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.     

Tillering,nutrient accumulation,and yield of winter wheat as influenced by nitrogen form 1

When grown with mixtures of nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) and ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N) (mixed N) spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants develop higher order tillers and produce more grain than when grown with only NO₃. Because similar work is lacking for winter wheat, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of N form on tillering, nutrient acquisition, partitioning, and yield of winter wheat. Plants of three cultivars were grown to maturity hydroponically with nutrient solutions containing N as either all NO₃, all NH₄, or an equal mixture of both forms. At maturity, plants were harvested; separated into shoots, roots, and grain; and each part analyzed for dry matter and chemical composition. While the three cultivars varied in all parameters, mixed N plants always produced more tillers (by a range of 16 to 35%), accumulated more N (28 to 61%), phosphorus (P) (22 to 80%), and potassium (K) (11 to 89%) and produced more grain (33 to 60%) than those grown with either form alone. Although mixed N‐induced yield increases were mainly the result of an increase in grain bearing tillers, there was cultivar specific variation in individual yield components (i.e., tiller number, kernels per tiller, and kernel weight) which responded to N form. The presence of NH₄ (either alone or in the mixed N treatment), increased the concentration of reduced N in the shoots, roots, and grain of all cultivars. The effect of NH₄ in either treatment on the concentrations of P and K was variable and depended on the cultivar and plant part. In most cases, partitioning of dry matter, P, and K to the root decreased when NH₄ was present, while partitioning of N was relatively unaffected. Changes in partitioning between the shoot and grain were affected by N treatment, but varied according to cultivar. Based on these data, the changes in partitioning induced by NH₄ and the additional macronutrient accumulation with mixed N are at least partially responsible for mixed‐N‐induced increases in tillering and yield of winter wheat.     

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.     

Potassium,nitrogen, ammonium/nitrate ratio,and sodium chloride effects on wheat growth

Fertigation with KNO₃ as a means of reducing salinity hazards was tested with peanut (Arachis hypogaea) plants grown on dune sand, resulting in a reduction of plant growth and yield. The objective of this work was to study the interactions between N, K⁺ and NaCl as well as the effects of the NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^‐ ratio on vegetative and reproductive growth. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were grown in polyethylene pots with fine calcareous dune sand with different proportions of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐, under saline (60 mM NaCl) and non‐saline conditions. Three replicates were harvested at the beginning of flowering, and one was grown to grain maturity. NaCl reduced shoot dry weight in all the treatments. Increasing the NH₄ ⁺ proportion in the total of 6 mM N in the nutrient solution, increased shoot dry weight, did not change nitrogen concentration in the dry mass but increased P percentage, either with or without 60 mM NaCl. The number of tillers produced in each treatment was correlated with dry matter yield. The effect of the NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^‐ ratio may be explained by alteration of the cation‐anion balance on the nutrient uptake by roots, which lowered pH of the nutrient solution with increasing NH₄ ⁺ concentration, by alteration of the cation‐anion balance on the nutrient uptake by roots, which lowered pH of the nutrient solution with increasing NH₄ ⁺ concentration.     

Stimulating and toxicity effects of nickel on growth,yield, and fruit quality of cucumber supplied with different nitrogen sources

Limited information is available on biological effects of various levels of nickel (Ni) (deficiency to toxicity levels) on growth and yield of certain crops, particularly vegetables. In this sand‐culture study, we investigated the effects of four levels of Ni (0, 50, 100, and 200 μM) on growth, yield, and fruit‐quality attributes of two cucumber cultivars (Cucumis sativus L. cvs. Super Dominus and Negin) supplied with urea or NH₄NO₃ as nitrogen source. Addition of 50 μM Ni to the nutrient solution resulted in a significant increase of shoot and root dry‐matter yield of cv. Negin although this increase was greater in the urea‐fed plants than those fed with NH₄NO₃. In both cultivars, addition of 50 μM Ni increased urease activity and thereby decreased the urea concentration in the urea treatment. Addition of 100 and 200 μM Ni caused a significant decrease in root and shoot growth of cucumber although this decrease was insignificant for cv. Super Dominus in the 100 μM treatment. The highest fruit yield, total soluble solids (TSS), and fruit firmness were achieved at the 50 μM Ni treatment. Regardless of nitrogen source, Ni addition proportional to the concentration used increased leaf Ni concentration and fruit acid ascorbic concentration. The concentration of Ni required for optimum growth and yield of cucumber varied with cultivars. The level of 50 μM was sufficient for optimum growth of cv. Negin in nutrient‐solution culture while lower concentration of Ni was required for cv. Super Dominus. While the beneficial effects of sufficient levels of Ni on growth and yield of urea‐fed plants was greater than with NH₄NO₃‐fed plants, the toxic effects of Ni in these plants were also greater.     

