Influence of plant nutrient concentration on growth rate: Use of a nutrient interruption technique to determine critical concentrations of N,P and K in young plants

A method is described for determining the way in which growth rate varies with plant nutrient concentration using a simple nutrient interruption technique incorporating only 2 treatments. The method involves measuring the changes in growth and nutrient composition of otherwise well-nourished plants after the supply of one particular nutrient has been withheld. Critical concentrations are estimated from the relationship between the growth rate (expressed as a fraction of that for control plants of the same size which remained well-nourished throughout) and the concentration of the growth-limiting nutrient in the plants as deficiency developed. Trials of the method using young lettuce plants showed that shoot growth rate was directly proportional to total N (nitrate plus organic N) concentration, and linearly or near-linearly related to K and P concentration over a wide range; the corresponding relationship for nitrate was strongly curvi-linear. Critical concentrations (corresponding to a 10% reduction in growth rate) determined from these results were similar to critical values calculated from models derived from field data, but were generally higher than published estimates of critical concentration (based on reductions in shoot weight) for plants of a similar size. Reasons for these discrepancies are discussed. Nitrate, phosphate or potassium concentrations in sap from individual leaf petioles were highly sensitive to changes in shoot growth rate as deficiency developed, with the slope of the relationships varying with leaf position, due to differences both in their initial concentration and in the rates at which they were utilized in individual leaves. Each nutrient was always depleted more quickly in younger leaves than in older ones, providing earlier evidence of deficiency for diagnostic purposes. Although the plants were capable of accumulating nitrate, phosphate and potassium well in excess of that needed for optimum dry matter production during periods of adequate supply, the rate of mobilization of these reserves was insufficient to prevent reductions in growth rate as the plants became deficient. This brings into question the validity of the conventional concept that luxury consumption provides a store of nutrients which are freely available for use in times of shortage. The implications of these results for the use of plant analysis for assessing plant nutrient status are discussed.     

Predominance of picoplankton and nanoplankton in eutrophic Calder Lake

A study was conducted to examine factors regulating the biomass of algal picoplankton in Calder Lake, a small eutrophic lake in southern New York state. A particular focus was a current paradigm which suggests that larger cells may dominate in nutrient-rich waters, while smaller cells may predominate only in oligotrophic waters. Over two years, phytoplankton biomass consisted predominantly (74% on average) of very small organisms; nanoplankton (<20 to 2 µm: 39%) and picoplankton (<2 µm to 0.2 µm: 35%), despite the presence of surface blooms of colonial cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena limnetica), and dense metalimnetic populations of the dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella. This dimictic system is characterized by relatively high levels of total P (max = 85, % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGabmiEayaara% aaaa!3702!\[\bar x\] = 9.7 µg P/L), inorganic P (max = 26, % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGabmiEayaara% aaaa!3702!\[\bar x\] = 4.5 µg P/L), and total inorganic N (max = 285, % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGabmiEayaara% aaaa!3702!\[\bar x\] = 85 µg P/L), but larger forms were rarely the most abundant. Unlike some marine systems, greater abundance of algal picoplankton was not associated with deeper strata (low light), or warmer temperatures. Data suggest that midsummer nutrient limitation, especially P-limitation, favors the development of pico- and nanoplankton in the limnetic zone of eutrophic lakes.     

The phosphorus economy of a hypertrophic seepage lake in Scania,south Sweden groundwater influence

The phosphorus dynamics and economy of Lake Bysjön, a hypertrophic seepage lake in Scania, southern Sweden, were investigated during 1973–1977. The mean dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentration (1973–1977) was 580 µg · l^–1. There were no correlations between dissolved inorganic P, total organic P, dissolved organic P, particulate P and phytoplankton biomass. Groundwater inflow and lake water outflow through the ground are the most important factors for maintaining a constant water volume. Groundwater seepage is also important for water quality. Groundwater inflow, together with planktonic activity, keeps the P concentration high in the lake water.     

Changes in phosphorus concentrations in a eutrophic lake as a result of macrophyte-kill following herbicide application

Phosphorus (P) concentrations in water and sediment of a highly eutrophic lake were monitored before and after application of diquat to control the macrophyte Potamogeton crispus. Only a relatively small and short-term increase in P concentration in water occurred shortly after plant die-off resulting from herbicide application. Phosphorus concentrations in shallow water sediments decreased during the summer, and those in deep water sediments increased. Although a large increase in P concentration in the water occurred in late summer, it was not attributed to diquat. No major secondary effects of herbicide application were found during this study.     

京东板栗主产区土壤氮磷钾的空间变异

采用经典统计学和地统计学相结合的方法,对京东板栗主产区迁西县土壤氮、磷、钾的空间变异进行了分析.结果表明：迁西县土壤全量氮、磷、钾和速效氮、钾的含量普遍较低,但表层土壤速效磷含量较高;氮、磷、钾的空间分布均表现为中等变异,且以磷的变异最大.表层土壤全氮和碱解氮的分布符合高斯模型,其空间变异主要由结构性因素决定;全钾和速效钾的分布分别符合球状模型和高斯模型,前者空间变异受结构性因素和随机性因素的共同影响,空间相关性为中等;后者主要受结构性因素的影响,空间相关性强烈.氮、钾在全县范围内的空间分布特征相似,高值区均出现在县域南部和西北部,而中部和东北部的含量较低.全磷的高值区主要分布在该县北部,速效磷高值区则分布在县区南部.氮、钾全量和有效态含量之间存在极显著正相关关系,但全磷和速效磷含量的相关性不显著.     

