Effects of supplied nitrogen form on growth and water uptake of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants

In order to investigate the effect of N form on dry matter (DM) formation and water uptake rate, French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. `Sotaxa') plants were grown with a split-root system. Three treatments were compared: sole nitrate (NO^– ₃) supply (NN), sole ammonium (NH⁺ ₄) supply (AA) and spatially separated supply of NO^– ₃ and NH⁺ ₄ (NA). The pH of the nutrient solutions was kept constant at 6.3 using a pH-stat system. 9 days after onset of the treatments, NN plants had higher root (36%) and shoot dry matter (11%) than AA plants. N form drastically influenced partitioning of assimilates: in the NA treatment, the root half exposed to NO^– ₃ revealed a 170% higher DM than the root half exposed to NH⁺ ₄. N form affected stable carbon-isotope discrimination () of leaf tissue. In leaves of plants which were supplied with NH⁺ ₄ (AA; NA) was significantly more negative (–29.4, –29.6) than in NN treatment (–28.2). We explain this effect by differences in stomatal conductance. We suppose that the significantly less negative of root tissue under NH⁺ ₄ supply is most probably related to higher PEP-case activity. The water uptake rate was higher in NN than in AA grown plants. This effect was found in both, short- and long-term experiments. In case of NA plants, the water uptake in the root part being exposed to NO^– ₃ was 104% higher than in those receiving NH⁺ ₄. At least in the case of the NA treatment we can exclude shoot growth effects as being responsible for differences in water uptake. We therefore assume that differences in root hydraulic conductivity are responsible for the observed effects.     

冬小麦等4种作物对铵,硝态氮的吸收能力

采用水培试验探讨了冬小麦、大豆、油菜和莴笋４种作物对硝、铵态氮的相对吸收能力以及这两种氮源对它们生长发育的影响。试验表明：（１）不同氮源对供试作物的生长发育影响极大。供给硝态氮,这些作物生长发育良好,供给等量的ＮＯ＾－３和ＮＨ＾－４（１：１）时,蔬菜作物莴笋生长量下降幅度最大;供给铵态氨,莴笋和大豆极为敏感,供给ＮＯ＾－３时莴笋吸氮量显著高于供给等氮量ＮＯ＾－３和ＮＨ＾＋４,莴上麦供给等量ＮＯ＾－     

Modelling the interactions between water and nutrient uptake and root growth

A model of three-dimensional root growth has been developed to simulate the interactions between root systems, water and nitrate in the rooting environment. This interactive behaviour was achieved by using an external-supply/internal-demand regulation system for the allocation of endogenous plant resources. Data from pot experiments on lupins heterogeneously supplied with nitrate were used to test and parameterise the model for future simulation work. The model reproduced the experimental results well (R ² = 0.98), simulating both the root proliferation and enhanced nitrate uptake responses of the lupins to differential nitrate supply. These results support the use of the supply/demand regulation system for modelling nitrate uptake by lupins. Further simulation work investigated the local uptake response of lupins when nitrate was supplied to a decreasing fraction of the root system. The model predicted that the nitrate uptake activity of lupin roots will increase as the fraction of root system with access to nitrate decreases, but is limited to an increase of around twice that of a uniformly supplied control. This work is the first example of a modelled root system responding plastically to external nutrient supply. This model will have a broad range of applications in the study of the interactions between root systems and their spatially and temporally heterogeneous environment.     

Drought-induced root aerenchyma formation restricts water uptake in rice seedlings supplied with nitrate

Previous studies demonstrated that ammonium nutrition results in higher water uptake rate than does nitrate nutrition under water stress, and thus enhances the tolerance of rice plants to water stress. However, the process by which water uptake is related to nitrogen form under water stress remains unknown. A hydroponic experiment with simulated water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) was conducted in a greenhouse to study the relationship between root aerenchyma formation and water uptake rate, such as xylem sap flow rate and hydraulic conductance, in two different rice cultivars (cv. 'Shanyou 63' hybrid indica and cv. 'Yangdao 6' indica, China). The results showed that root aerenchyma tissue increased in water-stressed plants of both cultivars fed by nitrate. No significant difference was found in root hydraulic conductivity and/or xylem sap flow rate between the two rice cultivars fed by ammonium regardless of water status, whereas these parameters decreased significantly in water-stressed plants fed by nitrate. It was concluded that aerenchyma that formed in the root cortex impeded the radial transport of water in the root cylinder and decreased water uptake in water-stressed rice plants fed by nitrate. Water transport occurred mainly through Hg-sensitive water channels in rice roots supplied with ammonium.     