Ammonium/nitrate ratio effects on dry matter partitioning and radiation use efficiency of corn 1

Physiological responses of plants to ammonium (NH₄) versus nitrate (NO₃) nutrition can vary considerably. A greenhouse study was conducted to examine the effect of ammonium‐nitrogen/nitrate‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N/NO₃‐N) ratio on dry matter partitioning and radiation use efficiency in corn (Zea mays L.). The hybrid Funks G 4673A was supplied with nutrient solutions that contained 8:1, 1:1, or 1:8 ratios of NH₄‐N/NO₃‐N. At each of four harvests, plants were separated into leaf blades, stem + leaf sheaths, and roots. Radiation use efficiency was calculated from these dry matter harvests and measured photosynthetically active radiation. Generally, more dry matter was partitioned to the stem than to leaf tissue when supplied with the 1:8 NH₄‐N/NO₃‐N ratio than when supplied with the other N treatments. Corn supplied with 8:1 and 1:1 ratios of NH₄‐N/NO₃‐N resulted in radiation use efficiency values for total dry matter that were significantly higher by 39 and 25%, respectively, than that of corn supplied with the 1:8 ratio indicating that Funks G 4673A was more efficient in converting radiation into dry matter when supplied with high proportions of NH4 than when supplied primarily with NO₃.     

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.     

Response of shoot and root growth to supply of different nitrogen forms is not related to carbohydrate and nitrogen status of tobacco plants

In the present study, we investigated effects of homogeneous or localized supply of different nitrogen (N) forms on shoot and root growth of tobacco. While homogeneous supply of NH₄⁺ and N deprivation inhibited shoot growth compared with application of NO₃^—, the N form had no significant effect on root growth. In contrast, in a split-root experiment, application of NH₄⁺ or N deprivation in one half of the root system repressed root growth compared with the other part of the root, which was supplied with NO₃^—. However, shoot growth was not affected by localized NH₄⁺ application or local N deprivation. Inhibitory effects on shoot and root growth by variations of N supply could not be related to limitations in N or C status of the plants or to NH₄⁺ toxicity. A possible involvement of NO₃^— as a signal compound including of phytohormones is discussed.     

Turnip growth,leaf yield,and leaf nutrient composition responses to nitrogen forms

’Shogoin’ turnip plants (Brassica rapa L.) were grown in sand culture under five nitrate:ammonium (NO₃:NH₄) ratios (N:N of 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 0:1). The leaves expressed symptoms of NH₄ toxicity (reduced growth and curly leaves with dark‐green areas surrounding yellow spots) when NH₄ was the dominant nitrogen (N) form. Increasing NO₃ in the nutrient solution significantly (p<0.01) increased leaf and root fresh weight and dry weight. Leaf nutrient concentration and composition of all elements analyzed, except N and calcium (Ca), responded quadratically (p<0.01) to NO₃:NH₄ ratios, and the highest values were observed with the 1:0 [for molybdenum (Mo)], 3:1 ([or magnesium (Mg)], 1:1 [for boron (B), coper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn ), and zinc (Zn)] or 1:3 [for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)] treatments. Nitrogen and Ca leaf concentration responses were linear and highest at 0:1 and at 1:0, respectively. Cultural practices and fertilizer applications should maintain NO₃ as the dominant N form in the root zone, and the continuous use of NH₄‐ based or NH4‐releasing fertilizers is not recommended for the production of high yields of turnip greens.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer form on pH of the bulk soil and rhizosphere,and on the growth,phosphorus, and micronutrient uptake of bean

