Respiration of the growing shoots of Scots pine

The respiratory CO₂ exchange and the growth of the annual shoots were followed in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees growing under extreme continental forest-steppe conditions near the lake Baikal. The temperature coefficient of dark respiration (Q₁₀) in growing shoots dropped down from 3.2–4.0 (in the temperature range of 10–20°C) to 1.5–2.0 (in the temperature range of 20–30°C). The changes in averaged daily respiration rates correlated with the changes in shoot growth increments and temperature (with the multiple determination coefficient of 0.94). Growth respiration of the axial shoots during the phenophase reached 80% of the total respiration costs, with the coefficients of growth respiration and maintenance respiration 0.32 and 0.021. In young crown shoots, the average value of CO₂ evolution in the light combined for the whole observation period (years 1976–2004) was about 1 kg/dm², that is 9% of CO₂ evolution from the trunk surface.     

Seasonal and annual stem respiration of Scots pine trees under boreal conditions

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Stem respiration of trees is a major, but poorly assessed component of the carbon balance of forests, and important for geo-chemistry. Measurements are required under naturally changing seasonal conditions in different years. Therefore, intra- and inter-annual carbon fluxes of stems in forests were measured continuously from April to November in three consecutive years. METHODS: Stem respiratory CO2 fluxes of 50-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees were continuously measured with a CO2 analyser, and, concomitantly, stem circumference, stem and air temperature and other environmental factors and photosynthesis, were also measured automatically. KEY RESULTS: There were diurnal, seasonal and inter-annual changes in stem respiration, which peaked at 1600 h during the day and was highest in July. The temperature coefficient of stem respiration (Q10) was greater during the growing season than when growth was slow or had stopped, and more sensitive to temperature in the growing season. The annual Q10 remained relatively constant at about 2 over the three years, while respiration at a reference temperature of 15 degrees C (R15) was higher in the growing than in the non-growing season (1.09 compared with 0.78 micromol m(-2) stem surface s(-1)), but was similar between the years. Maintenance respiration was 76 %, 82 % and 80 % of the total respiration of 17.46, 17.26 and 19.35 mol m2 stem surface in 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively. The annual total stem respiration of the stand per unit ground area was 75.97 gC m(-2) in 2001 and 74.28 gC m(-2) in 2002. CONCLUSIONS: Stem respiration is an important component in the annual carbon balance of a Scots pine stand, contributing 9 % to total carbon loss from the ecosystem and consuming about 8 % of the carbon of the ecosystem gross primary production. Stem (or air) temperature was the most important predictor of stem carbon flux. The magnitude of stem respiration is modified by photosynthesis and tree growth. Solar radiation indirectly affects stem respiration through its effect on photosynthesis.     

Quantitative analysis of carbon balance for reproduction in woody species

The carbon balance in reproductive organs over the whole reproductive period was estimated for 20 woody species on the basis of the published data on the final dry weight and CO₂ exchange of reproductive organs. The relationship between net respiration and dry weight growth was formulated by a linear function with a negative y-intercept. From this linear relationship, linear relations of dry weight growth and net respiration to net translocation were derived. The size dependence of net respiration showed that the net respiration changed from negative to positive as the final dry weight of the reproductive organ exceeded 0.481 g. The cost for translocation per unit dry weight was much lower in the species with small reproductive organs (<0.481 g) because of their photosynthetic contribution to the weight growth. The relation of dry weight growth/net translocation ratio to net translocation was expressed as a hyperbolic function. The dry weight growth/net translocation ratio remained at 0.650, in the higher range of net translocation, irrespective of woody species. Electronic Publication     

SEASONAL TRENDS IN RATES OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND RESPIRATION OF LOBLOLLY PINE AND WHITE PINE SEEDLINGS

