Soil inorganic nitrogen composition and plant functional type determine forage crops nitrogen uptake preference in the temperate cultivated grassland,Inner Mongolia

ABSTRACT

Plant nitrogen (N)-acquisition strategy affects soil N availability, community structure, and vegetation productivity. Cultivated grasslands are widely established to improve degraded pastures, but little information is available to evaluate the link between N uptake preference and forage crop biomass. Here an in-situ ¹⁵N labeling experiment was conducted in the four cultivated grasslands of Inner Mongolia, including two dicots (Medicago sativa and Brassica campestris) and two monocots (Bromus inermis and Leymus chinensis). Plant N uptake rate, shoot- and root biomass, and concentrations of soil inorganic-N and microbial biomass-N were measured. The results showed that the root/shoot ratios of the dicots were 2.6 to 16.4 fold those of the monocots. The shoot N concentrations of the dicots or legumes were 40.6% to 165% higher than those of the monocots or non-legumes. The four forage crops in the cultivated grassland preferred to uptake more NO₃^?-N than NH₄⁺-N regardless of growth stages, and the NH₄⁺/NO₃^? uptake ratios were significantly lower in the non-legumes than in the legumes (p < 0.05). Significant differences in the NH₄⁺-N rather than NO₃^?-N uptake rate were observed among the four forages, related to plant functional types and growth stages. The NH₄⁺ uptake rate in the perennial forages exponentially decreased with the increases in shoot-, root biomass, and root/shoot ratio. Also, the plant NH₄⁺/NO₃^? uptake ratio was positively correlated with soil NH₄⁺/NO₃^? ratio. Our results suggest that the major forage crops prefer to absorb soil NO₃^?-N, depending on soil inorganic N composition and belowground C allocation. The preferential uptake of NO₃^?-N by forages indicates that nitrate-N fertilizer could have a higher promotion on productivity than ammonium-N fertilizer in the semi-arid cultivated grassland.     

Root morphology of maize under homogeneous or spatially separated supply of ammonium and nitrate at three concentration ratios

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Anjou 256) seedlings were grown hydroponically for 10 d in a split‐root system (3mM N; pH 5.5) under either a homogeneous supply (HS) or a simultaneous, but spatially separated supply (SS) of NH₄ ⁺ andNO₃ ^‐. Treatments comprised three NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^‐ ratios (1:4, 1:1, 4:1). Shoot dry matter and various root traits (dry matter, number of laterals, length of main axes, total root length and total root surface area) were determined. For all NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^‐ ratios, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total root length, and root surface area, were greater under HS than under SS. Under both SS and HS, increasing NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^‐ ratios resulted in decreased shoot and root dry matter production, but did not alter the shoot:root dry matter ratio. Under SS, root dry matter, root length, and root surface area was greater on the NO₃ ^‐‐fertilized side than on the NH₄ ⁺ ‐fertilized side. The allocation of root dry matter, root length, and root surface area to the NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^‐ compartments was unaffected by changes in the NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^‐ ratio. Enhanced NH₄ ⁺ nutrition has detrimental effects on top growth, but roots are apparently unable to avoid excessive NH₄ ⁺ uptake by proliferating in zones where NO₃ ^‐ is the only form of N.     

Effect of biochar and nitrogen fertilizers on maize seedling growth and enzyme activity relating to nitrification

Maximizing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) involves synchronizing the interplay between nitrogen preferential crops and the nitrogen transformation pathways of soil. Biochar may benefit specific N-preference crops in relatively unsuitable soil environments; however, experimental data are lacking. This study tested eight treatments, consisting of four nitrogen treatments (N0 = control; N1 = NH₄Cl; N2 = NaNO₃; and N3 = 1:1 ratio of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) each with biochar applied at 0% or 2% (w/w). The results show that biochar and/or nitrogen application enhanced maize seedling biomass and NO₃⁻-based fertilizer resulted in higher seedling biomass than NH₄⁺-based fertilizer. With the application of biochar and NH₄⁺-based fertilizer, maize seedling biomass increased and soil NH₄⁺-N content was significantly reduced compared with NH₄Cl sole application. Correlation analysis and redundancy analysis revealed that SOC content and inorganic nitrogen content were the main factors influencing maize growth and N absorption. Biochar with or without nitrogen fertilizer (except N1 treatment) significantly increased β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) activity. Co-application treatments also resulted in higher vector length, an indicator of C limitation—the increment might add to the risk of microbial C limitation. The activity of ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), a key enzyme in nitrification, decreased with the co-application of biochar and nitrogen, suggesting the alteration of nitrogen transformation.     

