distribution in crops: an agronomical and ecophysiological perspective

The rate of N uptake of crops is highly variable during crop development and between years and sites. However, under ample soil N availability, crop N accumulation is highly related to crop growth rate and to biomass accumulation. Critical N concentration has been defined as the minimum N concentration which allows maximum growth rate. Critical N concentration declines during crop growth. The relationship between critical N concentration and biomass accumulation over the growth period of a crop is broadly similar within major C(3) and C(4) cultivated species. Therefore, the critical N concentration concept is widely used in agronomy as the basis of the diagnosis of crop N status, and allows discrimination between situations of sub-optimal and supra-optimal N supply. The relationship between N and biomass accumulation in crops, relies on the interregulation of multiple crop physiological processes. Among these processes, N uptake, crop C assimilation and thus growth rate, and C and N allocation between organs and between plants, play a particular role. Under sub-optimal N supply, N uptake of the crop depends on soil mineral N availability and distribution, and on root distribution. Under ample N supply, N uptake largely depends on growth rate via internal plant regulation. Carbon assimilation of the crop is related to crop N through the distribution of N between mature leaves with consequences for leaf and canopy photosynthesis. However, although less commonly emphasized, carbon assimilation of the crop also depends on crop N through leaf area development. Therefore, crop growth rate fundamentally relies on the balance of N allocation between growing and mature leaves. Nitrogen uptake and distribution also depends on C allocation between organs and N composition of these organs. Within shoots, allocation of C to stems generally increases in relation to C allocation to the leaves over the crop growth period. Allocation of C and N between shoots and roots also changes to a large extent in relation to soil N and/or crop N. These alterations in C and N allocation between plant organs have implications, together with soil availability and carbon assimilation, on N uptake and distribution in crops. Therefore, N uptake and distribution in plants and crops involves many aspects of growth and development. Regulation of nitrogen assimilation needs to be considered in the context of these interregulatory processes.     

不同刈牧强度对冷蒿生长与资源分配的影响

利用野外实验与盆栽实验,对不同刈牧强度下冷蒿生长与资源分配影响的研究结果表明,按比例刈割冷篙的再生生长大于留茬高度刈割,在生长季前期,不刈割冷蒿净生长高于刈割处理,而进入生长季中后期(8月中旬以后),轻度刈割净生长高于不刈割处理,冷篙种群生物量分配的总体格局是根>叶>茎,刈牧明显影响冷蒿生物量分配格局,尤其是叶和花的分配,3／4刈割或留茬4cm刈割叶生物量分配显著高于其它各处理,而花的生物量及其分配显著低于其它处理,根、茎生物量分配各处理间差异不显著．冷蒿有性生殖分配随刈牧强度的增加而降低,繁殖方式发生了改变,优先将光合产物分配给再生茎以及繁殖方式转向营养繁殖,通过克隆生长维持和扩大种群是冷蒿对强度放牧的生态适应对策。     

Copper-induced alteration in sucrose partitioning and its relationship to the root growth of two Elsholtzia haichowensis Sun populations

Hydroponic culture was used to comparatively investigate the copper (Cu)-induced alteration to sucrose metabolism and biomass allocation in two Elsholtzia haichowensis Sun populations with one from a Cu-contaminated site (CS) and the other from a non-contaminated site (NCS). Experimental results revealed that biomass allocation preferred roots over shoots in CS population, and shoots over roots in NCS population under Cu exposure. The difference in biomass allocation was correlated with the difference in sucrose partitioning between the two populations. Cu treatment (45 μM) significantly decreased leaf sucrose content and increased root sucrose content in CS population as a result of the increased activities of leaf sucrose synthesis enzymes (sucrose phosphate synthetase and sucrose synthase) and root sucrose cleavage enzyme (vacuolar invertase), which led to increased sucrose transport from leaves to roots. In contrast, higher Cu treatment increased sucrose content in leaves and decreased sucrose content in roots in NCS population as a result of the decreased activities of root sucrose cleavage enzymes (vacuolar and cell wall invertases) that led to less sucrose transport from leaves to roots. These results provide important insights into carbon resource partitioning and biomass allocation strategies in metallophytes and are beneficial for the implementation of phytoremediation techniques.     

