Soil nitrogen form and plant nitrogen uptake along a boreal forest productivity gradient

We present results from a study of soil solution concentrations of ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrate (NO₃^-), and amino acid N over one growing season along a local 90-m-long plant productivity gradient in a boreal forest. Three forest types are found along the gradient: an ericaceous dwarf-shrub type between 0 and 40 m, a low-herb type between 40 and 80 m, and a tall-herb type at 90 m. Soil sampling of the mor layer was performed in June, July, August and October in the three forest types. In addition, plant uptake of NH₄⁺, NO₃^- and the amino acid glycine was investigated. A mixture of the three N forms was injected into the soil; one N form at a time was labeled with ¹⁵N, and in the case of glycine also with ¹³C. In the dwarf-shrub forest, where plant productivity was low, the soil N pool was strongly dominated by amino acid N. There, plants took up more NH₄⁺ than NO₃^-. Glycine uptake did not differ significantly from either NH₄⁺ or NO₃^- uptake. Along the gradient, soil concentrations of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- increased, as did plant productivity. In the low-herb forest NH₄⁺ comprised a major portion of the soil N pool, and plants took up more NH₄⁺ than NO₃^- or glycine. In the tall-herb forest, NO₃^- was as abundant as NH₄⁺, and together these two N forms dominated the soil N pool. Here, plants took up nearly equal amounts of NO₃^- and NH₄⁺, and this uptake exceeded that of glycine severalfold. Apart from the overall preference for NH₄⁺ that plants exhibited throughout the gradient, the results show a correlation between soil concentrations of amino acids and NO₃^- and plant preferences for these N forms.     

Variation in nitrogen-15 natural abundance and nitrogen uptake traits among co-occurring alpine species: do species partition by nitrogen form?

In the N-limited alpine tundra, plants may utilize a diversity of N sources (organic and inorganic N) in order to meet their nutritional requirements. To characterize species-level differences in traits related to N acquisition, we analyzed foliar '¹⁵N, nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and mycorrhizal infection in co-occurring alpine species during the first half of the growing season and compared these traits to patterns of N uptake using a ¹⁵N (¹⁵N-NH₄⁺, ¹⁵N-NO₃^-) or ¹³C,¹⁵N ([1]-¹³C-¹⁵N-glycine) tracer addition in the greenhouse. ¹³C enrichment in belowground tissue indicated that all species were capable of taking up labeled glycine, although only one species showed uptake of glycine potentially exceeding that of inorganic N. Species showing the most depleted foliar '¹⁵N and elevated NRA in the field also tended to show relatively high rates of NO₃^- uptake in the greenhouse. Likewise, species showing the most enriched foliar '¹⁵N also showed high rates of NH₄⁺ uptake. The ratio of NO₃^-:NH₄⁺ uptake rates and growth rate explained 64% and 72% of the variance in foliar '¹⁵N, respectively, suggesting that species differ in the ability to take up NO₃^- and NH₄⁺ in the field and that such differences may enable species to partition soil N on the basis of N form.     