Potassium and nitrogen effects on carbohydrate and protein metabolism in alfalfa roots

An investigation was conducted to determine the effect of potassium (K) nutrition on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth and metabolism of root total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) and proteins, and to study whether nitrogen (N) fertilization overcomes N deficiency and low root protein concentrations caused by K deficiency. In Experiment 1, nodulated alfalfa plants were grown in plastic pots containing washed quartz sand and provided minus‐N Hoagland's solution containing 0, 0.6, or 6.0 mM K. Shoot and root K concentrations increased with increasing solution K. Root N concentrations were higher in plants receiving 6.0 mM K than in plants receiving 0.6 or 0 mM K, but shoot N concentrations were similar for all treatments. Plant persistence, shoots per plant, and shoot mass increased as solution K levels increased. Root starch concentration and utilization were positively associated with K nutrition. Total amylase activity was higher, but endoamylase activity was lower in roots of plants receiving 6.0 mM K compared to plants receiving 0.6 or 0 mM K. Root soluble protein concentrations were significantly higher in plants receiving 6.0 mM K than in plants receiving 0 or 0.6 mM K. In Experiment 2, plants were supplied with Hoagland's solution containing 10 mM N as ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) or nitrate (NO₃) with 0,3, or 6.0 mM K. The addition of N increased root N concentrations only in plants receiving 0 mM K. Plant persistence was reduced by NH₄ ⁺ application, especially in plants receiving 0 or 3 mM K. Root starch concentrations were markedly reduced in plants receiving NH₄ ⁺ at all K levels. The addition of NO₃ ^‐ had little effect on alfalfa root carbohydrate and protein metabolism and subsequent shoot growth. Potassium deficiency reduced starch and protein concentrations in roots; factors that were associated with poor persistence and slow shoot regrowth of alfalfa.     

Effect of nitrate/ammonium ratio on biomass production,nitrogen accumulation,and use efficiency in sorghums of different origin

Plant nitrogen (N) uptake, growth, and N use efficiency may be affected by N form (NO₃ ^‐or NH₄ ⁺) available to the root. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of mixed N form on dry matter production and partitioning, N uptake, and biomass N use efficiency defined as total dry matter produced per unit plant N (NUE₁) in U.S. and tropical grain sorghums [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The U.S. derived genotype CK 60 and three tropical genotypes, Malisor‐7, M 35–1, and S 34, were evaluated in a greenhouse trial using three nutrient solutions differing in their NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺ ratio (100/0, 75/25, 50/50). Shoot and root biomass, N accumulation, and NUE, were determined at 10‐leaf and boot stages. Averaged over all genotypes, shoot and root biomass decreased when NH₄ ⁺ concentration was increased in the solution. Shoot biomass was reduced by 11% for 75/25 and 26% for 50/50 ratios, as compared to 100/0 NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺. Similarly, root biomass reduction was about 34% and 45% for the same ratios, respectively. Increasing NH₄ ⁺ concentration also altered biomass partitioning between shoot and root as indicated by decreasing root/shoot ratio. Total plant N content and NUE₁ were also reduced by mixed N source. Marked genotypic variability was found for tolerance to higher rates of NH₄ ⁺. The tropical line M 35–1 was well adapted to either NO₃ ^‐ as a sole source, or to an N source containing high amounts of NH₄ ⁺. Such a characteristic may exist in some exotic lines and may be used to improve genotypes which do not do well in excessively wet soil conditions where N uptake can be reduced.     