不同氮素形态及水分胁迫对水稻苗期水分吸收、光合作用及生长的影响

采用室内营养液培养,聚乙二醇（PEG6000）模拟水分胁迫处理、HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性的方法,在3种供氮形态下（NH4^＋-N／NO36-N为100／0、50／50和0／100）,研究了水稻苗期水分吸收、光合及生长的状况。结果表明,在非水分胁迫下,水稻单位干重吸水量以单一供NO3^--N处理最高,加HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性后,单一供NO3^--N、NH4^＋-N和NH4^＋-N／NO3^--N为50,50处理的水稻水分吸收分别下降了9．6％、20．7％和16．0％;但在水分胁迫下,单一供N03^--N的处理水分吸收量显著降低,低于其它2个处理,加HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性后,水分吸收量分别降低了1．0％、18．8％和23．5％。在2种水分条件（水分胁迫与非水分胁迫）下,净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率和细胞间隙CO2浓度等指标均以单一供NH4^＋-N处理最大,NH4^＋-N／NO3^--N为50,50处理次之,单一供NO3^--N处理最小。HgCl2处理结果表明,不同形态氮素营养能够影响水稻幼苗根系水通道蛋白活性。在2种水分条件下,NH4^＋-N／N03^--N为50,50处理的生物量（干重）均最大。本研究为水稻苗期合理施肥以壮苗提供了理论依据。     

Nutrient uptake in eastern deciduous tree seedlings

Tree seedlings that colonize large treefall gaps are generally shade-intolerant species with high potential relative growth rates. Nutrient availability may be significantly elevated in disturbance-induced gaps, however, little is known about the role of differences in nutrient uptake capacities of different species in structuring the community response to gap openings in eastern North American deciduous forests. Seven tree species were grown from seed under both a high and a low nutrient regime, and uptake kinetics of phosphate, ammonium, and nitrate were studied. Yellow birch, a species with intermediate shade tolerance and relative growth rate, had the highest maximum rates of uptake of all ions, while tulip tree, a gap-colonizing species with high relative growth rate, had the lowest rate of phosphate uptake and intermediate rates of ammonium and nitrate uptake. Beech and hickory, which have low relative growth rates and are not gap-colonizing species, had intermediate levels of nutrient uptake. There was no evidence that species with the highest maximum uptake rates measured at high supply concentrations had relatively low uptake at low nutrient supply concentrations. Although birch increased phosphate absorption capacity when grown under a low nutrient regime, this pattern did not hold for nitrate or ammonium uptake, and other species showed no change in nutrient uptake capacity according to nutrient growth regime. Clearly, factors other than nutrient absorption capacity, such as nutrient use efficiency or allocation to root vs. shoot biomass, underlie differences in species' capacities to colonize and maintain a high relative growth rate in canopy gaps.     

Ammonium and nitrate uptake by Eucalyptus nitens: effects of pH and temperature

Ammonium and nitrate uptake by roots of Eucalyptus nitens was characterised with respect to pH and temperature. Uptake of ammonium and nitrate was measured as depletion from solutions by roots of intact 11 week old solution-cultured seedlings. Uptake rates of ammonium were consistently higher than those of nitrate in all experiments. Uptake rates for ammonium were 200% higher at pH 4 than at pH 6, but for nitrate were unchanged. Uptake rates of ammonium and nitrate were both reduced to a similar extent (70%) with a decrease in temperature from 20 °C to 10 °C. For ammonium uptake, there was rapid (<24 hr) adaptation to a reduction in root temperature. The apparent preference shown here for ammonium over nitrate could be indicative of E. nitens growing in cold, acidic forest soils where ammonium is commonly more available than nitrate. These results suggest that N uptake rates of E. nitens may be maximised under a wide variety of conditions if N is supplied predominantly in the ammonium form. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Spatial variations in nutrient supply to the red algae Eucheuma serra (J. Agardh) J. Agardh

The nutrient supply rates within the canopy of the economically important red algal species, Eucheuma serra J. Agardh were determined experimentally in a recirculating flow-chamber. A single individual was placed in the working section of the 2000 × 200 × 250 mm³ acrylic flow-chamber and subjected to unidirectional water velocities from 1.0 to 9.3 cm s⁻¹. Rates of nutrient supply were determined using 9.7 mm diameter CaSO₄ (gypsum) spheres that were attached to the thallus inside and outside of the canopy. The supply rates within the canopy were 56% less than outside of the canopy. Increases in internal and external water velocity asymptotically increased the nutrient supply rates regardless of location. A model was developed to examine how changes in ammonium and nitrate supply compared with the physiologically maximum uptake rates of these nutrients. The results suggest that when the ammonium concentration in the water was 20 µmol L⁻¹ uptake rates were limited by the supply rate especially at velocities below 5 cm s⁻¹, whereas in the case of 20 µmol L⁻¹ of nitrate, the supply of nitrate was more than adequate to maximize nutrient uptake.     