施N对不同水稻品种N肥利用率及根际硝化作用和硝化微生物的影响

发生在水稻根际的硝化作用对水稻的氮素（N）营养受到人们越来越大的关注。在田间条件下研究了不同N效率粳稻品种（4007、武运粳7号和Elio）在无肥（0kgN/hm^2）、中肥（180kgN/hm^2）和高肥（300kgN/hm^2）水平下籽粒产量、吸N量、N肥利用率、根际土壤铵态氮（NH4^＋-N）和硝态氮（NO3^--N）含量、硝化强度和氨氧化细菌（AOB）数量。结果表明不同水稻品种的籽粒产量在3个N处理中差异极显著,4007在中肥处理中获得最高产量11117kg/hm^2,而Eilo在所有处理中籽粒产量均最低。各品种地上部吸N量随施N量增加而增加,但各品种之间差异不显著。不同水稻品种N肥利用率差异显著,4007显著高于武运粳7号和Elio。本试验根据不同品种水稻在不施N肥水平下的籽粒产量与N肥利用率的大小,将3个品种分为N肥高效敏感型（4007）、N肥高效不敏感型（武运粳7号）和N肥低效不敏感型（Elio）。在水稻中后期干湿交替的水分管理条件下,无肥和中肥区的水稻根际土壤以NO3^--N为主;而在高肥区则以NH4^＋-N为主。随着施N量增加,水稻根际土壤铵、硝态N含量也随之增加。NH4^＋-N含量在无肥、中肥和高肥水平下分别为0.88、0.94mg/kg和13.5mg/kg,而NO3^--N含量分别为1.61、1.73mg/kg和2.33mg/kg。不同水稻品种根际土壤硝化强度之间差异极显著,在3个施N水平下均表现为4007〉武运粳7号〉Elio。其平均值分别为6.94、5.46μg/（kg·h）和2.42μg/（kg·h）。在3个施N水平下,Elio根际土壤AOB数量均显著低于4007和武运粳7号。4007根际土壤AOB数量在高肥水平下达最大值2.02×106个/g土,而最小值为中肥水平下Elio的根际土壤（1.89×105个/g土）。相关性分析表明,水稻根际土壤硝化强度在无肥、中肥和高肥条件下与产量呈极显著正相关关系（r=0.799,0.877,0.934）,而且在中肥条件下与水稻N肥利用率显著相关（r=0.735）。水稻根际土壤AOB数量分别和硝化强度以及水稻籽粒产量呈极显著正相关关系。试验结果表明,水稻根际的硝化作用较大程度上决定着水稻籽粒产量或水稻N肥利用率。     

Nitrogen mineralization and phenol accumulation along a fire chronosequence in northern Sweden

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests of northern Sweden are often considered to be N limited. This limitation may have been exacerbated by the elimination of wildfire as a natural disturbance factor in these boreal forests. Phenolic inhibition of N mineralization and nitrification (due to litter and exudates of ericaceous shrubs) has been proposed as a mechanism for N limitation of these forests, but this hypothesis remains largely untested. N mineralization rates, nitrification rates, and sorption of free phenolic compounds were assessed along a fire-induced chronosequence in northern Sweden. A total of 34 forest stands varying in age since the last fire were identified and characterized. Overstorey and understorey vegetative composition and depth of humus were analysed in replicated plots at all 34 sites. Eight of the forest stands aged 3-352 years since the last fire were selected for intensive investigation in which ten replicate ionic resin capsules (used to assess net N mineralization and nitrification) and non-ionic carbonaceous resin capsules (used to assess free phenolic compounds) were installed at the interface of humus and mineral soil. A highly significant correlation was observed between site age and net sorption of inorganic N to resin capsules. Net accumulation of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- on resin capsules followed a linear decrease (R²=0.61, P<0.01) with time perhaps as a result of increased N immobilization with successional C loading. NO₃^- sorption to resin capsules followed a logarithmic decrease (R²=0.80, P<0.01) that may be related to a logarithmic increase in dwarf shrub cover and decreased soil charcoal sorption potential along this chronosequence. A replicated field study was conducted at one of the late successional field sites to assess the influence of charcoal and an added labile N source on N turnover. Three rates of charcoal (0, 100, and 1,000 g M^-2) and two rates of glycine (0 and 50 g N as glycine M^-2) were applied in a factorial design to microplots in a randomized complete block pattern. Net ammonification (as assessed by NH₄⁺ sorption to resins) was readily increased by the addition of a labile N source, but this increase in NH₄⁺ did not stimulate nitrification. Nitrification was stimulated slightly by the addition of charcoal resulting in similar levels of resin-sorbed NO₃^- as those found in early successional sites. Resin-sorbed polyphenol concentrations were decreased with charcoal amendments, but were actually increased with N amendments (likely due to decomposition of polyphenols). Net N mineralization appears to be limited by rapid NH₄⁺ immobilization whereas nitrification is limited by the lack of an appropriate environment or by the presence of inhibitory compounds in late successional forests of northern Sweden.     