Rhizosphere effects of maize hybrids and N forms on Cd bioavailability in a limed soil

Replacing new corn genotypes in agricultural practices requires adequate information on the reaction of the selected hybrids to Cd uptake in Cd-polluted soil and an understanding of interactions with N fertilizers. A 2 × 2 × 3 factorial pot experiment with limed soil (pH 8), two maize (Zea mays) hybrids (Pioneer cultivar yellow and Pioneer cultivar white), two N fertilization forms (NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^?) and three Cd exposures (0, 2 and 5 mg kg^?1 soil) was conducted under greenhouse conditions. Shoot dry mass increased significantly with NH₄ ⁺ nutrition compared with NO₃ ^? nutrition in both maize hybrids, with greater negative influence of Cd application combined with NH₄ ⁺ nutrition. The yellow cultivar had significantly greater shoot dry mass and lower Cd uptake than the white cultivar. Both hybrids exhibited similar N uptake in shoots and roots, with the exception of yellow cultivar with NH₄ ⁺ nutrition without Cd application. NO₃ ^? nutrition always decreased Cd uptake in both cultivars compared with NH₄ ⁺ nutrition. The N balance (mean across cultivars and Cd supply) after harvest showed most N uptake with NH₄ ⁺ nutrition (63.4%) and N_min remains in the soil with NO₃ ^? nutrition (48.7%). Soil pH decreased more with NH₄ ⁺ (?0.95 pH units) than NO₃ ^? nutrition (?0.21).     

不同氮源与钾水平对杂交组合及常规稻生长和养分吸收的影响

采用营养液培养法研究了不同氮源和钾水平对杂交稻及其亲本和常规稻生长、叶绿素含量、养分吸收的影响。结果表明 ,水稻生长、叶绿素的含量及养分吸收与氮源供应密切相关。在供钾充足的条件下 ,杂交稻上位叶的干物质产量以硝态氮营养的最高 ,其次为硝态氮与铵态氮混合营养 ;保持系与杂交稻的趋势一致。杂交稻下位叶和根系干物质积累量受 3种氮源的影响与恢复系相一致 ,即 :硝 +铵混合 硝态氮 铵态氮。硝态氮营养比硝 +铵混合及铵态氮更有效地提高杂交稻功能叶片中的叶绿素含量。杂交稻与其亲本植株地上部全氮含量受 3种氮源的影响为 :硝 +铵混合 硝态氮 铵态氮 ;然而杂交稻地上部的吸氮量受氮源的影响为硝态氮硝 +铵混合 铵态氮 ,与保持系的规律一致。杂交稻地上部钾含量及吸收量在 3种氮源处理间有差异 ,表现为硝态氮 硝 +铵混合 铵态氮 ,保持系的趋势一致 ,但与恢复系不同。研究结果还表明 ,杂交稻对硝态氮的营养特性具有明显杂种优势。 3种氮源对水稻生长、营养吸收的影响程度与钾营养状况及水稻品种有关 ;杂交水稻及其亲本较常规稻受影响更大。在高钾供应时 ,各项指标受到氮源影响的程度都明显高于低钾处理 ,其中以硝态氮为氮源更有利于杂交水稻生理及营养优势特性的发挥。     

Impact of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on soil gross nitrogen transformations in a temperate desert steppe

Nutrient addition has a significant impact on plant growth and nutrient cycling. Yet, the understanding of how the addition of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) significantly affects soil gross N transformations and N availability in temperate desert steppes is still limited. Therefore, a ¹⁵N tracing experiment was conducted to study these processes and their underlying mechanism in a desert steppe soil that had been supplemented with N and P for 4 years in northwestern China. Soil N mineralization was increased significantly by P addition, and N and P additions significantly promoted soil autotrophic nitrification, rather than NH₄⁺-N immobilization. The addition of N promoted dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₄⁺, while that of P inhibited it. Soil NO₃⁻-N production was greatly increased by N added alone and by that of N and P combined, while net NH₄⁺-N production was decreased by these treatments. Soil N mineralization was primarily mediated by pH, P content or organic carbon, while soil NH₄⁺-N content regulated autotrophic nitrification mainly, and this process was mainly controlled by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria rather than archaea and comammox. NH₄⁺-N immobilization was mainly affected by functional microorganisms, the abundance of narG gene and comammox Ntsp-amoA. In conclusion, gross N transformations in the temperate desert steppe largely depended on soil inorganic N, P contents and related functional microorganisms. Soil acidification plays a more key role in N mineralization than other environmental factors or functional microorganisms.     