Mc Gregor , William H. Davis (Clemson Coll., Clemson, S.C.), and Paul J. Kramer . Seasonal trends in rates of photosynthesis and respiration of loblolly pine and white pine seedlings. Amer. Jour. Bot. 50(8): 760–765. Illus. 1963.—Seasonal trends in the rates of photosynthesis and respiration of potted loblolly and white pine seedlings were studied by measuring CO₂ exchange with an infra-red gas analyzer at intervals during a year. The seedlings were kept out-of-doors, but measurements were made indoors at 25 C and 4000 ft-c of light. Beginning in February, the rate of photosynthesis per plant of both species increased, reaching a peak in mid-September for loblolly pine and in mid-July for white pine and then declining rapidly after mid-September for both species. The spring increase began before new needles emerged and the autumn decline was not accompanied by appreciable loss of foliage. The respiration rate of loblolly pine increased steadily throughout the year. Respiration of white pine increased until mid-May and then remained fairly constant through the remainder of the year. Maximum rate of photosynthesis per unit of fascicle length occurred in July for the white pine and in May for the loblolly pine, and rates declined after September in both species. Respiration rate per unit of fascicle length showed a marked increase as spring growth began in April, then decreased to a minimum in September and increased during the winter in both species. Total chlorophyll per seedling reached a maximum in September for both species and declined slightly during winter. Total chlorophyll per unit of fascicle length increased in the spring, declined slightly in midseason, and increased again in September. Photosynthesis per unit of chlorophyll reached a maximum in May for loblolly pine and in July for white pine. Stem elongation of white pine was 88% completed by May 15. On the same date, stem elongation of loblolly pine was only 42% completed.     

Respiration and reproductive effort in Xanthium canadense

* BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The proportion of resources devoted to reproduction in the plant is called the reproductive effort (RE), which is most commonly expressed as the proportion of reproductive biomass to total plant biomass production (RE(W)). Reproductive yield is the outcome of photosynthates allocated to reproductive structures minus subsequent respiratory consumption for construction and maintenance of reproductive structures. Thus, RE(W) can differ from RE in terms of photosynthates allocated to reproductive structures (RE(P)). * METHODS: Dry mass growth and respiration of vegetative and reproductive organs were measured in Xanthium canadense and the amount of photosynthates and its partitioning to dry mass growth and respiratory consumption were determined. Differences between RE(W) and RE(P) were analysed in terms of growth and maintenance respiration. * KEY RESULTS: The fraction of allocated photosynthates that was consumed by respiration was smaller in the reproductive organ than in the vegetative organs. Consequently, RE(P) was smaller than RE(W). The smaller respiratory consumption in the reproductive organ resulted from its shorter period of existence and a seasonal decline in temperature, as well as a slower rate of maintenance respiration, although the fraction of photosynthates consumed by growth respiration was larger than in the vegetative organs. * CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive effort in terms of photosynthates (RE(P)) was smaller than that in terms of biomass (RE(W)). This difference resulted from respiratory consumption for maintenance, which was far smaller in the reproductive organ than in vegetative organs.     

Effect of inhibitors of two isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways on physiological and biosynthetic characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscorea deltoidea</Emphasis> cell suspension culture

The effect of phosmidomycin and mevinolin, which inhibit MEP and MVA isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways, respectively, on the growth (biomass accumulation, growth index, specific growth rate), physiological (respiration intensity and ratio between the cytochrome and cyanide-resistant respiration types), and biosynthetic (steroid glycoside biosynthesis) characteristics of the cell suspension culture of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. has been studied. Both inhibitors decreased the growth index of a cell culture by 20–25%, but their influence on the cell growth dynamics was different. Mevinolin treatment reduced the maximum biomass accumulation by 20% as against the control but did not change the character of a growth curve. Phosmidomycin treatment caused a significant growth delay (a 6-day lag phase) followed by a short active growth period (μ = 0.29 days^-1). Treatment of cells with inhibitors did not significantly influence on their total oxygen uptake rate, whose average value at different growth phases was equal to 100–200 mg О₂/g of dry cell weight per hour, but cardinally changed characteristics of respiratory metabolism. The inhibitors increased the activity of a cyanide-resistant respiration and decreased the intensity of a cytochrome respiration; each inhibitor worked in its specific manner. In the case of mevinolin, the maximum level of cyanide-resistant respiration (70% of the total respiration intensity) was observed at initial growth phases; during the further cell culture growth, this value gradually reduced to 6–8%. Phosmidomycin treatment caused a reverse dynamics: at the initial growth phases, the contribution of cyanide-resistant respiration was 30%, whereas at the stationary and degradation phases it increased to 50–60%. The treatment of cells with phosmidomycin resulted in a double increase in the content of furostanol glycosides at the stationary growth phase, whereas the use of mevinolin-containing medium reduced the content of these compounds as against the control. Inhibitors also influenced on the ratio of individual glycosides, such as protodioscin, deltoside, and their 26-S-isomers. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis of a possible intermediate exchange between the plastid (MEP) and cytosolic (MVA) isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways; this exchange is directed mainly from the plastids to the cytosol.     