Effects of Prolonged Darkness on the Sensitivity of Leaf Respiration to Carbon Dioxide Concentration in C3and C4Species

Predicting responses of plant and global carbon balance to theincreasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphererequires an understanding of the response of plant respirationto carbon dioxide concentration ([CO₂]). Direct effects of thecarbon dioxide concentration at which rates of respiration ofplant tissue are measured are quite variable and their effectsremain controversial. One possible source of variation in responsivenessis the energy status of the tissue, which could influence thecontrol coefficients of enzymes, such as cytochrome-c oxidase,whose activity is sensitive to [CO₂]. In this study we comparedresponses of respiration rate to [CO₂] over the range of 60to 1000 µmol mol^-1in fully expanded leaves of four C₃andfour C₄herbaceous species. Responses were measured near themiddle of the normal 10 h dark period, and also after another24 h of darkness. On average, rates of respiration were reducedabout 70% by the prolonged dark period, and leaf dry mass perunit area decreased about 30%. In all species studied, the relativedecrease in respiration rate with increasing [CO₂] was largerafter prolonged darkness. In the C₃species, rates measured at1000 µmol mol^-1CO₂averaged 0.89 of those measured at 60µmol mol^-1in the middle of the normal dark period, and0.70-times when measured after prolonged darkness. In the C₄species,rates measured at 1000 µmol mol^-1CO₂averaged 0.79 of thoseat 60 µmol mol^-1CO₂in the middle of the normal dark period,and 0.51-times when measured after prolonged darkness. In threeof the C₃species and one of the C₄species, the decrease in theabsolute respiration rate between 60 and 1000 µmol mol^-1CO₂wasessentially the same in the middle of the normal night periodand after prolonged darkness. In the other species, the decreasein the absolute rate of respiration with increase in [CO₂] wassubstantially less after prolonged darkness than in the middleof the normal night period. These results indicated that increasingthe [CO₂] at the time of measurement decreased respiration inall species examined, and that this effect was relatively largerin tissues in which the respiration rate was substrate-limited.The larger relative effect of [CO₂] on respiration in tissuesafter prolonged darkness is evidence against a controlling roleof cytochrome-c oxidase in the direct effects of [CO₂] on respiration.Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Carbon dioxide, respiration, Abutilon theophrasti(L.), Amaranthus retroflexus(L.),Amaranthus hypochondriacus (L.), Datura stramonium(L.), Helianthus annuus(L.), Solanum melongena(L.), Sorghum bicolor(L. Moench), Zea mays     

氮肥施用时期及基追比例对土壤矿质氮含量时空变化及小麦产量和品质的影响

采用田间试验方法,研究了不同氮肥施用时期和基追比例对土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量变化及小麦产量和品质的影响.结果表明：土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量随着土层深度的增加而降低,不同氮肥施用时期和基追比例对0～20 cm土层土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量均有显著影响;与氮肥全部基施处理相比,氮肥施用时期后移和基追比例的增加,明显提高了氮肥吸收利用率,减少了小麦全生育期土壤氮素的表观盈余量,同时显著改善了小麦籽粒品质;但对籽粒产量影响不显著,孕穗期追施比例过大导致产量显著降低.在本试验条件下,综合考虑产量、品质和生态效益,以基肥∶拔节肥∶孕穗肥为5∶3∶2为最佳氮肥运筹方式.     

紫茎泽兰与非洲狗尾草单、混种群落土壤酶活性和土壤养分的比较

 植物对土壤有效养分的影响是植物竞争取胜的重要生态策略之一, 土壤酶活性对土壤有效养分的变化具有重要作用。该文研究了紫茎 泽兰(Ageratina adenophora)单种(A)、非洲狗尾草(Setaria sphacelata)单种(S)和两物种混种(A+S)群落4种重要的土壤酶活性和土壤养分的 变化及其规律, 并对土壤酶活性与土壤养分进行了相关分析。结果表明: 1)群落S土壤有效氮(NH₄⁺-N和NO₃^--N)含量高于群落A对应养分含量, 而与群落A＋S该养分含量没有显著差异; 群落S土壤有效磷和有效钾含量低于群落A对应指标, 而群落A＋S其含量最低。2)群落S、A+S和A土壤蛋 白酶和脲酶活性的高低次序分别为S>A＋S>A、A＋S>S>A; 群落A+S、S和A磷酸酶活性依次升高; 群落A+S、A和S蔗糖酶活性依次降低。3)在生长 过程中, 3类群落土壤NO₃^--N、有效磷和有效钾含量在生长初期(5月)最高, 随后逐渐降低; 土壤NH₄⁺-N含量呈现单峰趋势, 在生长后期(9月)最 高。3类群落土壤蛋白酶和蔗糖酶活性随生长时间推移而升高, 在生长末期(11月)最高; 土壤磷酸酶和脲酶酶活性在生长过程中呈现单峰趋势, 在生长旺盛期(7月)最高。3类群落间土壤酶活性与土壤肥力具有较一致的相关性。由此推断, 非洲狗尾草对土壤含氮化合物的活化能力比紫茎 泽兰强, 且在种间竞争中能够强烈抑制紫茎泽兰对土壤含磷、含钾化合物的活化能力是其竞争取胜的可能原因; 不同植物群落土壤酶活性的差 异是引起土壤有效养分变化的重要驱动机制之一。     

