施用纳米碳对烤烟氮素吸收和利用的影响

为明确纳米碳在提高烤烟氮素吸收利用方面的效果,在盆栽条件下,研究了纳米碳不同用量对烤烟根系生长发育、干物质积累和氮素吸收利用的影响。结果表明,在常规肥料中添加纳米碳能够促进烤烟根系生长发育,明显提高烟株根系活力和单株根系生物量,增加植株干物质积累量。施用纳米碳增加了烤烟植株成熟期各器官氮素含量和积累量,而未明显影响氮素在植株不同器官的分配。施用纳米碳不仅增加了植株对肥料氮的吸收量,还增加了对土壤氮的吸收量,这与其促进烤烟根系生长发育、提高根系吸收能力有密切关系。纳米碳无论做基肥还是做追肥,均显著提高了氮肥利用率,提高幅度分别达到14.44%和9.62%,有效降低了氮素土壤残留和损失。     

木霉对盐渍逆境下枸杞根系氮素吸收和氮素利用效率的影响

本研究采集滨海盐渍土开展盆栽试验,分析施加有机肥、木霉菌剂及菌肥对枸杞氮素吸收、同化、积累和利用效率的影响,以揭示木霉对盐渍逆境下枸杞的促生机理。有机肥为木霉菌肥的灭菌物,不含木霉活菌,但两者氮、磷、钾等养分含量无显著差异。结果表明: 施加有机肥、木霉菌剂和菌肥处理较对照均显著提高了根系分生区NO₃^-、NH₄⁺内流速率和成熟区NO₃^-内流速率,且施加菌肥的提升幅度高于施加有机肥。与对照相比,盐渍土壤施加木霉菌剂及菌肥显著增加了根、茎、叶生物量和氮含量以及植株氮累积量,增强了枸杞根和叶中硝酸还原酶、亚硝酸还原酶和谷氨酰胺合成酶活性,提高了枸杞氮素吸收效率、光合速率、稳定碳同位素丰度值和光合氮素利用效率,而且施加菌肥的效果明显优于施加有机肥。综上,木霉能增强盐渍逆境下枸杞氮素吸收、同化和积累,提升光合固碳能力和氮素利用效率,最终促进植株生长。     

Phosphorus uptake by root systems: mathematical modelling in ecosys

The uptake of P by plant root systems is believed to be controlled by the concentration of soluble orthophosphate at the root surface. If a P transformation model in which this concentration is calculated were coupled to a root and mycorrhizal growth model in which this concentration is used to calculate P uptake, then it should be possible to simulate P uptake under different soil and climate conditions if soil properties relevant to the control of P concentration are known. To test this idea, models for the transformation and transport of inorganic and organic P were coupled to ones for root growth and nutrient uptake as part of the ecosys modelling program. Seasonal estimates of soluble P concentration, root growth and P uptake from the combined models were tested with data measured from barley under fertilized and unfertilized treatments in a long term P fertilizer experiment conducted on two different soils. In both soils the fertilizer treatment increased simulated and measured soluble P concentrations from 0.1-0.2 to 0.2-0.4 g m^-3, annual P uptake from 0.6-0.7 to 1.2-1.4 g m^-2, and annual DM accumulation from 400-500 to 700-800 g m^-2. Increases in soluble P concentrations caused by fertilizer P were reproduced in the model from changes in the balance between the desorption and dissolution of solid P on one hand, and the uptake of P by root and mycorrhizal systems on the other. Increases in P uptake caused by fertilizer P were reproduced in the model from higher solution P concentrations, root uptake kinetics, and from functional equilibria for C and P exchange simulated among mycorrhizal, root and shoot components of the plant. There was a tendency in the model to overestimate P uptake later in the growing season in the unfertilized treatment which could be corrected if parameters for root uptake kinetics were reduced after anthesis. Because the model is constructed independently of data for P uptake, and avoids the use of site-specific parameters, it may provide a means of estimating uptake under different managements and climates from soils of known properties.     