铵硝营养对水稻氮效率和矿质养分吸收的影响

NH_4~+和NO_3~–是对植物有效的两种主要无机氮源。水稻一般被认为是偏好NH_4~+的植物,但是在NO_3~–条件下,水稻也能良好地生长。大多数关于水稻铵硝营养的报道是在pH 6.0左右的水培条件下开展的,但是对于酸性条件下水稻铵硝营养研究很少。随着土壤酸化的加重及一些边际酸性土壤被用作水稻种植,研究酸性条件下水稻的铵硝营养具有重要意义。本文采用水培试验,在pH 5.0的条件下,通过添加和不添加pH缓冲剂MES(2-(N-吗啡啉)乙磺酸),研究了NH_4~+和NO_3~–对水稻生长、氮效率和矿质养分(N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Zn、Cu、Mn)吸收的影响。结果表明,在不添加MES的条件下,水稻地上部生长(株高、叶绿素含量、干重)在NH_4~+和NO_3~–之间没有显著差异,而添加MES后,NH_4~+处理的水稻地上部生长优于NO_3~–。不管是否添加MES,NO_3~–处理的水稻地下部生长(根长、根表面积和根物质量)优于NH_4~+。水稻含氮量和氮利用效率在不同NH_4~+和NO_3~–处理之间没有显著差异,但是NH_4~+处理的水稻氮吸收效率高于NO_3~–。与NO_3~–相比,NH_4~+增加了水稻地上部P和Fe含量,而降低了水稻地上部Ca、Mg、Zn、Cu和Mn含量,对K含量影响较小。上述结果表明,NH_4~+有利于改善水稻地上部生长,提高氮吸收效率、地上部P和Fe含量,而NO_3~–则有利于水稻发根,提高地上部Ca、Mg、Zn、Cu和Mn含量。     

Nitrification and denitrification in an acidic soil of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) field estimated by δ15N values of leached nitrogen from the soil columns treated with ammonium nitrate in the presence or absence of a nitrification inhibitor and with slow-release fertilizers

Forty-two-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Asakazekomugi) plants were treated with complete, K-free (—K), Ca-limited (—Ca), and Mg-free (—Mg) nutrient solutions for 10 days using 2 mM NH₄NO₃ as the nitrogen source, which was replaced with 4 mM ¹⁵ NH₄C1 or Na¹⁵NO₃ for the subsequent 2 days to investigate the absorption, translocation, and assimilation of inorganic nitrogen in relation to the mineral supply. In another experiment plants were grown on NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, NH₄N0₃, and K-free and Ca-limited NH₄N0₃ nutrient solutions for 10 days, and then in the latter three treatments the nitrogen source was replaced with NO₃ ^? and half of the —K plants received K for 6 days to examine the changes in the nitrate reductase activity (NRA).

Wheat plants absorbed NH₄ ^?N and NO₃-N at a similar rate. Influence of K on the absorption of N0₃-N was stronger than that on the absorption of NH₄-N in wheat plants. The supply of K to the —K plants increased the absorption of NO₃-N, while the absorption of NH₄-N still remained at a lower rate in spite of the addition of K. A limited supply of Ca and lack of Mg in nutrient media slightly affected the absorption of NH₄-N. The influence of K was stronger on the translocation of nitrogen from roots to shoots, while Ca and Mg had little effect. When K was supplied again to the —K plants the translocation of NO₃,-N was more accelerated than that of NH₄-N. Incorporation of NH₄-N into protein was higher than that of NO₃-N in all the tissues; root, stem, and leaf. Assimilation of NH₄-N and NO₃-N decreased by the —K and —Mg treatments.