The effect of allometric partitioning on herbivory tolerance in four species in South China

Herbivory tolerance can offset the negative effects of herbivory on plants and plays an important role in both immigration and population establishment. Biomass reallocation is an important potential mechanism of herbivory tolerance. To understand how biomass allocation affects plant herbivory tolerance, it is necessary to distinguish the biomass allocations resulting from environmental gradients or plant growth. There is generally a tight balance between the amounts of biomass invested in different organs, which must be analyzed by means of an allometric model. The allometric exponent is not affected by individual growth and can reflect the changes in biomass allocation patterns of different parts. Therefore, the allometric exponent was chosen to study the relationship between biomass allocation pattern and herbivory tolerance. We selected four species (Wedelia chinensis, Wedelia trilobata, Merremia hederacea, and Mikania micrantha), two of which are invasive species and two of which are accompanying native species, and established three herbivory levels (0%, 25% and 50%) to compare differences in allometry. The biomass allocation in stems was negatively correlated with herbivory tolerance, while that in leaves was positively correlated with herbivory tolerance. Furthermore, the stability of the allometric exponent was related to tolerance, indicating that plants with the ability to maintain their biomass allocation patterns are more tolerant than those without this ability, and the tendency to allocate biomass to leaves rather than to stems or roots helps increase this tolerance. The allometric exponent was used to remove the effects of individual development on allocation pattern, allowing the relationship between biomass allocation and herbivory tolerance to be more accurately explored. This research used an allometric model to fit the nonlinear process of biomass partitioning during the growth and development of plants and provides a new understanding of the relationship between biomass allocation and herbivory tolerance.     

Effects of applied gibberellic acid and paclobutrazol on leaf expansion and biomass allocation in two Aegilops species with contrasting leaf elongation rates

The role of gibberellin (GA) in leaf elongation has long been known, however, its involvement in whole shoot growth and biomass allocation is much less clear. We studied the effects of exogenously supplied GA₃ and paclobutrazol, an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis, on these processes in Aegilops caudata and Aegilops tauschii , species with contrasting leaf growth characteristics. In both species, addition of GA₃ increased leaf elongation rate (LER) through its promoting effect on both cell size and cell number, while paclobutrazol decreased it. Similarly, GA₃ increased biomass allocation to the leaves, mainly leaf sheaths, at the cost of allocation to the roots, whereas paclobutrazol had the opposite effect in both species. Despite the increase in LER and biomass allocation to the shoot upon GA₃ application, the relative growth rate (RGR) remained constant. Specific leaf area (SLA) was only temporarily affected by GA₃ addition. Our results show that the inherent differences in LER and biomass allocation between the slow-elongating A. caudata and the fast-elongating A. tauschii are considerably reduced by the exogenous supply of GA₃ to the slow-elongating species, or paclobutrazol to the fast-elongating one. This suggests a role for gibberellins in explaining inherent differences in leaf area expansion and biomass allocation between the two species in this study.     

Growth rate, plant development and water relations of the ABA-deficient tomato mutant sitiens

Given the close relationship between a plant's growth rate and its pattern of biomass allocation and the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on biomass allocation, we studied the influence of ABA on biomass allocation and growth rate of wildtype tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Moneymaker) plants and their strongly ABA-deficient mutant sitiens. The relative growth rate of sitiens was 22% lower than that of the wildtype, as the result of a decreased specific leaf area. The net assimilation rate and the leaf weight ratio were not affected. The mutant showed a much higher transpiration rate and lower hydraulic conductance of the roots. These two factors resulted in sitiens having a significantly lower leaf water potential and turgor. resulting in reduced leaf expansion and, consequently, a lower specific leaf area relative to the wildtype. Addition of ABA to the sitiens roots resulted in phenotypic reversion to the wildtype. We conclude that the influence of ABA-deficiency on biomass allocation and relative growth rate is the result of altered water relations in the plants, rather than of a direct effect on sink strength of different plant organs.     

Relative growth rate, biomass allocation pattern and water use efficiency of three wheat cultivars during early ontogeny as dependent on water availability

We have investigated the water use efficiency of whole plants and selected leaves and allocation patterns of three wheat cultivars (Mexipak, Nesser and Katya) to explore how variation in these traits can contribute to the ability to grow in dry environments. The cultivars exhibited considerable differences in biomass allocation and water use efficiency. Cultivars with higher growth rates of roots and higher proportions of biomass in roots (Nesser and Katya) also had higher leaf growth rates, higher proportions of their biomass as leaves and higher leaf area ratios. These same cultivars had lower rates of transpiration per unit leaf area or unit root weight and higher biomass production per unit water use. They also had higher ratios of photosynthesis to transpiration, and lower ratios of intercellular to external CO₂ partial pressure. The latter resulted from large differences in stomatal conductance associated with relatively small differences in rates of photosynthesis. There was little variation between cultivars in response to drought, and differences in allocation pattern and plant water use efficiency between cultivars as found under well-watered conditions persisted under dry conditions. At the end of the non-watered treatment, relative growth rates and transpiration rates decreased to similar values for all cultivars. High ratios of photosynthesis to transpiration, and accordingly high biomass production per unit of transpiration, is regarded as a favourable trait for dry environments, since more efficient use of water postpones the decrease in plant water status.     