Nutrient limitation of algal periphyton in streams along an acid mine drainage gradient

Metal oxyhydroxide precipitates that form from acid mine drainage (AMD) may indirectly limit periphyton by sorbing nutrients, particularly P. We examined effects of nutrient addition on periphytic algal biomass (chl a), community structure, and carbon and nitrogen content along an AMD gradient. Nutrient diffusing substrata with treatments of +P, +NP and control were placed at seven stream sites. Conductivity and SO₄ concentration ranged over an order of magnitude among sites and were used to define the AMD gradient, as they best indicate mine discharge sources of metals that create oxyhydroxide precipitates. Aqueous total phosphorous (TP) ranged from 2 to 23 μg · L^?1 and significantly decreased with increasing SO₄. Mean chl a concentrations at sites ranged from 0.2 to 8.1 μg · cm^?2. Across all sites, algal biomass was significantly higher on +NP than control treatments (Co), and significantly increased with +NP. The degree of nutrient limitation was determined by the increase in chl a concentration on +NP relative to Co (response ratio), which ranged from 0.6 to 9.7. Response to nutrient addition significantly declined with increasing aqueous TP, and significantly increased with increasing SO₄. Thus, nutrient limitation of algal biomass increased with AMD impact, indicating metal oxyhydroxides associated with AMD likely decreased P availability. Algal species composition was significantly affected by site but not nutrient treatment. Percent carbon content of periphyton on the Co significantly increased with AMD impact and corresponded to an increase in the relative abundance of Chlorophytes. Changes in periphyton biomass and cellular nutrient content associated with nutrient limitation in AMD streams may affect higher trophic levels.     

Decomposition and nutrient liberation rates of plant material in the Parana medio River (Argentina)

The degradation of plant material was studied in order to obtain degradation coefficients and nutrient release kinetics of the vegetation that will be submerged during the filling of the future Parana Medio man-made lake. A group of 13 plant species representative of the whole vegetation of the area were chosen.The plant samples (submerged at 2.5–4 m in the Setubal lagoon), were periodically analyzed during 97 days. The experimental data were fitted to an exponential decomposition model. The plants were classified according to their velocities of degradation into three groups: fast (K>0.01), mean (0.01>K>0.005) and slow (K<0.005). The curves of release of P, N, Ca, Mg, Na and K in function of time are presented and discussed.     

广西木论喀斯特森林土壤养分水平与植被及地形的关系

研究了广西木论喀斯特森林原生植被和次生植被的土壤养分特征,测定了陡坡、缓坡、洼地3种主要地形内林地0～5 cm表层土壤中的有机质(SOM)、氮、磷、钾含量,以及它们在石土面、土面两类主要小生境间的差异.结果表明:林分成熟度高、优势种不明显的原生林积累了高水平的SOM,缓坡石土面最高,达345 g kg-1,洼地的含量较低,但仍在80 g kg-1以上;土壤全氮(TN)、碱解氮(AN)含量也较高.以红背山麻杆(Alchornea trewioides)、广西野桐(Mallotus conspuyrcatus)、伞花木(Eurycorymbus cavderiei)等为优势种的次生林,物种多样性较原生林低,SOM、TN、AN含量也低,缓坡石土面和土面小生境的SOM分别为110 g kg-1和77 g kg-1,是原生林的32%和35%,下降幅度最大,其次为陡坡,而洼地的差异不明显.全磷(TP)、有效磷(AP)、全钾(TK)、有效钾(AK)含量在两林型间差异无明显规律.原生林和次生林土壤养分含量(除TK外)以缓坡>陡坡>洼地;但次生林中三者间无显著差异.同类型样地内小生境土壤养分含量(除TK外)均为石土面含量高于土面.     

Greater soil microbial biomass loss at low frequency of N addition in an Inner Mongolia grassland

低频率的氮添加使内蒙古草原土壤微生物生物量碳出现更大幅度下降 土壤微生物生物量在生物地球化学循环过程中至关重要,是土壤碳固持的前体物质。人为氮输入深刻地改变了草地土壤微生物生物量。然而,传统氮沉降模拟实验仅通过低频率的氮添加进行,与持续高频率的自然氮沉降相比,对土壤微生物生物量的影响可能存在差异。不同频率的氮添加对土壤微生物生物量的影响尚缺乏可靠的数据支撑。本研究通过在不同的氮添加速率(0–50 g N m−2 yr−1)下,控制氮添加频率(每年2次和12次),研究了土壤微生物生物量碳对不同氮添加频率的响应。研究结果表明,在两种氮添加频率下,随着施氮水平的提高,土壤微生物生物量碳逐渐降低。然而,在低施氮频率下,土壤微生物生物量的下降幅度更大,这说明传统的氮添加实验可能高估了氮沉降对土壤微生物生物量的影响。在低施氮频率下,土壤酸化、无机氮积累、碳氮失衡、地下净初级生产力分配减少和真菌细菌比例降低等情况加剧,导致微生物生物量出现较大幅度下降。在未来研究中,为可靠预测氮沉降对草地生态系统土壤微生物功能和碳循环的影响,不仅要考虑氮添加的剂量,还需要考虑氮添加的频率。