Nitrate uptake,nitrate reductase distribution and their relation to proton release in five nodulated grain legumes

Nitrate uptake, nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and net proton release were compared in five grain legumes grown at 0.2 and 2 mM nitrate in nutrient solution. Nitrate treatments, imposed on 22-d-old, fully nodulated plants, lasted for 21 d. Increasing nitrate supply did not significantly influence the growth of any of the species during the treatment, but yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) had a higher growth rate than the other species examined. At 0.2 mM nitrate supply, nitrate uptake rates ranged from 0.6 to 1.5 mg N g(-1) d(-1) in the order: yellow lupin > field pea (Pisum sativum) > chickpea (Cicer arietinum) > narrow-leafed lupin (L angustifolius) > white lupin (L albus). At 2 mM nitrate supply, nitrate uptake ranged from 1.7 to 8.2 mg N g(-1) d(-1) in the order: field pea > chickpea > white lupin > yellow lupin > narrow-leafed lupin. Nitrate reductase activity increased with increased nitrate supply, with the majority of NRA being present in shoots. Field pea and chickpea had much higher shoot NRA than the three lupin species. When 0.2 mM nitrate was supplied, narrow-leafed lupinreleased the most H+ per unit root biomass per day, followed by yellow lupin, white lupin, field pea and chickpea. At 2 mM nitrate, narrow-leafed lupin and yellow lupin showed net proton release, whereas the other species, especially field pea, showed net OH- release. Irrespective of legume species and nitrate supply, proton release was negatively correlated with nitrate uptake and NRA in shoots, but not with NRA in roots.     

莴笋对不同形态氮素的反应

探讨了不同形态氮素对莴笋生长发育的影响及其营养特性。结果表明,莴笋幼苗根系对NH4^+ -N的亲和力稍大于NO3^- -N的亲和力;分别供给NO3^- -N+NO3^- -N及NH4^+ -N,莴笋的生物学产量和吸N量均依次递减（分别为100：56.9：12.4,100：48.9：8.6）,因此在水培条件下,NO3^- -N是最适合莴笋生长发育的氮源,NH4^+ -N与NO3^- -N各占50％时对莴笋的生长发育已有一定的抑制作用,仅以NH4^+ -N作氮源则莴笋很难生长;NH4^+ -N与NO3^- -N各占50％时,莴笋倾向于吸收较多的NH4^+ -N,而且在培养不同阶段NH4^+/NO3^-吸收比例均大于1,莴笋表现出喜铵性,但NH4^+ -N并非莴笋很适合的氮源;营养液中NO3^- -N不足,主要影响莴笋茎叶的生长,而NH4^+ -N所占比例达50％时,莴笋根系生长受到抑制,且有明显的受害症状;以NO3^- -N作氮源预培养两周,以含微量NO3^- -N的自来水为水源,再单独以NH4^+ -N为氮源,对莴笋生长有极大的促进作用,同时还大幅度降低了体内硝酸盐的含量。尿素作氮源莴笋未出现受害症状,但莴笋的生长发育状况明显劣于其它氮源。     

Uptake of ammonium and nitrate by carob (Ceratonia siliqua) as affected by root temperature and inhibitors