长期施肥及撂荒对土壤氮素矿化特性及外源硝态氮转化的影响

以黄土高原南部17年长期定位试验不同处理土壤为研究对象,研究了不同肥料处理及撂荒条件下土壤氮素矿化特性、灭菌与不灭菌条件下不同肥力土壤对施入外源硝态氮转化的影响.结果表明：氮磷钾化肥和有机肥配施（MNPK）及长期撂荒处理显著提高了土壤有机质和全氮含量以及土壤氮素矿化量和矿化率;氮磷钾化肥（NPK）处理虽然提高了土壤无机氮含量,但对土壤有机质、全氮、土壤氮素矿化量和矿化率的影响相对较小.高温高压灭菌显著增加了土壤铵态氮含量,但对不同处理土壤硝态氮含量无明显影响;在灭菌土壤培养过程中,土壤铵态氮含量呈显著增加趋势.同一土壤类型,不论灭菌与否,培养过程中施入土壤的硝态氮含量保持相对稳定,说明在本研究培养条件下,生物因素和非生物因素对外源硝态氮在土壤中的转化无明显影响.     

Elevated CO2 influences nutrient availability in young beech-spruce communities on two soil types

The objectives of this study were to investigate how different soil types and elevated N deposition (0.7 vs 7 g N m^-2a^-1) influence the effects of elevated CO₂ (370 vs 570 µmol CO₂ mol^-1) on soil nutrients and net accumulation of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn in spruce (Picea abies) and beech (Fagus sylvatica). Model ecosystems were established in large open-top chambers on two different forest soils: a nutrient-poor acidic loam and a nutrient-rich calcareous sand. The response of net nutrient accumulation to elevated atmospheric CO₂ depended upon soil type (interaction soil 2 CO₂, P<0.05 for N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn) and differed between spruce and beech. On the acidic loam, CO₂ enrichment suppressed net accumulation of all nutrients in beech (P<0.05 for P, S, Zn), but stimulated it for spruce (P<0.05 for Fe, Zn) On the nutrient-rich calcareous sand, increased atmospheric CO₂ enhanced nutrient accumulation in both species significantly. Increasing the N deposition did not influence the CO₂ effects on net nutrient accumulation with either soil. Under elevated atmospheric CO₂, the accumulation of N declined relative to other nutrients, as indicated by decreasing ratios of N to other nutrients in tree biomass (all ratios: P<0.001, except the N to S ratio). In both the soil and soil solution, elevated CO₂ did not influence concentrations of base cations and available P. Under CO₂ enrichment, concentrations of exchangeable NH₄⁺ decreased by 22% in the acidic loam and increased by 50% in the calcareous sand (soil 2 CO₂, P<0.001). NO₃^- concentrations decreased by 10-70% at elevated CO₂ in both soils (P<0.01).     

CO2浓度升高与氮沉降对南亚热带森林生态系统植物生物量积累及分配格局的影响

 CO₂浓度升高与氮沉降增加对陆地生态系统的耦合作用已成为全球变化的研究热点。应用大型开顶箱(OTC)人工控制手段研究了人工生态系统在1)高CO₂(700±20 μmol·mol^–1)+高氮沉降(100 kg N·hm^–2·a^–1)(CN); 2)高CO₂(700±20 μmol·mol^–1)+背景氮沉降(C＋); 3)高氮沉降(100 kg N· hm^–2·a^–1)＋背景CO₂(N＋); 4)背景CO₂＋背景氮沉降处理(CK) 4种处理条件下荷木 (Schima superba)、红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)、海南红豆(Ormosia pinnata)、肖蒲桃(Acmena acuminatissima)、红鳞蒲桃(Syzygium hancei)等主要南亚热带森林植物的生物量积累模式及其分配格局。连续近3年的实验结果表明: 不同处理条件下, 各参试植物生物量积累具有不同的响应特征, N＋处理显著促进荷木、肖蒲桃及红鳞蒲桃生物量的积累; C＋处理显著促进肖蒲桃、海南红豆生物量的积累; CN处理显著促进除红锥外其他物种生物量的积累, 并且具有两者单独处理的叠加效应。不同处理改变物种生物量的分配模式, N＋处理降低植物的根冠比, 促进地上部分生物量的积累; C＋处理增加红锥和红鳞蒲桃地下部分生物量的分配, 却促进荷木和海南红豆地上部分的积累; CN处理仅促进红磷蒲桃地下部分的积累。群落生物量的积累与分配格局取决于优势物种的生物量及其分配格局在群落中所占的权重。     