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.     

Nutrient uptake and growth of barley as affected by soil compaction

A field experiment with different levels of compaction was carried out on a mouldboard ploughed silty clay, with the objective of studying the effects on plant nutrient uptake and growth. Soil from the field was also used in laboratory studies of carbon and nitrogen mineralization, and plant uptake of water and nutrients. In the field, low as well as high bulk densities reduced biomass production and nutrient uptake of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) compared to intermediate bulk densities, where grain yield was approximately 20% higher. In the beginning of the growing season, the concentration of phosphorus and potassium was lowest in plants grown in the loosest and in the most compacted soil, and suboptimal for plant growth. The uptake of nutrients transported by diffusion was more affected by compaction than for nutrients transported by mass flow. The reasons for lowered uptake in loose compared to moderately compacted soil could be reduced root-to-soil contact, a low diffusion coefficient for nutrients and/or reduced mass transport of water to seed and roots. Differences in plant nutrient concentrations between treatments gradually declined until harvest. Immediately after compaction there was probably oxygen deficiency in the compacted soil since the air-filled porosity was critically low, but as the soil dried out, mechanical resistance to root growth may have become a more important growth-limiting factor. In the laboratory study, severe compaction reduced carbon mineralization and uptake of water and nutrients by roots, and caused denitrification. There were only small differences between loose and moderately compacted soil in carbon mineralization, nitrogen concentration in the soil, uptake of water and nutrients and dry matter yield. The large yield increase due to recompaction in the field was not reproduced in the laboratory. Possible reasons are differences in soil temperature between the field and laboratory, in the sowing and fertilizing methods, the pretreatment of the soil and in the spatial variability of bulk density. It is possible that recompaction is needed only in the uppermost part of the soil, which is the loosest, dries out first, and is where the seed as well as the fertilizer are placed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrogen Relations in a Forest Plantation--Soil Organic Matter Ecosystem Model

Two previously published models, after minor modification, areamalgamated to give a model that describes the major carbonand nitrogen pools and fluxes in a plantation forest soil system.The first model is a transport-resistance model of forest growthand dry-matter partitioning. The second is a soil organic mattermodel that was constructed for temperate grasslands. The combinedmodel is used to examine the relations between plantation growth,soil organic matter content, nitrogen deposition rate from theatmosphere, mineralization flux, nitrogen uptake by the plantation,dry matter partitioning between foliage and root, litter productionand the timing and quantity of fertilizer application. The highdemand for N by even-aged plantations during the period of canopybuilding is highlighted. The marked ontogenetic shifts in thegrowth pattern during plantation development is emphasized,indicating several phases of forest development. The resultsindicate that the potential growth of even-aged plantationsmay be greater than that realized in poor soils with commonlevels of atmospheric N deposition and normal fertilizer regimes.The simulations show how the concentrations of soil mineralN change during the development of a plantation, and point towardsthe importance of atmospheric N deposition. They also show thatfertilizer application must be accurately matched to growthstage if fertilizer is to be used efficiently. The nitrogencycle (N-uptake by plant     

Effects of salinity and nitrogen on cotton growth in arid environment

The influences of different N fertilization rates and soil salinity levels on the growth and nitrogen uptake of cotton was evaluated with a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that cotton growth measured as plant height was significantly affected by the soil salinity and N-salinity interaction, but not by N alone. Cotton was more sensitive to salinity during the emergence and early growth stages than the later developmental stages. At low to moderate soil salinity, the growth inhibition could be alleviated by fertilizer application. Soil salinity was a dominated factor affecting cotton’s above-ground dry mass and root development. Dry mass of seed was reduced by 22%, 52%, and 84% respectively, when the soil salinity level increased from control level of 2.4 dS m^?1 to 7.7 dS m^?1, 12.5 dS m^?1 and to 17.1 dS m^?1, respectively. N uptake increased with N fertilization at adequate rates at both low and medium soil salinities but was not influenced by over N fertilization. At higher salinities, N uptake was independent of N rates and mainly influenced by soil salinity. The uptake of K decreased with soil salinity. The concentration of Na, Cl and Ca in plant tissues increased with soil salinity with highest concentrations in the cotton leaf.     