Leaf NRA of wheat plants decreased in the —K and —Ca plants. Higher leaf NRA was found when K was given again to the —K plants than when the plants were continuously grown in K-free media. Replacement of NO₃ ^? with NH₄ ⁺ as the nitrogen source caused a decline of leaf NRA, while the supply of both NH₄ ^?N and NO₃-N slightly affected the leaf NRA.     

Influence of nitrogen forms and levels on the growth and nutrition of cacao

Ammonium and nitrate are the major forms of nitrogen (N) present in tropical soils. An experiment was conducted to assess the influence of nitrate and ammonium forms (NO₃^?, NH₄⁺, and mix of NO₃^? + NH₄⁺), and levels (1.5–12.0 mM) of N on the growth and nutrition of cacao (Theobroma cacao L). Growth parameters were significantly influenced by N forms, and nitrogen supplied as NH₄⁺ proved better for the growth of cacao compared with NO₃^? form and mixtures of these two forms. Irrespective of the forms of N, levels of N had no significant effect on plant growth parameters. Nutrient efficiency ratios (NERs) (shoot dry matter produced per unit of nutrient uptake) for macronutrients were sulfur>phosphorus>calcium>magnesium>nitrogen>potassium (S>P>Ca>Mg>N>K) and for micronutrients NERs were in the order of copper>boron>zinc>iron>manganese (Cu>B>Zn>Fe>Mn).     

Nitrogen source and aluminum toxicity of two sorghum genotypes differing in aluminum susceptibility

After a 35 days growth on nutrient solutions with NO^‐ ₃ NH₄NO₃ and NH⁺ ₄ as nitrogen source (pH 4.2) dry matter yield of the sorghum genotype SC0283 was much less affected by Al (1.5 mg‐¹) than that of the genotype NB9040. With NO^‐ ₃ as the sole nitrogen source only growth of the NB9040 plants was significantly reduced. Since OH^‐ efflux, shoot Al content and concentrations of all major nutrients of both genotypes were almost equal, a higher sensitivity to Al may underlie the lower Al tolerance of the NB9040 genotype. In the presence of NH.‐N Al again lowered d.m. yield of the NB plants. With SCO283 significant Al effects on d.m. yield were observed only with NH₄NO₃. Aluminum drastically increased the amount of protons released per unit of root surface area, especially with the NB9040 line. This shift in proton flux density was partly the result of a decrease of the specific root surface area and partly due to enhanced excess of catlonic nutrients taken up. With NH₄NO₃‐fed plants the latter could almost completely be attributed to a changed N preference brought about by inhibited uptake of NO^‐ ₃ and a simultaneous enhanced NH, absorption. Although both proton efflux and NH⁺ ₄ preference of the NB plants were severely increased by Al, relative yields of this genotype were not lowered by NH⁺ _4. This can probably be explained by (1) the high NH, sensitivity of this cultivar through which Al effects can be masked and (2) the continuous adjustment of the solution pH through which rhizosphere conditions were prevented.     

Accumulation and partitioning of biomass and soluble carbohydrates in maize seedlings as affected by source of nitrogen,nitrogen concentration,and cultivar 1

Abstract

Seedlings of four maize hybrids were grown hydroponically to investigate the impact of different N sources (Ca(NO₃)₂, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and a 1:1 mixture of both) on (i) production and partitioning of root and shoot dry matter, (ii) concentration of soluble carbohydrates in roots and shoots and their partitioning to these plant parts, (iii) concentration of starch in the shoot, and (iv) N uptake. During the main phase of the experiments (duration 14d), the plants were grown in a greenhouse at 25/22°C day/night temperatures and a photoperiod of 16h. Nitrogen was supplied at three concentrations (2.8, 28, and 280 ppm). The root‐zone pH was 6.5. Under the lowest N supply, the N sources produced similar root and shoot dry matters. At the highest N level (280 ppm), NO₃‐fed plants were superior. In contrast, the mixture of NH₄ and NO₃ ^? was optimum at 28 ppm. More or less pronounced N form by N concentration interactions were also found in the concentration and distribution of soluble carbohydrates and in all remaing traits. There were almost statistically significant cultivar by N form interactions in shoot dry matter (P = 0.07) and total dry matter (P = 0.06), indicating the existence of considerable genotypic variation in sensivity to NH₄‐N.     