Acclimation of NO-3 fluxes to low root temperature by Brassica napus in relation to NO-3 supply

Acclimation of NO^–₃ transport fluxes (influx, efflux)in roots of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Bien venu) andtheir sensitivity to growth at low root temperature was studiedin relation to external NO^–₃ supply, defined by constantconcentrations ranging from sub- to supra-optimal with respectto plant growth rate. Plants were grown from seed in flowingnutrient solutions containing 250 mmol m^–3 NO^–₃at 17°C for 20d, and solution temperature in half the cultureunits was then lowered decrementally over 3 d to 7°C. Threedays later plants were supplied with NO^–₃ at 1, 10, 100or 1000 mmol m^–3 maintained for 18 d. Dry matter productionwas decreased more by low root zone temperature than low [NO^–₃]_e. Root specific growth rates were inversely related to [NO^–₃]_eand shoot:root ratios increased with time at [NO^–₃]_e between10–1000 mmol m^–3. Net uptake of NO^–₃ at 17°Cwas twice that at 7°C, and at both temperatures it doubledwith increasing [NO^–₃]_e between 1–10 mmol m^–3with further small increases at higher [NO^–₃]_e. Mean unitabsorption rates of NO^–₃ between 0–6 d and 6–14d were linearly related (r² of 0.79–0.99) to log₁₀[NO].Steady-state Q₁₀ (7–17°C) for uptake between 0–6d were 0.91, 1.62, 1.27, and 1.10, respectively, at [NO^–₃]_eof 1, 10, 100, and 1000 mmol m^–3, compared with correspondingvalues of 0.98, 1.38, 1.68, and 1.89 between 6–14 d. Thedata indicated that net uptake rates at 7 and 17°C divergedover time at high [NO^–₃]_e. Short-term uptake rates from1 mol m^–3 NO^–₃ measured at 17°C were higherin plants grown with roots at 7°C than at 17°C; for7°C plants there was a strong inverse linear relationship(r²=0.94) between uptake rate and treatment log₁₀ [NO^–₃]_ewhilst rates in 17°C plants were independent of prior [NO^–₃]_e. Rates of NO^–₃ influx and efflux under different steady-stateconditions of NO^–₃ supply and root temperature were calculatedfrom dilution of ¹⁵N added to culture solutions. Efflux wassubstantial relative to net uptake in all treatments, and wasinversely related to [NO^–₃]_e at 17°C but not at 7°C.Ratios of influx: efflux ranged from 1.6–2.9 at 17°Cand 1.3–1.8 at 7°C, indicating the proportionatelygreater impact of efflux at low root temperature. Ratios ofefflux: net uptake were 0.53–1.56 at 17°C and 1.21–3.58at 7°C. The apparent sensitivities of influx and effluxto steady-state root temperature varied with [NO^–₃]_e.Both fluxes were higher at 17°C than 7°C in the presenceof 100–1000 mmol m^–3 NO^–₃ but the trend wasreversed at 1–10 mmol m^–3 NO. Concentrations oftotal N measured in xylem exudate were at least 2-fold higherat 7°C compared with 17°C, attributable mainly to higherconcentrations of NO^–₃ glutamine and proline. The resultsare discussed in terms of acclimatory and other responses shownby the NO^–₃ transport system under conditions of limitingNO^–₃ supply and low root temperature. Key words: Brassica napus, nitrate supply, efflux, influx, root temperature, xylem exudate     

Determination of Levels of NO-3, NO-2 and NH+4 Ions in Leaves of Various Plants by Capillary Electrophoresis

Levels of NO^-₃, NO^-₂ and NH⁺₄ ions in leaves of six plant specieswere determined by capillary electrophoresis. Levels of NO^-₃ions differed by a factor of more than 350 in the six species.NO^-₂ and NH⁺₄ ions were detected in all species examined butat lower and more similar respective levels than NO^-₃ ions. (Received March 8, 1996; Accepted June 24, 1996)     