Seedlings of carob ( Ceratonia siliqua L. cv. Mulata) were grown in nutrient solution culture for 5 weeks, with or without nitrogen at different root temperatures (10, 16, 22, 30, 35 or 40deg;C) and with the air temperature kept between 20 and 24°C. The nitrogen was given as either ammonium or nitrate. At all root temperatures studied, nitrogen-depleted plants developed higher net uptake rates for nitrogen than plants grown in the presence of nitrogen. Temperature affected the kinetic parameters of nitrate uptake more than those of ammonium uptake. With increasing root temperature, the K_m of ammonium uptake decreased, but to a lesser extent than the K_m for nitrate. The increase in V_max of ammonium uptake with temperature was also less noticeable than that for nitrate uptake. Ammonium and nitrate uptakes were inhibited in a similar way by respiratory or protein synthesis inhibitors. It may be noted that ammonium uptake in the presence of inhibitors at 40°C was higher than uptake at 10°C without inhibitors. Some similarities between the transport mechanisms for nitrate and ammonium are underlined in the present work. Components of both transport systems displayed saturation kinetics and depended on protein synthesis and energy. The following components of nitrate uptake were distinguished: (a) a passive net influx into the apparent free space; (b) a constitutive active uptake and (c) active uptake dependent on protein synthesis. We may similarly define three ammonium uptake systems: (a) a passive influx into the apparent free space; (b) passive diffusion uptake at high temperature and (c) active uptake dependent on protein synthesis. The possible role of the ratio between mechanism (c) and mechanism (b) as determinant of ammonium sensitivity is discussed.     

局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响

通过向玉米幼苗分根装置一侧根室的营养液中加入聚乙二醇(PEG 6000)来模拟植物水分胁迫,并设3种供氮形态(硝态氮、铵态氮、两者各占50%的混合氮),且只加入到一侧根室(当氮加入到和PEG同侧时为水氮异区,加入到无PEG一侧时为水氮同区),测定各处理的光合、生理指标,以研究局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:同一氮形态供给下水氮同区植株的光合速率(Pn)、最大净光合速率(Pmax)、光饱和点(LSP)、CO2饱和点(CSP)、叶绿素a、b及叶绿素总含量、根系活力、氮含量和生物量高于水氮异区,光呼吸速率(Rp)、CO2补偿点(CCP)、木质部汁液脱落酸(ABA)浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率低于水氮异区;供混合氮和硝态氮的植株Pn、Pmax、LSP、CSP、氮含量和生物量高于供铵态氮的植株,而CCP、Rp、木质部汁液ABA浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率变化趋势则相反.可见,同一供氮形态下,水氮同区比水氮异区更利于植物生长,而水氮利用效率在水氮异区下较高;混合氮和硝态氮对植物生长的促进作用优于单一供给铵态氮,但铵态氮更有利于提高水氮利用效率.     

Nutrient uptake in streams draining agricultural catchments of the midwestern United States

1. Agriculture is a major contributor of non‐point source pollution to surface waters in the midwestern United States, resulting in eutrophication of freshwater aquatic ecosystems and development of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Agriculturally influenced streams are diverse in morphology and have variable nutrient concentrations. Understanding how nutrients are transformed and retained within agricultural streams may aid in mitigating increased nutrient export to downstream ecosystems. 2. We studied six agriculturally influenced streams in Indiana and Michigan to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the factors controlling nutrient retention and export in agricultural streams using nutrient addition and isotopic tracer studies. 3. Metrics of nutrient uptake indicated that nitrate uptake was saturated in these streams whereas ammonium and phosphorus uptake increased with higher concentrations. Phosphorus uptake was likely approaching saturation as evidenced by decreasing uptake velocities with concentration; ammonium uptake velocity also declined with concentration, though not significantly. 4. Higher whole‐stream uptake rates of phosphorus and ammonium were associated with the observed presence of stream autotrophs (e.g. algae and macrophytes). However, there was no significant relationship between measures of nutrient uptake and stream metabolism. Water‐column nutrient concentrations were positively correlated with gross primary production but not community respiration. 5. Overall, nutrient uptake and metabolism were affected by nutrient concentrations in these agriculturally influenced streams. Biological uptake of ammonium and phosphorus was not saturated, although nitrate uptake did appear to be saturated in these ecosystems. Biological activity in agriculturally influenced streams is higher relative to more pristine streams and this increased biological activity likely influences nutrient retention and transport to downstream ecosystems.     

A comparative study between two citrus rootstocks: Effect of nitrate on the root morpho-topology and net nitrate uptake