光强对三叶鬼针草生长特征的影响

利用温室盆栽试验,研究了不同光强100%、40%、20%和5%下三叶鬼针草营养生长期和繁殖期的生长特征。结果表明:中度遮荫有利于三叶鬼针草支持结构的生长和营养期的物质积累,重度遮荫下仍能生长良好。在两个生长时期,相对生长速率(RGR)、净同化速率(NAR)均在100%光强下最大,5%光强下最小;总生物量在营养期和繁殖期分别在40%光强和全光照下最大,在3%光强下最小;株高、总叶面积(TLA)、根生物量比(RMR)、根冠比(R/C)、叶生物量比(LMR)、比叶面积(SLA)、叶面积比(LAR)、平均叶面积比(LARm)在3%光强时均大于全光照下的;支持结构生物量比(SBR)在40%光强、20%光强下大于3%光强和全光照处理。这说明三叶鬼针草在形态、生物量分配及生长特性上对光因素具较强的可塑性,这可能是其分布范围广、具有强入侵性的因素之一。     

Temperature effect on maintenance and growth respiration coefficients of young, field-grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

Respiration measurements were made on the entire aboveground parts of young, field-grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) trees at monthly intervals over a 5-year period, to examine the effect of temperature on maintenance and growth respiration coefficients. The respiration rate of the trees was grouped on a monthly basis and then partitioned into maintenance and growth components. The maintenance respiration coefficient increased exponentially with air temperature. The maintenance respiration coefficient at a temperature of 0°C and itsQ ₁₀ value were 0.205 mmol CO₂ g⁻¹ d.w. month⁻¹ and 1.81, respectively. The growth respiration coefficient, which was virtually independent of temperature, had a mean value of 38.06±1.95 (SE) mmol CO₂g⁻¹ d.w. The growth rate increased exponentially with increasing temperature up to a peak at around 18°C, and thereafter declined, thereby resulting in the growth respiration rate being increasingly less sensitive to increasing air temperature. The reported decreases in theQ ₁₀ value of total respiration with increasing air temperature is due to the way in which the growth component of respiration responds to temperature.     

Évolution horaire au cours d'une journée normale de la photosynthèse, de la transpiration, de la respiration foliaire et racinaire et de la nutrition N.P.K. chez Zea mays

Hourly development during a normal day of photosynthesis, transpiration, leaf and root respiration, and of N.P.K nutrition in Zea mays. Metabolism of Zea mays L. cv. INRA F₇×F₂ can be measured hourly with the “C₂3A system”, under favourable and constant growth conditions. The photosynthesis is especially stable and is submitted only to a development linked with the leaf surface growth. During the vegetative stage the leaf surface increases regularly both in the day and in the night. The water loss does not change during the diurnal period and remains important during the night if humidity is less than 100%. The leaf respiration is nearly stable. The root respiration, measured with O₂ and CO₂, fluctuates according to a typical rhythm with two maxima. Day and night mean rates were about the same. The respiratory quotient is about one during the vegetative stage. There is no decrease in the rate of phosphate absorption during the night, and a very small decrease in the rate of nitrate absorption. Ammonium is totally consumed in the first hours after renewal of the nutrient solution. At the same time the potassium consumption is decreased, and then presents a maximum followed by a night reduction. Under our conditions, all of the observations allowed us to assume the presence of an adequate reserve of assimilates and suggest the existence of a precise regulation process, which can ensure an even day night functioning of the plant metabolism, but which does not preclude the presence of internal rhythms, as indicated by the oscillation of the root respiration.     