Simulating Growth and Root-shoot Partitioning in Prairie Grasses Under Elevated Atmospheric CO2and Water Stress

We constructed a model simulating growth, shoot-root partitioning,plant nitrogen (N) concentration and total non-structural carbohydratesin perennial grasses. Carbon (C) allocation was based on theconcept of a functional balance between root and shoot growth,which responded to variable plant C and N supplies. Interactionsbetween the plant and environment were made explicit by wayof variables for soil water and soil inorganic N. The modelwas fitted to data on the growth of two species of perennialgrass subjected to elevated atmospheric CO₂and water stresstreatments. The model exhibited complex feedbacks between plantand environment, and the indirect effects of CO₂and water treatmentson soil water and soil inorganic N supplies were important ininterpreting observed plant responses. Growth was surprisinglyinsensitive to shoot-root partitioning in the model, apparentlybecause of the limited soil N supply, which weakened the expectedpositive relationship between root growth and total N uptake.Alternative models for the regulation of allocation betweenshoots and roots were objectively compared by using optimizationto find the least squares fit of each model to the data. Regulationby various combinations of C and N uptake rates, C and N substrateconcentrations, and shoot and root biomass gave nearly equivalentfits to the data, apparently because these variables were correlatedwith each other. A partitioning function that maximized growthpredicted too high a root to shoot ratio, suggesting that partitioningdid not serve to maximize growth under the conditions of theexperiment.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company plant growth model, optimization, nitrogen, non-structural carbohydrates, carbon partitioning, elevated CO₂, water stress,Pascopyrum smithii,Bouteloua gracilis, photosynthetic pathway, maximal growth     

Dry mass partitioning and nitrogen uptake by Eucalyptus grandis plants in response to localized or mixed application of phosphorus

Plants respond to nutrient rich patches by changing root morphology and physiology. The aim of this paper was to analyze shoot and root growth of Eucalyptus grandis plants fertilized with the same amount of phosphorus applied in two different ways: thoroughly mixed in the soil or localized in a single hole near the plant. Localized fertilization increased root mass in the zone where fertilizer was applied, but total root mass was not altered by the type of fertilization application. With mixed fertilization plant growth was less than with localized fertilization, and plants showed nitrogen deficiency. Nitrogen uptake was measured in a split-root hydroponics system where phosphate was applied to the whole root system or in part of it. Growth of plants receiving phosphorus in the whole root system was limited by nitrogen uptake, as was revealed by low leaf N and low nitrate uptake. In conclusion, the positive effect of localized application of phosphorus must be ascribed not only to higher phosphorus but also to sustained nitrogen assimilation.     

A model of nitrogen flows in grassland

Abstract. The model comprises three submodels, which together give an integrated picture of nitrogen pools and fluxes in grassland under grazing or cutting. The first submodel represents the interaction of the grazing animal with the sward through intake and the production of excreta: the second is concerned with the growth of the vegetative grass crop and its response to light, temperature and nitrogen; these two submodels are interfaced with a submodel of soil carbon and nitrogen pools and processes, including dead shoot and root material, dead and live soil organic matter, and three pools representing mineral nitrogen. No account is taken of water, which is assumed to be non-limiting, or the possible effects of soil pH and soil aeration. The model is used to simulate a range of management strategies as applied to stocking density and fertilizer application, examining both steady-state and non-steady-state conditions. The model highlights the long time scales associated with grassland systems, the role of the grazing animal in modifying carbon and nitrogen flows, and the importance of soil conditions to grassland productivity and fertilizer response. The productivity of grazed swards may be greater or less than that of cut swards depending on stocking density and fertilizer application, although nitrogen recovery (as calculated here) is always lower in grazed swards. The model is able to stimulate mineralization and immobilization, and place these in the context of plant processes and the grazing animal.     