氮肥形态及配比对菠菜生长和安全品质的影响

【目的】铵态氮肥和硝态氮肥是蔬菜生长过程中经常施用的氮肥种类,氮肥形态及配比对蔬菜生长和安全品质有着重要影响。菠菜是一种叶菜类蔬菜,富含矿质元素、维生素C和维生素E。本文通过施用铵态氮和硝态氮肥,探究氮肥形态及其配比(NH+4-N/NO-3-N)对菠菜生长和安全品质的影响。【方法】采用水培试验,设置5种不同氮素形态配比(NH+4-N/NO-3-N比值分别为100∶0、75∶25、50∶50、25∶75和0∶100)的营养液,定期采集菠菜样品并测定菠菜的生物量、株高、根系长度、硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐、有机酸和氨基酸参数值。【结果】随着NH+4-N/NO-3-N比值从100∶0变化到0∶100,菠菜的生物量、株高、根系长度、硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐累积量以及有机酸含量均呈增加趋势,而氨基酸总量则明显下降;当NH+4-N/NO-3-N比值为0∶100时,菠菜茎叶生物量为6.2g/plant,株高和根系长度分别为16.3 cm和22.5 cm,分别是NH+4-N/NO-3-N比值为100∶0时的6倍、2.2倍和2.0倍,表明菠菜是一种喜硝酸盐氮的蔬菜;当NH+4-N/NO-3-N比值由0∶100变为25∶75时,即在氮肥组合中增加25%的铵态氮肥,此时的硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐含量分别由398.5 mg/kg、1.42 mg/kg降为249.1 mg/kg、0.98mg/kg,降幅为37.5%和8.0%,表明在菠菜生长过程中适当增施铵态氮肥可有效降低硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐在茎叶中的累积;当NH+4-N/NO-3-N比值从100∶0变化到0∶100,对6种有机酸(苹果酸、富马酸、琥珀酸、α-酮戊二酸、柠檬酸和丙酮酸)而言,增加幅度最大的是富马酸,约8.6倍,增加幅度最小的是柠檬酸,约2.5倍,苹果酸则在NH+4-N/NO-3-N=25∶75时达到最大值,为985.3 mg/L;随着NH+4-N比例的减少,菠菜茎叶中的氨基酸总量呈下降趋势,NH+4-N/NO-3-N比值为100∶0、75∶25、50∶50、25∶75和0∶100的氨基酸总量分别为21.80μmol/g、12.92μmol/g、9.20μmol/g、8.30μmol/g和7.50μmol/g,表明菠菜的营养价值降低,这一趋势与上述所研究的指标(株高、根系长度、硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐含量以及有机酸含量)有着明显的区别。【结论】菠菜是一种典型的喜硝态氮类蔬菜,施用硝态氮肥可明显提高菠菜产量,但过高的施用量可导致菠菜安全品质下降。适当增施铵态氮肥可降低硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐在菠菜体内的累积,并有效调节氨基酸和有机酸的代谢。因此,在菠菜种植过程,应该合理地搭配铵态氮肥和硝态氮肥,以便在保证安全性和营养价值的基础上获取最大的生物量。     

The effect of form and level of inorganic N on nitrogen use efficiency of sugarcane grown in pots

To-date, assessments of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of sugarcane have not included the contribution of its components, nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE). This study determined these values, based on biomass and plant nitrogen (N) content, in two four-month-old pot-grown genotypes. The treatments included six N regimes, with nitrate (NO₃^—N) or ammonium (NH₄⁺-N) supplied alone, or as NO₃^?-N for the first 6 weeks and then NH₄⁺-N until harvest, each as 4 or 20 mM. Regardless of the N form, NUE was higher at four than at 20 mM due to significantly higher NUpE at low N supply. The results indicated that there was luxury N uptake and preference for NH₄⁺-N nutrition, which resulted in the highest determined NUE. There were significant differences between genotypes in biomass, morphological growth parameters, N uptake, total plant N and NUE, the latter matching previously established sucrose yield-based NUE field rankings.     