Responses of Noogoora Burr (Xanthium occidentale Bertol.) to Nitrogen Supply and Carbon Dioxide Enrichment

We studied the responses of Xanthium occidentale (Bertol.) (cockleburor Noogoora burr), a noxious weed, to atmospheric CO₂ enrichmentand nitrate-N concentrations in the root zone ranging from 0.5to 25 mM. CO₂ enrichment (1500 cm³ m^–3) increased dry-matterproduction to about the same extent (18 per cent) at all levelsof supplied N: most of the increment in dry matter was distributedequally between leaves and roots so that there was little effecton shoot-to-root dry-weight ratios. Growth was stimulated greatlyby N and plateaued at 12 mM supplied N. Shoot-to-root dry-weightand total N ratios increased with increasing N supply. CO₂ enrichmenthad no effect on the total amount of N accumulated by plants,but increased the N-use efficiency of leaves. Enriched plantshad lower concentrations and quantities of N in their leavesthan controls, and therefore lower shoot-to-root total N ratios.Little free NO₃^– accumulated in organs of control or enrichedplants. NO₃^– was the major form of N in xylem sap fromdetopped plants at low supplied NO₃-N, but amino N was equalin importance at high supplied NO₃-N in control and enrichedplants. Concentrations of NO₃^– were lower in the xylemsap of CO₂ enriched plants. It was concluded that the betterN-use efficiency of CO₂ enriched plants could result in increasedgrowth of X. occidentale in regions of marginal soil fertilityas atmospheric levels of CO₂ increase. CO₂ enrichment, nitrogen, Xanthium, Noogoora burr, cocklebur     

Physiology and Growth of Wheat Across a Subambient Carbon Dioxide Gradient

Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 'Yaqui 54' and'Seri M82', were grown along a gradient of daytime carbon dioxideconcentrations ([CO₂]) from near 350-200 µmol CO₂ mol^-1air in a 38 m long controlled environment chamber. Carbon dioxidefluxes and evapotranspiration were measured for stands (plantsand soil) in five consecutive 7·6-m lengths of the chamberto determined potential effects of the glacial/interglacialincrease in atmospheric [CO₂] on C₃ plants. Growth rates andleaf areas of individual plants and net assimilation per unitleaf area and daily (24-h) net CO₂ accumulation of wheat standsrose with increasing [CO₂]. Daytime net assimilation (P_D, mmolCO₂ m^-2 soil surface area) and water use efficiency of wheatstands increased and the daily total of photosynthetic photonflux density required by stands for positive CO₂ accumulation(light compensation point) declined at higher [CO₂]. Nighttimerespiration (R_N, mmol CO₂ m^-2 soil surface) of wheat, measuredat 369-397 µmol mol^-1 CO₂, apparently was not alteredby growth at different daytime [CO₂], but R_N /P_D of stands declinedlinearly as daytime [CO₂] and P_D increased. The responses ofwheat to [CO₂], if representative of other C₃ species, suggestthat the 75-100% increase in [CO₂] since glaciation and the30% increase since 1800 reduced the minimum light and waterrequirements for growth and increased the productivity of C₃plants.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Atmospheric carbon dioxide, carbon accumulation, evapotranspiration, light compensation point, net assimilation, respiration, Triticum aestivum, water use efficiency, wheat     

Effects of nitrogen on Pinus palustris foliar respiratory responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration

Indirect effects of atmospheric CO₂ concentration [CO₂], onlongleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) foliage respiration werestudied by growing trees in a factorial arrangement of low andhigh [CO₂] (369 and 729µmol CO₂ mol^–1) and low andhigh N (40 and 400 kg ha^–1 yr^–1). Direct effectsof [CO₂] on leaf respiration were tested by measuring respirationrates of foliage from all treatments at two CO₂ levels (360and 720µmol CO₂mol^–1) at the time of measurement.Elevated CO₂ did not directly or indirectly affect leaf respirationwhen expressed on a leaf area or mass basis, but a significantincrease in respiration per unit leaf N was observed in treesgrown in elevated [CO₂] (indirect response to elevated [CO₂]).The lack of a [CO₂] effect on respiration, when analysed onan area or mass basis, may have resulted from combined effectsof [CO₂] on factors that increase respiration (e.g. greateravailability of non-structural carbohydrates stimulating growthand carbon export from leaves) and on factors that decreaserespiration (e.g. lower N concentration leading to lower constructioncosts and maintenance requirements). Thus, [CO₂] affected factorsthat influence respiration, but in opposing ways. Key words: Pinus palustris, elevated CO₂, nitrogen, foliar, respiration     