Pattern of Respiration of a Perennial Ryegrass Crop in the Field

‘Dark’ respiratory losses of CO₂ were measured ona one year old sward of S24 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.) at intervals during a 74 day reproductive growth period,between April and June, and a 21 day vegetative growth period,in July and August. Part of the sward was shaded for one weekbefore measure ments commenced. Measurements of ‘dark’respiration continued for 46 hand it was possible to distinguishtwo components which are designated ‘maintenance’and ‘synthetic’ ‘Maintenance’ respiration was taken to be the meanrate of CO₂ efflux after 40–46 h darkness. When calculatedon a plant d. wt basis at 15°C it ranged between 6 to 32mgCO₂ g^-1 day^-1 during reproductive growth and 10–14 mgCO₂ g^-1 day^-1 during vegetative growth. During reproductivegrowth, sward protein content ranged between 7–23 percent and when maintenance respiration was recalculated on thebasis of protein content it changed relatively little throughoutthe growth period (90–140 mg CO₂ g pro tein^-1 day^-1);the value for vegetative growth ranged between 70–100mgCO₂ g protein-day^-1. Total ‘synthetic’ CO₂ flux was determined duringreproductive growth and a rate of ‘synthetic’ CO₂flux was determined during both reproductive and vegetativegrowth. Between 15 and 35 per cent of the CO₂ fixed in the previousphotoperiod was lost in ‘synthetic’ respirationof above-ground material in reproductive swards. Previous shadingincreased the proportion of ‘synthetic’ CO₂ lossfrom above ground. The rate of ‘synthetic’ CO₂ outputduring the first hours of darkness increased with amount ofCO₂ fixed in the previous photoperiod, although it was not proportionalto it. There is some evidence that assimilate is ‘carried-over’from one photoperiod to the next.     

Accelerated soil CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> efflux after conversion from secondary oak forest to pine plantation in southeastern China

Soil respiration (R _s) is an important component of the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems, and changes in soil respiration with land cover alteration can have important implications for regional carbon balances. In southeastern China (Xiashu Experimental Forest, Jiangsu Province), we used an automated LI-8100 soil CO₂ flux system to quantify diurnal variation of soil respiration in a secondary oak forest and a pine plantation. We found that soil respiration in the pine plantation was significantly higher than that in the secondary oak forest. There were similar patterns of soil respiration throughout the day in both the secondary oak forest and the pine plantation during our 7-month study (March–September 2005). The maximum of R _s occurred between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The diurnal variations of R _s were usually out of phase with soil surface (0.5 cm) temperature (T _g). However, annual variation in R _s correlated with surface soil temperature. Soil respiration reached to a maximum in June, and decreased thereafter. The Q₁₀ of R _s in the secondary oak forest was significantly higher than that in the pine plantation. The higher Q₁₀ value in the secondary oak forest implied that it might release more CO₂ than the pine plantation under a global-warming scenario. Our results indicated that land-use change from secondary forest to plantation may cause a significant increase in CO₂ emission, and reduce the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in southeastern China.     

BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF SCRIPPSIELLA TROCHOIDEA (DINOPHYCEAE) RESTING CYSTS1

The composition and metabolic activity of cysts of the marine dinoflagellate Scrippsiella trochoidea (Stein) Loeblich were examined during dormancy, quiescence, and germination. On a per cell basis, newly formed cysts contained an order of magnitude more carbohydrate but significantly less protein and chlorophyll a than did exponentially growing vegetative cells. Loss of lipid and carbohydrate from cysts during the initial dormancy period reflected a respiration rate estimated to be 10% of the respiratory activity in vegetative cells. Among older, quiescent cysts the calculated respiration rate decreased further to approximately 1.5% of the vegetative rate and appeared to proceed largely at the expense of carbohydrate reserves. These estimated rates of respiration were in good agreement with direct measurements of cyst oxygen consumption. The transfer of quiescent cysts to conditions permissive for germination resulted in a rapid increase in respiration rate, as evidenced by carbohydrate loss and O₂ consumption. The increased respiratory activity was followed by an increase in protein content and, later, by an increase in chlorophyll a content and photosynthetic capacity. Just prior to germination the P/R ratio became greater than 1, and the estimated chlorophyll-specific photosynthetic activity reached 75% of the rate in vegetative cells. Complete restoration of photosynthetic and respiratory capacity apparently was not achieved until after excystment. These data confirm the common assumption that dinoflagellate cysts represent true “resting” cells, containing extensive energy reserves and displaying greatly reduced metabolic activity.     