A Model of the Partitioning of Growth between the Shoots and Roots of Vegetative Plants

A model of the partitioning of new growth between the shootsand roots of vegetative plants is presented. There are two partitioningfunctions, involving one partitioning parameter, which describethe priorities for new growth in both the shoots and roots.The dynamic responses, to changes in the environment and toshoot defoliation, of shoot and root specific growth rates,shoot: root ratio, and carbon and nitrogen substrate levels,are examined; realistic behaviour is observed. Balanced exponentialgrowth solutions are also examined and it is concluded thatrelationships between some derived plant growth quantities maybe non-unique, thus emphasizing the need for a critical understandingof the underlying physiological processes involved in plantgrowth. Mathematical model, partitioning of assimilates, shoot: root ratio, specific growth rate, carbon and nitrogen substrate levels     

Dynamic Model for the Effects of Soil P and Fertilizer P on Crop Growth, P Uptake and Soil P in Arable Cropping: Model Description

A mechanistic model is described for calculating the effectsof starter fertilizer, granular fertilizer and 0.5 M NaHCO₃pH8.5 extractable soil phosphate on plant growth and plant P concentrationduring the entire period of growth up to commercial harvest.For each day, the model calculates the increment in root growthand partitions it into segments between the regions of soilenriched with starter fertilizer, those enriched with granularfertilizer and the remainder of the soil. It calculates themaximum possible amount of P that can diffuse through soil toeach root segment in each region. Using this information andthe P concentration in the plant, total P uptake is calculated.The increment in plant weight and root growth is calculatedfrom the current plant weight, plant P concentration and airtemperature. Subroutines calculate daily soil water content,the extractable and non-extractable soil P, and diffusion coefficientsin the P-depleted zones around each root segment and in theremainder of the soil. Model simulations and sensitivity analysesindicate that extractable soil P and starter fertilizer P canlead to higher crop yields than are achieved when granular fertilizersare incorporated in soil, in the usual way, immediately beforesowing. They also indicate that in the long-term, levels ofextractable soil P will move towards a level characteristicof the soil. These findings are in agreement with results oflong-term field experiments that have been reported in the literature.All inputs to the model that have a substantial impact on P-responseof a single crop are easy to obtain. They include standard soilproperties, the maximum potential yield, and daily rainfall,mean air temperature and evaporation from an open water surface.The model runs interactively at: www.qpais.co.uk/phosmod/phos.htmCopyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Simulation, dynamic model, vegetable crops, soil phosphate, phosphate fertilizer, growth, response, plant composition     

土壤肥力和施氮量对小麦氮素吸收运转及籽粒产量和蛋白质含量的影响

在不同土壤肥力条件下,研究了施氮量对小麦氮素吸收、转化及籽粒产量和蛋白质含量的影响。结果表明,增施氮肥可以提高小麦各生育阶段的吸氮强度,尤以生育后期提高的幅度为大认为是增施氮肥提高小麦籽粒产量和蛋白质含量的基础,增施氮肥虽提高了小麦植株的吸氮强度。吸氮量增加,但开花后营养器官氮素向籽粒中的转移率降低,增施氮肥不仅促进了小麦植株对肥料氮的吸收,而且也促进了对土壤氮的吸收,并讨论了在高、低土壤肥力条件下氮肥合理运筹的问题。     