Uptake,Transport, and Concentration of Chloride and Sodium in Three Citrus Rootstock Seedlings

ABSTRACT

Aspects of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) toxicity in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were investigated following growth with different N sources [nitrate (NO₃ ^?), NH₄ ⁺, or NH₄NO₃] supplied in concentrations of 1, 5, 10, or 15 mM. Plant dry weights and root: shoot ratios were lower with NH₄ ⁺-fed plants than with NO₃ ^?-fed plants. Ammonium accumulated strongly in leaves, stem, and roots when the concentration in the growth medium exceeded 1 mM. The increase in tissue NH₄ ⁺ coincided with saturation of glutamine synthetase activity and accumulation of glutamine and arginine. Low tissue levels of calcium and magnesium in the NH₄ ⁺-fed plants constituted part of the NH₄ ⁺-toxicity syndrome. Additions of small amounts of NH₄ ⁺ to NO₃ ^? -grown cucumber plants markedly increased the growth.     

NITRATE/AMMONIUM RATIOS AFFECT RYEGRASS GROWTH AND NITROGEN ACCUMULATION IN A HYDROPONIC SYSTEM

Ryegrass has increasingly been used in constructed wetlands for treatment of eutrophic wastewater. To properly match plant species with the characteristics of wastewater being treated, it is important to know the performance of plant species under different nitrate/ammonium (NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺) ratios. We investigated ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) dry matter (DM) production and N accumulation under five NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratios (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 0/100) in a hydroponic system. The results showed that ryegrass total DM, shoot DM, root DM and nitrogen (N) accumulation were greater under NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratios of 50/50 and 75/25 than under other NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratios, indicating that ryegrass can be best used in constructed wetlands for treating wastewater with such NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratios to achieve high biomass production and efficient removal of N. On the other hand, for treating wastewater with either NO₃ ^? or NH₄ ⁺ dominate the inorganic N, other plant species that are more adapted to such conditions should be explored.     

Cycling of nitrogen and potassium between shoot and roots in maize as affected by shoot and root growth

In nitrate-fed plants cycling of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) may serve several functions including supply of the roots with nutrients needed for growth, signalling of the growth-related shoot demand for nutrients to the roots, and removal of excess K from the shoot. In the present study, cycling and recycling of N and K were estimated in plants showing different rates of shoot and root growth. To induce these variations in growth, the plants were cultured with the same optimal nutrient supply but with the root zone temperature (RZT) at 12°C or 24°C. Additionally at both RZT, the plants were grown with their shoot base including apical shoot meristem at high or low temperature (SBT). Decreasing the RZT to 12°C drastically diminished root growth and accumulation of N and K in the roots. Cycling of N and K were less reduced by low RZT. At both RZT, N and K cycling were markedly reduced at low in comparison to high SBT although root growth was not affected by the SBT. Obviously, N and K cycling from shoot to roots were more affected by shoot growth than by the growth related demand of the roots for nutrients. At both RZT, N and K cycling exceeded accumulation in the roots. It was estimated that at least 20—33% of the N, and 24—51% of the K translocated from the roots to the shoot in the xylem is not directly derived from root uptake but from cycling. Plant culture at low shoot base temperature (SBT) drastically diminished shoot growth, and the accumulation of N and K in the shoot to less than 50% of the values measured in plants grown at high SBT. The low SBT-induced decrease of N accumulation in the shoot, at both RZT was associated with a reduction of K circulation and recirculation rates to less than 50% of those found in plants grown at high SBT. These findings are in accordance with the suggested role of K⁺ for charge balance facilitating the transport of NO₃^— in the xylem and disposal of the negatively charged products of NO₃^— assimilation from shoot to roots in the phloem. In plants cultured at low SBT, net uptake and translocation rates of N and K were diminished to less than 50% of those measured in plants grown at high SBT. This repression was associated with reduced rates of N and K cycling from the shoot to the roots. Obviously, low rates of N and K cycling from the shoot to the roots are not necessarily signals to increase uptake in the roots. It is suggested that for plants adequately supplied with N, high rates of N cycling and recycling might be the consequence of an apparent lack in control of phloem loading of amino acids in the leaves.     