Seasonal patterns of 13C partitioning between shoots and nodulated roots of N2- or nitrate-fed Pisum sativum L

The effect of nitrogen source (N(2) or nitrate) on carbon assimilation by photosynthesis and on carbon partitioning between shoots and roots was investigated in pea (Pisum sativum L. 'Baccara') plants at different growth stages using (13)C labelling. Plants were grown in the greenhouse on different occasions in 1999 and 2000. Atmospheric [CO(2)] and growth conditions were varied to alter the rate of photosynthesis. Carbon allocation to nodulated roots was unaffected by N source. At the beginning of the vegetative period, nodulated roots had priority for assimilates over shoots; this priority decreased during later stages and became identical to that of the shoot during seed filling. Carbon allocation to nodulated roots was always limited by competition with shoots, and could be predicted for each phenological stage: during vegetative and flowering stages a single, negative exponential relationship was established between sink intensity (percentage of C allocated to the nodulated root per unit biomass) and net photosynthesis. At seed filling, the amount of carbon allocated to the nodulated root was directly related to net photosynthesis. Respiration of nodulated roots accounted for more than 60 % of carbon allocated to them during growth. Only at flowering was respiration affected by N supply: it was significantly higher for strictly N(2)-fixing plants (83 %) than for plants fed with nitrate (71 %). At the vegetative stage, the increase in carbon in nodulated root biomass was probably limited by respiration losses.     

Effect of inoculum parameters on the specificity of secondary synthesis in cultures producing novobiocin and mycoheptin]

The impact of the vegetative inoculum parameters on specificity of the secondary synthesis in the cultures producing novobiocin and mycoheptin was studied. During the study the fermentation conditions were varied by using the vegetative inoculum differing in the respiration rate after its transfer to the fermentation medium. To show the decisive role of the inoculum parameters in regulation of the specificity of the secondary synthesis, the dynamics of accumulation of certain metabolites forming from glucose along with the main antibiotic and the activity of the key enzymes of the carbohydrate metabolism during the culture growth in the fermentation media were studied. It was found that the specificity of the secondary synthesis with respect to certain metabolites was defined by the intensity of carbohydrate metabolism, i. e. the ratio of the activity of enzymes of glycolysis and the pentosephosphate pathway. In this regard, the inoculum with the maximum respiration rate in an amount of 10 to 20 per cent promoted the highest productivity of the mycelium by the synthesis of novobiocin and mycoheptin while the rate of accumulation of fatty acids, carbohydrates and phenol compounds (for Streptomyces spheroides) and mycopentene (for Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum) decreased.     

绞股蓝总皂甙含量与其营养器官和生长期相关性的研究

应用组织化学和植物化学方法,研究绞股蓝总皂甙含量与其营养器官和生长期的相关性。结果表明,不同营养器官中绞股蓝总皂甙含量叶最高,茎次之,根茎和根最低。绞股蓝地上部分总皂甙含量从营养生长→开花→结果不同生长期呈现由低→高→低的变化趋势,其中7、8、9月的开花期绞股蓝总皂甙含量达到顶峰,为药材最佳采收时间。研究还得出,绞股蓝叶的形态结构特征与其总皂甙含量相关,可作为选育绞股蓝优良品种的指标。     

The growth respiration component in eddy CO2 flux from a Quercus ilex mediterranean forest