有机无机肥配施提高麦-稻轮作系统中水稻氮肥利用率的机制

采用盆栽试验,研究了有机无机肥配施对麦-稻轮作系统中水稻氮素累积动态和土壤氮素供应动态的影响,并从微生物学角度探讨了有机无机肥协同提高水稻氮肥利用率的机制.结果表明：有机无机肥配施处理的土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和矿质态氮在水稻分蘖期前低于化肥处理,而在抽穗期至灌浆期显著高于其他处理.土壤氮素供应动态与水稻吸收利用氮素规律吻合程度最高,促进了水稻产量、生物量和氮素累积量的增加,显著提高了水稻的氮肥利用率.其主要机制是有机无机肥配施促进了土壤微生物繁殖,使其在水稻生育前期固持了较多的矿质氮,在水稻生育中、后期这些氮素逐渐被释放以供水稻吸收利用,较好地满足了水稻各阶段生长发育对氮素养分的需求.     

Long‐term biochar application promotes rice productivity by regulating root dynamic development and reducing nitrogen leaching

Biochar is beneficial for improving soil quality and crop productivity. However, the long‐term effects of biochar addition on temporal dynamics of plant shoot and root growth, and the changes in soil properties and nitrogen (N) leaching are still obscure. Here, based on a long‐term (7 years) biochar field experiment with rice in northwest China, we investigated the effects of two biochar rates (0 and 9 t ha^?1 year^?1) and two N fertilizer rates (0 and 300 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) on shoot and root growth, root morphology, N leaching, and soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that both biochar and N fertilizer significantly promoted rice growth, with their interaction significant only in some cases. Both fertilizers enhanced rice shoot biomass and N accumulation in various growth stages as well as increased grain yield. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly promoted root growth regardless of biochar application. However, biochar application without N fertilizer increased root biomass and length during the whole growth period, except in the booting stage; biochar with N application promoted root growth at tillering, reduced root biomass but maintained root length with low root diameter and high specific root length during the jointing and booting stages, and then delayed root senescence in the grain filling stage. Long‐term applications of biochar and N fertilizer reduced 10%–12% bulk density of topsoil compared to the control treatment with no N fertilizer and no biochar. Long‐term biochar application also improved soil total organic carbon and concentrations of available N, phosphorus, and potassium. In addition, biochar and N fertilizer applied together significantly reduced nitrate and ammonium concentration in leachate at different soil depths. In conclusion, biochar could regulate root growth, root morphology, soil properties, and N leaching to increase rice N fertilizer‐use efficiency.     

Relationships between root morphology and nitrogen availability in a recent theoretical model describing nitrogen uptake from soil

Abstract. The effect upon potential maximum nitrogen uptake rate of root morphology and nitrogen availability in soil was investigated using a simple nutrient transport model. Parameter values appropriate to an ecological or an agricultural context were introduced from the literature. The model predicted that the maximum uptake rate of nitrate was morphology-dependent only at extremely low concentrations. For ammonium, this was so for all realistic concentrations, assuming a high potential maximum uptake rate. The important concentration range for ammonium was two orders of magnitude greater than that for nitrate. With a lower potential maximum uptake rate of ammonium, root morphology was important below 15/igNg' soil, the concentration range in this case being a single order of magnitude greater than that for nitrate. The effects of root hairs were to decrease the threshold concentration for morphology-dependence, and to minimize root dry weight per unit volume of soil needed to maintain maximum nitrogen uptake rate. The effects of simultaneous mass flow of solution were negligible. The possible significance of these effects upon plant growth are discussed in relation to nitrogen availability.     

Relationships between nitrogen uptake and carbon assimilation in whole plants of tall fescue