两个品种水稻中硝酸盐吸收和利用率对氮素饥饿的响应特征

Ammonium（NH＋4） is the main nitrogen（N） form for rice crops, while NH＋4near the root surface can be oxidized to nitrate（NO-3）by NH＋4-oxidizing bacteria. Nitrate can be accumulated within rice tissues and reused when N supply is insufficient. We compared the remobilization of NO-3stored in the tissue and vacuolar between two rice（Oryza sativa L.） cultivars, Yangdao 6（YD6, indica）with a high N use efficiency（NUE） and Wuyujing 3（WYJ3, japonica） with a low NUE and measured the uptake of NO-3, expression of nitrate reductase（NR）, NO-3transporter genes（NRTs）, and NR activity after 4 d of N starvation following 7-d cultivation in a solution containing 2.86 mmol L-1NO-3. The results showed that both tissue NO-3concentration and vacuolar NO-3activity were higher in YD6 than WYJ3 under N starvation. YD6 showed a 2- to 3-fold higher expression of OsNRT2.1 in roots on the 1st and 4th day of N starvation and had significantly higher values of NO-3uptake（maximum uptake velocity, Vmax） than the cultivar WYJ3.Furthermore, YD6 had significantly higher leaf and root maximum NR activity（NRAmax） and actual NR activity（NRAact） as well as stronger root expression of the two NR genes after the 1st day of N starvation. There were no significant differences in NRAmax and NRAact between the two rice cultivars on the 4th day of N starvation. The results suggested that YD6 had stronger NRA under N starvation, which might result in better NO-3re-utilization from the vacuole, and higher capacity for NO-3uptake and use, potentially explaining the higher NUE of YD6 compared with WYJ3.     

Phosphorus uptake of maize as affected by ammonium and nitrate nitrogen - Measurements and model calculations -

Phosphorus uptake is often enhanced by ammonium compared to nitrate nitrogen nutrition of plants. A decrease of pH at the soil-root interface is generally assumed as the cause. However, an alteration of root growth and the mobilization of P by processes other than net release of protons induced by the source of nitrogen may also be considered. To study these alternatives a pot experiment was conducted with maize using a fossil Oxisol high in Fe/Al-P with low soil solution P concentration. Three levels of phosphate (0, 50, 200 mg P kg^?1) in combination with either ammonium or nitrate nitrogen (100 mg N kg^?1) were applied. Plants were harvested 7 and 21 d after sowing, P uptake measured and root and shoot growth determined. To assess the importance of factors involved in the P transfer from soil into plants, calculations were made using a model of Barber and Claassen. In the treatments with no and low P supply NH₄-N compared to NO₃-N nutrition increased the growth of the plants by 25 % and their shoot P content by 38 % while their root growth increased by 6 % only. The rhizosphere pH decreased in the NH₄-N treatments by 0.1 to 0.6 units as compared to the bulk soil while in the NO₃-N treatments it increased by 0.1 to 0.5 units. These pH changes had a minor influence on P uptake only, as was demonstrated by artificially altering the soil pH to 4.7 and 6.3 respectively. At the same rhizosphere pH, however, P influx was doubled by the application of NH₄-compared to NO₃-N. It is concluded that in this soil the enhancement of P uptake of maize plants after ammonium application cannot be attributed to the acidification of the rhizosphere but to effects mobilizing soil phosphate or increasing P uptake efficiency of roots. Model calculation showed that these effects accounted for 53 % of the P influx per unit root length in the NO₃-N and 72 % in the NH₄-N supplied plants if no P was applied. With high P application the respective figures were only 18 and 19%.