Ecosystem respiration, arising from soil decomposition as well as from plant maintenance and growth, has been shown to be the most important component of carbon exchange in most terrestrial ecosystems. The goal of this study was to estimate the growth component of whole‐ecosystem respiration in a Mediterranean evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) forest over the course of 3 years. Ecosystem respiration (R_eco) was determined from night‐time carbon dioxide flux (F_c) using eddy correlation when friction velocity (u_*) was greater than 0.35 m s^?1 We postulated that growth respiration could be evaluated as a residual after removing modeled base R_eco from whole‐ecosystem R_eco during periods when growth was most likely occurring. We observed that the model deviated from the night‐time F_c‐based R_eco during the period from early February to early July with the largest discrepancies occurring at the end of May, coinciding with budburst when active aboveground growth and radial growth increment are greatest. The highest growth respiration rates were observed in 2001 with daily fluxes reaching up to 4 g C m^?2. The cumulative growth respiration for the entire growth period gave total carbon losses of 170, 208, and 142 g C m^?2 for 1999, 2001, and 2002, respectively. Biochemical analysis of soluble carbohydrates, starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, proteins, lignin, and lipids for leaves and stems allowed calculation of the total construction costs of the different growth components, which yielded values of 154, 200, and 150 g C for 3 years, respectively, corresponding well to estimated growth respiration. Estimates of both leaf and stem growth showed very large interannual variation, although average growth respiration coefficients and average yield of growth processes were fairly constant over the 3 years and close to literature values. The time course of the growth respiration may be explained by the growth pattern of leaves and stems and by cambial activity. This approach has potential applications for interpreting the effects of climate variation, disturbances, and management practices on growth and ecosystem respiration.     

Translocation and utilization of carbon in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. SUN 9E) was grown in a growth chamber under conditions of low soil nitrogen. Translocation of carbon to the roots and the subsequent utilization of these carbohydrates was determined. In vegetative plants (22 days old), 21.5 mg C day⁻¹ were translocated to the roots. 29% of this was incorporated into dry matter, 32% was respired (28% via the cytochrome and 4% via a SHAM-sensitive, presumably the alternative nonphosphorylating, pathway) and 39% was translocated back to the shoots, mainly in the form of amino acids. – The rote of root maintenance respiration during the vegetative phase was estimated to be 0.7 mg O₂ h⁻¹ (g dry weight of roots)⁻¹ and the root growth respiration to be 0.41 g O₂ (g dry weight of roots)⁻¹. Total carbohydrate utilization due to root respiration via the alternative, nonphosphorylating pathway during the major part of the growth period was calculated to be only ca 6% of carbohydrate utilization for grain growth. The rate of specific mass transfer (SMT) of sugars in the sieve tubes was estimated from the data on C-translocation and data on the total area occupied by sieve tubes in a cross section of the root system. SMT was calculated to be 0.8 mg sucrose s⁻¹ cm⁻², which is very similar to the published value on SMT for other organs, except roots.     

Nitrate Assimilation during Vegetative Regrowth of Alfalfa

Dry matter accumulation, nitrate reductase activity of various organs, nitrate accumulation, nitrogen derived from nitrate, and nitrogen content were studied during 17 days of vegetative regrowth of harvested (detopped) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Seedlings were grown in the glasshouse and treated with 0, 40, and 80 kilograms N per hectare applied as K¹⁵NO₃ to determine whether reduced nitrogenase activity after shoot harvest limited vegetative regrowth. The role of nodules in reducing NO₃⁻ during this period of low nitrogenase activity was also investigated.     

A Chamber Designed for Continuous, Long-term Monitoring of Legume Root Respiration

A chamber is described which allows for continuous, long-termmonitoring of legume root respiration by infrared gas analysisof CO₂ production. The chamber can accommodate either an automaticor manually operated irrigation system and is constructed fromreadily available raw materials. A series of trials throughout the entire growth period (66 d)of cowpea cv. K 2809 have demonstrated that vegetative growthand reproductive development are closely similar for plantsrooted in the respiration chamber and those grown in standardpots using conventional culture techniques. Ontogenetic changesin root respiration rate were recorded and are discussed inrelation to vegetative and reproductive periods of plant growth.     

Daily Patterns under the Life Cycle of a Maize Crop

Together with photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration, the daily uptake of NO₃^?, NH₄⁺, H₂PO₄^?, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄^2?, the root respiration, root volume increase and root excretions have been studied by daily measurements during the growth period of whole maize plants (Zea mays L. cv. INRA F7 × F2) raised until complete maturity on nutrient solution. The uptake patterns show a maximum absorption of NO₃^?, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ during the vegetative growth phase. The absorption of these ions declines during maturation while that of H₂PO₄^? reaches a maximum. Root respiration and particularly the uptake of NO₃^? and K⁺ are well correlated with the rate of root growth. Root excretion is more notable in young plants than in the old. It represents less than 0.2% of the net assimilation of adult plants.