Relative growth rate, biomass allocation pattern and water use efficiency of three wheat cultivars during early ontogeny as dependent on water availability

We have investigated the water use efficiency of whole plants and selected leaves and allocation patterns of three wheat cultivars (Mexipak, Nesser and Katya) to explore how variation in these traits can contribute to the ability to grow in dry environments. The cultivars exhibited considerable differences in biomass allocation and water use efficiency. Cultivars with higher growth rates of roots and higher proportions of biomass in roots (Nesser and Katya) also had higher leaf growth rates, higher proportions of their biomass as leaves and higher leaf area ratios. These same cultivars had lower rates of transpiration per unit leaf area or unit root weight and higher biomass production per unit water use. They also had higher ratios of photosynthesis to transpiration, and lower ratios of intercellular to external CO₂ partial pressure. The latter resulted from large differences in stomatal conductance associated with relatively small differences in rates of photosynthesis. There was little variation between cultivars in response to drought, and differences in allocation pattern and plant water use efficiency between cultivars as found under well-watered conditions persisted under dry conditions. At the end of the non-watered treatment, relative growth rates and transpiration rates decreased to similar values for all cultivars. High ratios of photosynthesis to transpiration, and accordingly high biomass production per unit of transpiration, is regarded as a favourable trait for dry environments, since more efficient use of water postpones the decrease in plant water status.     

Effects of Aspect on Clonal Reproduction and Biomass Allocation of Layering Modules of Nitraria tangutorum in Nebkha Dunes

The formation of many nebkha dunes relies on the layering of clonal plants. The microenvironmental conditions of such phytogenic nebkha are heterogeneous depending on the aspect and slope. Exploring the effects of aspect on clonal reproduction and biomass allocation can be useful in understanding the ecological adaptation of species. We hypothesized that on the windward side layering propagation would be promoted, that biomass allocation to leaves and stems of ramets would increase, and that the effects of aspect would be greater in the layering with larger biomass. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed the depth of germination points of axillary buds, the rate of ramet sprouting, the density of adventitious root formation points, and the biomass of modules sprouting from layering located on the NE, SE, SW and NW, aspects of Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas. The windward side was located on the NW and SW aspects. The results indicated that conditions of the NW aspect were more conducive to clonal reproduction and had the highest rate of ramet sprouting and the highest density of adventitious formation points. For the modules sprouting from layering on the SW aspect, biomass allocation to leaves and stems was greatest with biomass allocation to adventitious roots being lowest. This result supported our hypothesis. Contrary to our hypothesis, the effects of aspect were greater in layering of smaller biomass. These results support the hypothesis that aspect does affect layering propagation capacity and biomass allocation in this species. Additionally, clonal reproduction and biomass allocation of modules sprouting from layering with smaller biomass was more affected by aspect. These results suggest that the clonal growth of N. tangutorum responses to the microenvironmental heterogeneity that results from aspect of the nebkha.     

陡坡地毛竹林多花黄精种群生长和生物量分配的坡位效应

为了给毛竹（Phyllostachys edulis（Carr.） H. de Lehaie）林下多花黄精(Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua.)复合经营提供理论依据,以林分结构基本一致的陡坡地粗放经营毛竹纯林为对象,调查分析了同一面坡的上坡位、中坡位、下坡位毛竹林下多花黄精种群生长状况和生物量积累与分配规律。结果表明：不同坡位毛竹林下多花黄精种群密度、叶片叶绿素值和叶、根生物量积累及叶、根、地下块茎生物量分配比例均无显著差异。多花黄精株高下坡位、上坡位差异不显著,均显著地高于中坡位。地径下坡位、中坡位差异不显著,均显著地低于上坡位。地上茎生物量中坡位、上坡位无显著差异,均显著地低于下坡位。地下块茎生物量、总生物量积累下坡位显著地高于中坡位,均与上坡位差异不显著。地上茎生物量分配比例下坡位显著地高于上坡位,均与中坡位差异不显著。不同坡位毛竹林下多花黄精生物量分配格局均为地下块茎>根>叶≈地上茎,地下块茎生物量分配比例占70%以上,显著大于生物量分配较为均匀的其它器官。毛竹林下多花黄精种群生长和生物量积累与分配存在着较为明显的坡位效应,在试验毛竹林林分结构和经营水平条件下,宜选择下坡位进行毛竹多花黄精复合经营。     