Acclimation of Lolium temulentum to enhanced carbon dioxide concentration

Acclimation of single plants of Lolium temulentum to changing[CO₂] was studied on plants grown in controlled environmentsat 20°C with an 8 h photoperiod. In the first experimentplants were grown at 135 µ;mol m^–2 s^–1 photosyntheticphoton flux density (PPFD) at 415µl l^–1 or 550µll^–1 [CO₂] with some plants transferred from the lowerto the higher [CO₂] at emergence of leaf 4. In the second experimentplants were grown at 135 and 500 µmol m^–2 s^–1PPFD at 345 and 575 µl l^–1 [CO₂]. High [CO₂] during growth had little effect on stomatal density,total soluble proteins, chlorophyll a content, amount of Rubiscoor cytochrome f. However, increasing [CO₂] during measurementincreased photosynthetic rates, particularly in high light.Plants grown in the higher [CO₂] had greater leaf extension,leaf and plant growth rates in low but not in high light. Theresults are discussed in relation to the limitation of growthby sink capacity and the modifications in the plant which allowthe storage of extra assimilates at high [CO₂]. Key words: Lolium, carbon dioxide, photosynthesis, growth, stomatal density     

Is Partitioning of Dry Weight and Leaf Area Within Dactylis glomerata Affected by N and CO2Enrichment?

We examined changes in dry weight and leaf area within Dactylisglomerata L. plants using allometric analysis to determine whetherobserved patterns were truly affected by [CO₂] and N supplyor merely reflect ontogenetic drift. Plants were grown hydroponicallyat four concentrations of in controlled environment cabinets at ambient (360 µll^–1) or elevated (680 µl l^–1) atmospheric[CO₂]. Both CO₂and N enrichment stimulated net dry matter production.Allometric analyses revealed that [CO₂] did not affect partitioningof dry matter between shoot and root at high N supply. However,at low N supply there was a transient increase in dry matterpartitioning into the shoot at elevated compared to ambient[CO₂] during early stages of growth, which is inconsistent withpredictions based on optimal partitioning theory. In contrast,dry matter partitioning was affected by N supply throughoutontogeny, such that at low N supply dry matter was preferentiallyallocated to roots, which is in agreement with optimal partitioningtheory. Independent of N supply, atmospheric CO₂enrichment resultedin a reduction in leaf area ratio (LAR), solely due to a decreasein specific leaf area (SLA), when plants of the same age werecompared. However, [CO₂] did not affect allometric coefficientsrelating dry weight and leaf area, and effects of elevated [CO₂]on LAR and SLA were the result of an early, transient stimulationof whole plant and leaf dry weight, compared to leaf area production.We conclude that elevated [CO₂], in contrast to N supply, changesallocation patterns only transiently during early stages ofgrowth, if at all. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Allometric growth, carbon dioxide enrichment, Cocksfoot, Dactylis glomerata L., dry weight partitioning, leaf area ratio, nitrogen supply, shoot:root ratio, specific leaf area     

The Influence of Plant Nitrogen Status on NO2 Uptake, NO2 Assimilation and on the Gas Exchange Characteristics of Barley Plants Exposed to Atmospheric NO2

Barley plants were grown in nutrient solution at two contrastingnitrate concentrations to produce plants of low or high nitrogen(N) status. Leaves were then exposed continuously to either0.3 mm³ dm^–3 NO₂ or clean air, with the roots and rootingmedium isolated from the polluted air. Uptake of NO₂ was measuredin two ways; as depletion from an air stream containing thegas and using ¹⁵N-labelled NO₂. Results from the two methodsagreed well and demonstrated that the flux of NO₂ into the leavesof N-deficient barley was lower than that of N-sufficient plants.Nevertheless, the relative contribution of¹⁵N derived from ¹⁵NO₂to the N status of the plant was greater in the plants suppliedwith low nitrate. A major factor in regulating NO₂ uptake bybarley leaves appeared to be stomatal conductance, althoughinternal conductance may also be involved. The effects of NO₂exposure of barley on carbon dioxide exchange rates, transpirationand water vapour conductance were also influenced by the N statusof the plant. Key words: Hordeum vulgare, ¹⁵N-labelled NO₂, carbon dioxide exchange, transpiration     