Abstract. The present study investigates the relationships between nitrogen uptake, transpiration, and carbon assimilation. Plants growing on nutrient solution were enclosed for 10–16 d in a growth chamber, where temperature, photon flux density, vapour saturation deficit and CO₂ concentration were controlled. One of these factors was modified every 4 to 5 d. Shoot photosynthesis and root and shoot respiration were recorded every half-hour. Nitrogen uptake from the root medium and plant transpiration were measured daily. In most cases, an increase in photon flux density led to increases in transpiration, net daily carbon assimilation, and nitrogen uptake. By modifying transpiration rate without changing photosynthesis (varying vapour saturation deficit), or by modifying transpiration and carbon assimilation in opposite ways (varying CO₂ air concentration), it was shown that nitrogen uptake does not follow transpiration, but is linked to the carbon uptake of the plant. When light was increased from low to intermediate levels, the N uptake/C assimilation ratio remained constant. At higher photon flux density, this ratio declined markedly. It is proposed that in the first case, growth is limited by carbohydrate availability, thus any increase in carbon assimilation leads to a proportional increase in nitrogen uptake, in contrast to the second situation where carbohydrates may accumulate in the plant without further nitrogen requirement.     

Phenotypic plasticity of the maize root system in response to heterogeneous nitrogen availability

Mineral nutrients are distributed in a non-uniform manner in the soil. Plasticity in root responses to the availability of mineral nutrients is believed to be important for optimizing nutrient acquisition. The response of root architecture to heterogeneous nutrient availability has been documented in various plant species, and the molecular mechanisms coordinating these responses have been investigated particularly in Arabidopsis, a model dicotyledonous plant. Recently, progress has been made in describing the phenotypic plasticity of root architecture in maize, a monocotyledonous crop. This article reviews aspects of phenotypic plasticity of maize root system architecture, with special emphasis on describing (1) the development of its complex root system; (2) phenotypic responses in root system architecture to heterogeneous N availability; (3) the importance of phenotypic plasticity for N acquisition; (4) different regulation of root growth and nutrients uptake by shoot; and (5) root traits in maize breeding. This knowledge will inform breeding strategies for root traits enabling more efficient acquisition of soil resources and synchronizing crop growth demand, root resource acquisition and fertilizer application during crop growing season, thereby maximizing crop yields and nutrient-use efficiency and minimizing environmental pollution.     

The course of 15N-ammonium nitrate in a spring barley cropping system

¹⁵N-labelled ammonium nitrate was applied to spring barley growing on a Cambisol soil in western Switzerland. Immobilization, plant uptake and disappearance of inorganic nitrogen were followed at frequent intervals. Fertilizer nitrogen disappeared shortly after its application, mainly through immobilization by soil microorganisms and absorption by the crop. Some of the added nitrogen was probably denitrified as a result of humid conditions during the first days after fertilizer application. At the end of the growing season, 31% of the added nitrogen was recovered from the aerial barley plants, and 56% was immobilized by microorganisms. Most of the fertilizer nitrogen not used by the crop was immobilized in the upper 0–30 cm soil layer. This prevented downward movement of nitrate and limited nitrogen losses. Fertilizer efficiency was mainly determined by the competition between crop uptake and microbial immobilization. Careful consideration of the time of fertilization, taking into account plant growth and weather conditions, can result in an increase in fertilizer efficiency and minimal pollution.     

A Transport-resistance Model of Forest Growth and Partitioning

The transport-resistance approach to dry-matter partitioningis used to construct a model of forest growth The model is atthe stand level for a monoculture of identical trees of thesame age There are five major organ compartments in the modelfoliage, branches, stem, coarse roots, and fine roots and mycorrhizasThe matter in each compartment is further subdivided into menstem,structure, carbon substrate, and nitrogen substrate The modelis driven by daily radiation including day length, ambient CO₂concentration, and daily means of air and soil temperature Thefine roots are provided with constant values of soil mineralnitrogen pools (ammonium and nitrate) from which uptake occursGrowth over about 100 years is simulated for various environmentalconditions and soil mineral nitrogen levels, thinning is alsosimulated Natural tree death occurs within the model Particularattention is paid to dry matter partitioning patterns, and tothe dry matter per stem when death occurs The model is robustand responsive, and provides a framework for further developmentand application to many ecological and environmental scenarios,as well as to some forest management problems Model, forest, growth, partitioning