酸雨和采食模拟胁迫下克隆整合对空心莲子草生长的影响

研究表明克隆整合可以显著提升异质环境中克隆植物的生长,然而当克隆植物遭受均质环境压力时,整合对植物生长影响的研究相对较少。本文以典型入侵克隆植物空心莲子草（Alternanthera philoxeroides）为例,研究均质环境压力酸雨和采食模拟胁迫对空心莲子草生长的影响,以及克隆整合在空心莲子草适应不利环境过程中所起的作用。酸雨设3种浓度梯度：pH值3.5 、pH值4.5和 pH值6.5（对照）;采食设3种水平：不去叶、去叶50%和去叶90%;整合水平：匍匐茎切断和连接。结果表明：无论保持或切断匍匐茎的连接,酸雨处理都不影响空心莲子草生物量。当保持匍匐茎连接时,pH值4.5酸雨处理增加了空心莲子草匍匐茎长度和分株数目,因此,低度酸雨可能对空心莲子草生长有一定的促进作用。同样,无论匍匐茎是否被切断,采食处理都显著降低了空心莲子草克隆片段生物量,而显著增加了叶片数目。当切断匍匐茎连接时,采食处理使空心莲子草分株数目显著增加。本文得出的结论是：空心莲子草能较好地适应酸雨和采食的环境压力,当空心莲子草全部克隆分株遭受均质环境胁迫时,克隆整合并不能显著改善它的生长。     

Influence of cucumber mosaic virus infection on the growth response of Portulaca oleracea (purslane) and Stellaria media (chickweed) to nitrogen availability

The study characterized the influence of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) on the growth response of two annual weeds to nitrogen. Plants were grown individually along a N gradient from 4 to 32 mmol l⁻¹ and data were interpreted using growth analysis. Plant biomass increased with N concentration and was significantly higher for healthy than infected plants at the two highest N concentrations. Healthy plants of Portulaca oleracea L. were characterized by lower biomass allocation to leaves and higher biomass allocation to roots than infected plants; no change in biomass allocation was recorded for Stellaria media Vill. Relative growth rate ( rgr ), net assimilation rate ( nar ) and specific leaf area ( sla ) of plants increased with increasing N concentration. Healthy plants of P. oleracea were characterized by a higher rgr and nar and a lower sla than infected plants, whereas healthy S. media had a higher rgr but a similar nar and sla or leaf weight ratio ( lwr ) compared with infected plants. The consequences of these results on the population dynamics of weeds and virus spread are discussed.     

Controls of biomass partitioning between roots and shoots: Atmospheric CO2 enrichment and the acquisition and allocation of carbon and nitrogen in wild radish

Summary The effects of CO₂ enrichment on plant growth, carbon and nitrogen acquisition and resource allocation were investigated in order to examine several hypotheses about the mechanisms that govern dry matter partitioning between shoots and roots. Wild radish plants (Raphanus sativus × raphanistrum) were grown for 25 d under three different atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (200 ppm, 330 ppm and 600 ppm) with a stable hydroponic 150 mol 1^–1 nitrate supply. Radish biomass accumulation, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, nitrogen per unit leaf area, and starch and soluble sugar levels in leaves increased with increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration, whereas specific leaf area and nitrogen concentration of leaves significantly decreased. Despite substantial changes in radish growth, resource acquisition and resource partitioning, the rate at which leaves accumulated starch over the course of the light period and the partitioning of biomass between roots and shoots were not affected by CO₂ treatment. This phenomenon was consistent with the hypothesis that root/shoot partitioning is related to the daily rate of starch accumulation by leaves during the photoperiod, but is inconsistent with hypotheses suggesting that root/shoot partitioning is controlled by some aspect of plant C/N balance.     

The modular character of growth in Nicotiana tabacum plants under steady-state nutrition

The impact of different plant growth rates on biomass allocation and growth distribution in tobacco was studied on the whole plant, total leaf area and single leaf level. On the whole plant level, constant relationships were found between the total leaf area and the biomass allocation to leaves and the nonphotosynthetic organs (roots and stem) independent from the overall growth rate and the nutrient addition rate to the plants. On the level of total leaf area, plants grown at lower nutrient supply reached a distinct distribution of leaf area later than those grown at higher nutrient supply, but the normalized distribution of leaf area along the stem at a certain plant size did not differ between plants growing at different nutrient supply and growth rates. On the leaf blade level, growth rates declined, initially linearly, from the leaf base to the leaf tip. Distinct gradients within the side veins were not observed, but the growth rates of the side veins were closely correlated to the adjacent mid-vein segments. These gradients flattened with increasing size of the leaf. The modular character of growth in tobacco is discussed in the context of basic growth analysis and as a framework for physiological, cytological, biochemical, and molecular studies in growing plants.Key words: Nicotiana tabacum, whole plant, total leaf area, leaf growth, growth rate, biomass.