Root morpho-topology and net nitrate uptake of two citrus seedlings, Volkamer Lemon and Carrizo Citrange, grown at two nitrogen supplies (NO₃-N 5 M and 1000 M, respectively) were studied. Root morphological and topological parameters were gauged by an image-specific analysis system (WinRHIZO). Net nitrate uptake was estimated using the nitrate depletion method. The main findings showed that Carrizo seedlings had a dichotomous branching root system characterized by high root tip numbers and long 2^nd order lateral roots. Conversely, Volkamer root systems had a herringbone structure with a long tap root and 1^st order lateral root. Nitrate treatment did not seem to affect the pattern of the two genotypes, except for the 2^nd order lateral roots (Carrizo more than Volkamer) and root/shoot ratio and root mass ratio (Volkamer more than Carrizo) that were significantly different at low nitrate supply. Nitrate treatments induced a diverse net nitrate uptake regulation between citrus rootstocks. Indeed, at low nitrate supply, Carrizo showed a more efficient nitrate acquisition process in terms of: 1) higher net nitrate uptake maximum of the inducible high affinity transport system or full induction (A), (2) higher cumulative nitrate uptake (A_t) and (3) lower t₁ parameter defined as the half time of the net nitrate uptake rate of the inducible transport system during the induction phase, compared to Volkamer. Conversely, at the high nitrate level, only the genotypical difference of the t₁ parameter was maintained. The results suggested that, at the low nitrate level, the morphological root traits such as higher 2^nd order lateral roots and greater root tip numbers of the Carrizo compared with Volkamer seedlings, enhance the capacity to absorb nitrate from nutrient solution.     

MAXIMUM AMMONIUM UPTAKE RATES OF SCENEDESMUS QUADRICAUDA (CHLOROPHYTA) AND MICROCYSTIS NOVACEKII (CYANOBACTERIA) GROWN UNDER NITROGEN LIMITATION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR COMPETITION1

We measured maximum ammonium uptake rates of the green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Brébisson and the blue-green alga Microcystis novacekii (Kom.) Comp. grown in nitrogen (ammonium)–limited chemostats. Maximum uptake rates per cellular carbon were larger in S. quadricauda than in M. novacekii. These rates increased with increased specific growth rates. Maximum uptake rates per cellular nitrogen were also larger in S. quadricauda than in M. novacekii. The maximum uptake rates per cellular nitrogen were nearly constant against increased cellular N:C ratios under nitrogen-limited conditions. The higher maximum uptake rates indicate that S. quadricauda had higher uptake abilities for ammonium than M. novacekii when grown under nitrogen limitation. We examined the competition between both species under two distinct nutrient supply modes, using measured maximum uptake values and computer simulations. Microcystis novacekii prevailed in the small-pulse, high-frequency nutrient supply mode, whereas S. quadricauda became competitively superior in the large-pulse, low-frequency nutrient supply mode. These results indicate that we could control nuisance blooms of blue-green algae in lakes and reservoirs by changing the nutrient supply modes.     

Nitrate and ammonium uptake for single-and mixed-species communities grown at elevated CO2

Sustained increases in plant production in elevated CO₂ depend on adequate belowground resources. Mechanisms for acquiring additional soil resources include increased root allocation and changes in root morphology or physiology. CO₂ research to date has focused almost exclusively on changes in biomass and allocation. We examined physiological changes in nitrate and ammonium uptake in elevated CO₂, hypothesizing that uptake rates would increase with the amount of available CO₂. We combined our physiological estimates of nitrogen uptake with measurements of root biomass to assess whole root-system rates of nitrogen uptake. Surprisingly, physiological rates of ammonium uptake were unchanged with CO₂, and rates of nitrate uptake actually decreased significantly (P<0.005). Root boomass increased 23% in elevated CO₂ (P<0.005), but almost all of this increase came in fertilized replicates. Rates of root-system nitrogen uptake in elevated CO₂ increased for ammonium in nutrient-rich soil (P<0.05) and were unchanged for nitrate (P>0.80). Root-system rates of nitrogen uptake were more strongly correlated with physiological uptake rates than with root biomass in unamended soil, but the reverse was true in fertilized replicates. We discuss nitrogen uptake and changes in root biomass in the context of root nutrient concentrations (which were generally unchanged with CO₂) and standing pools of belowground plant nitrogen. In research to date, there appears to be a fairly general increase in root biomass with elevated CO₂, and little evidence of up-regulation in root physiology.     