Assimilation of 15N2 and 15NO3- by Partially Nitrate-Tolerant Nodulation Mutants of Soybean

Growth-chamber studies were conducted to evaluate nitrogen assimilationby three hypernodulated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] mutants(NOD1–3, NOD2–4, NOD3–7) and the Williamsparent. Seeds were inoculated at planting and transplanted atday 7 to nutrient solution with 1 mol m^–3 urea (optimizesnodule formation) or 5 mol m^–3 NO₃^– (inhibits noduleformation). At 25 d after planting, separate plants were exposedto ¹⁵NO₂ or ¹⁵NO₃^– for 3 to 48 h to evaluate N₂ fixationand NO₃^– assimilation. Plant growth was less for hypernodulatedmutants than for Williams with both NO₃^– and urea nutrition.The major portion of symbiotically fixed ¹⁵N was rapidly assimilated(30 min) into an ethanol-soluble fraction, but by 24 h aftertreatment the ethanolinsoluble fraction in each plant part wasmost strongly labelled. Distribution patterns of ¹⁵N among organswere very similar among lines for both N growth treatments aftera 24 h ¹⁵N₂ fixation period; approximate distributions were40% in nodules, 12% in roots, 14% in stems, and 34% in leaves.With urea-grown plants the totalmg ¹⁵N fixed plant^–1 24h^–1 was 1·18 (Williams), 1·40 (N0D1-3),107 (NOD2-4), and 0·80 (NOD3-7). The 5 mol m^-3 NO₃^- treatmentresulted in a 95 to 97% decrease in nodule mass and ¹⁵N₂ fixationby Williams, while the three mutants retained 30 to 40% of thenodule mass and 17 to 19% of the ¹⁵N₂ fixation of respectiveurea-grown controls. The hypernodulated mutants, which had restrictedroot growth, absorbed less ¹⁵NO₃^- than Williams, irrespectiveof prior N growthcondition. The ¹⁵N from ¹⁵NO₃^- was primarilyretained in the soluble fraction of all plant parts through24 h. The ¹⁵N incorporation studies confirmed that nodule developmentis less sensitive to external NO₃^- in mutant lines than in theWilliams parent, and provide evidence that subsequent metabolismand distribution within the plant was not different among lines.These results further confirm that the hypernodulated mutantsof Williams are similar in many respects to the hyper- or supernodulatedmutants in the Bragg background, and suggest that a common mutationalevent affectingautoregulatory control of nodulation has beentargeted. Key words: Glycine max (L.) Merr., soybean, N₂fixation, nitrate assimilation, nodulation mutants, ¹⁵N isotope     

Ontogenetic Changes in the Chemical Composition of Ricinus communis Grown with NO-3 or NH+4 as N Source

Ricinus communis L. var. Gibsonii was grown in Long Ashton nutrientmedium with either 12mol m^–3 NO^–₃ or 8.0 mol m^–3NH⁺₄ as N source. Two plants from each N treatment were harvestedtwice a week and analysed for C, N, P, S, NO^–₃, SO^2–₄Cl^–K⁺Na⁺, Ca²⁺ Mg²⁺ and ash alkalinity. Statistical analysis of thedata showed that the effect of age and N source was differentfor the chemical variables analysed. Thus [Na⁺] was unaffectedby age or N source, and for both N sources [Mg²⁺] started atthe same level and decreased at the same rate as the plantsmatured. With NH⁺₄ as N source, [SO^2–₄] was higher thanwith NO^–₃, but did not alter with age. The concentrations,in mmol g^–1 dry wt, of C, organic N, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ weredifferent for the two N sources, but the levels of these variablesaltered with age in the same way for both N sources; i.e. therewas no age x N interaction. In the case of P, NO^–₃, Cl^– and COO^–, however,age-related variations were different for the two N sources.It is concluded, inter alia, that [Na⁺] is determined by external[Na⁺] alone, and that K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl^– are the inorganicions actively involved in charge balance during ion uptake bythe roots. Key words: Ontogeny, Chemical composition, Plant nutrition