Nitrate-uptake capacity of different root zones of Zea mays (L.) in vitro and in situ

The close relationship between nitrate depletion of the subsoil and root-length densities found in field experiments could not be explained by mathematical models simulating nitrate uptake (Wiesler and Horst, 1994). The objective of the present study was the validation of some of the assumptions made in these models namely uniform nitrate-uptake rates (NURs) independent on root age and daytime.Different techniques were developed and compared for the measurement of NUR of different root zones: (i) isolated root segments, (ii) compartmented uptake cuvettes, (iii) depletion of nitrate (water) from agarose blocks placed on specific zones of roots growing in nutrient solution and (iv) in rhizotrones filled with soil over the whole growing cycle of maize plants. All methods yielded a similar magnitude of NUR (10 - 30 pmol cm-2 s-1). However, only intact plants growing in nutrient solution as well as in soil, but not isolated root segments, showed higher NUR at apical root zones compared to more mature branching root zones by a factor of 2 - 8. The NUR of the root apex was particularly sensitive to the nitrogen demand of the plant and the assimilate supply from the shoots as affected by light intensity. At suboptimal, but not at optimal light conditions during preculture, NUR was lower in the dark than in the light. As plants matured, NUR of soil grown plants became increasingly dependent on water uptake. But even if nitrate uptake by mass flow was subtracted from total nitrate uptake, mature roots showed a surprisingly high nitrate-uptake capacity.The results indicate that the formation of root-age classes with different NUR and the assumption of lower NUR at night could improve the modelling of nitrate uptake.     

Preferential Assimilation of Ammonium Ions from Ammonium Nitrate Solutions by Apple Seedlings

Apple seedlings, Pyrus malus L., were grown in complete nutrient solutions containing nitrate, ammonium, or ammonium plus nitrate as the nitrogen source. Uptake of nitrogen was calculated from depletion measurements of the nutrient solutions and by using ¹⁵N labelled nitrate and ammonium salts. If the plants received nitrogen as ammonium only or as nitrate only, the amounts of nitrogen taken up were similar. However, if the seedlings were supplied with ammonium nitrate, the amount of nitrate-nitrogen assimilated was only half that of ammonium. Nevertheless, if ammonium and nitrate were supplied to a plant with a split-root system, with each root half receiving a different ion, the uptakes were similar. The possibility of independent inhibition by ammonium of both nitrate uptake and reduction in the roots is discussed.     

Physiological dissection revealed that both uptake and assimilation are the major components regulating different growth responses of two tobacco cultivars to nitrogen nutrition

• K326 and HD represent major tobacco cultivars in China, which required large N fertiliser input but at different application rates. To understand primary components affecting tobacco N use physiology, we adopted these two varieties as valuable genetic material to assess their growth response to N nutrition.
• We established a hydroponic culture system to grow plants supplied with different N regimes. Plant biomass, N, ammonium, nitrate, arginine, GS and NR activity, N transfer and use efficiency as well as root uptake were examined.
• Our data revealed the preference of K326 and HD to utilise nitrate or ammonium nitrate but not ammonium alone, with 2 mm N supply probably sufficient and economical to achieve good biomass production at the vegetative stage. Moreover, both varieties were very sensitive to ammonium, perhaps due to lack of or abnormal signalling related to nitrate and/or arginine rather than impairment of N acquisition and initial assimilation; this was supported by measurements of the plant content of N, ammonium and activities of GS and NR. Notably, short‐term ¹⁵N root influx studies identified differential uptake kinetics of K326 and HD, with distinct affinities and transport rates for ammonium and nitrate.
• The data suggest that the growth adaptation of K326 or HD to higher or lower N may be ascribed to different competences for effective N uptake/translocation and assimilation. Thus, our work provides valuable information to prompt deeper investigation of the molecular basis controlling plant N use efficiency.

     

Respiratory energy requirements of roots vary with the potential growth rate of a plant species

The rates of growth, net rate of nitrate uptake and root respiration of 24 wild species were compared under conditions of optimum nutrient supply. The relative growth rate (RGR)of the roots of these species varied between 110 and 370 mg g^-1 day^-1 and the net rate of nitrate uptake between 1 and 7 mmol (g root dry weight)^-1 day^-1. The rate of root respiration was positively correlated with the RGR of the roots. Root respiration was also calculated from the measured rate of growth and nitrate uptake, using previously determined values for the costs of maintenance, growth and ion uptake of two slow-growing species. The calculated rate of respiration was slightly lower than the measured one for slow-growing species, but twice as high as measured rates for rapid-growing species. This discrepancy was not due to a relatively smaller electron flow through the alternative pathway and, consequently, a more efficient ATP production in the fast-growing species. Neither could variation in specific costs for root growth or maintenance explain these differences. Therefore, we conclude that fast-growing species have lower specific respiratory costs for ion uptake than slow-growing ones. Due partly to these lower specific costs of nutrient uptake, the fraction of respiration that rapid-growing species spend on anion uptake is lower than that of slow-growing species, in spite of the much higher rate of ion uptake of the fast-growing ones.