Abstract

In a pot experiment, the effects of NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N fertilizer were examined on the pH of the bulk soil and rhizosphere, and on the growth and nutrient uptake of 18–35‐d old bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) supplied with KH₂PO₄ or rock phosphate (Hyperphos). Prior to sowing, the soil was incubated for 16 d to ensure complete nitrification of NH₄‐N which decreased bulk soil pH from 6.8 to 5.5. In other pots, a nitrification inhibitor, N‐Serve, was added together with the ammonium fertilizer and after 18 d growth, the pH of the bulk soil was 6.6 while the pH of the rhizosphere decreased to 4.5. Shoot and root dry matter yield was significally greater for plants supplied with KH₂PO₄ and fertilized with NH₄‐N compared with NO₃‐N. This increased growth by NH₄‐N fed plants was presumably due to a increased nutrient availability caused by the acidification of the bulk soil. Shoot concentrations of ? and micronutrients, such as Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, were higher for plants supplied with NH₄‐N, and more strikingly were higher for plats supplied with NH₄‐N+N‐Serve when expressed on a root length basis. In this latter case, the increased nutrient acquisition by plants could only be due to acidification of the rhizopshere. The inhibitory effect of NH₄‐N+N‐Serve, particularly on root growth, was not caused by NH₄+ toxicity, but was due to a direct effect of N‐Serve as shown by growth comparisons with another nitrification inhibitor, dicyanodiamide (DCD).     

Boron toxicity in kiwifruit plants (Actinidia deliciosa), treated with nitrate,ammonium, and a mixture of both

The objective of this research was to study the effects of nitrogen (N) forms (NO₃^–, 2.6 mM; NH₄⁺, 2.6 mM; NO₃^–, 1 mM + NH₄⁺, 1.6 mM) on the growth and mineral composition of kiwifruit plants exposed to three boron (B) levels (0.025, 0.1, 0.3 mM). The kiwifruit plants were grown in a 1:1 sand : perlite mixture and irrigated daily with nutrient solutions. Shoot height, mean shoot dry weight, the number of leaves, mean leaf dry weight, and N concentration of NH₄‐treated plants were significantly higher compared to the NO₃^– treatment at all B levels. The concentration of 0.3 mM B significantly reduced shoot height for all N treatments. Boron toxicity symptoms appeared 14 days after starting the experiment, when plants were treated with 0.1 and/or 0.3 mM B. The nitrate supply reduced the B concentration of roots, but B levels of different leaf parts were hardly affected by the N form. Furthermore, the NH₄‐N form significantly reduced the Mg concentration of the leaves.     

Effect of N‐form on growth and nutrient content of creeping bentgrass 1

Abstract

The primary nitrogen forms utilized by plants are ammonium and nitrate. Although the importance of nutrients other than nitrogen for proper turfgrass growth is well established, the amounts of these nutrients in the plant tissue in relation to the use of different N‐forms has not been clearly documented. This study was conducted under greenhouse conditions to determine the effect of N‐form and cutting regime on growth, macronutrient, and micronutrient content of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds. ‘Penncross'). Treatments consisted of 100% NO3^? (calcium nitrate), 100% NH₄ ⁺ (ammonium sulfate), and a 50:50 ratio of NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^?. Half the turfgrass plants were maintained at a height of 1 cm (cut), while the other half of the plants were not cut until the end of the study (uncut). The uncut 50:50 treatment yielded the highest shoot, verdure, and total plant dry matter, while the uncut NO₃ ^? treatment produced the highest root dry matter. The uncut NH₄ ⁺ treatment yielded the least shoot, root, and total plant dry matter. Plants of the uncut NO₃ ^? treatment had greater accumulation of macronutrients in the shoot and root tissue compared to plants of the NH₄ ⁺ treatment. The uncut NO₃ ^? and 50:50 treatments had higher total accumulation of micronutrients compared to the uncut NH₄ ⁺‐treated plants. The cut NO₃ ^? treatment resulted in the highest macronutrient and micronutrient contents in the root tissue in comparison to other cut treatments. The cut treatments had the highest percentage accumulation of nutrients in the verdure tissue, while the uncut treatments had the highest percentage accumulation of nutrients in the shoot tissue.     

Growth and nitrogen nutrition of maize (Zea mays L.) in soil treated with the nitrification-inhibiting insecticide Baythroid

A pot experiment was conducted to compare the uptake and dry matter production potential of NH _inf4 ^sup+ and NO _inf3 ^sup- and to study the effect of Baythroid, a contact poison for several insect pests of agricultural crops, on growth and N uptake of maize (Zea mays L.). Nitrogen was applied as (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄, K¹⁵NO₃, or ¹⁵NH₄NO₃ and in one treatment Baythroid was combined with ¹⁵NH₄NO₃. Source of N had, in general, a nonsignificant effect on dry matter and N yield, but uptake of NO _inf3 ^sup- was significantly higher than that of NH _inf4 ^sup+ when both N sources were applied together. Substantial loss of N occurred from both the sources, with NH _inf4 ^sup+ showing greater losses. Baythroid was found to have a significant positive effect on dry matter yield of both root and shoot; N yield also increased significantly. Uptake of N from both the applied and native sources increased significantly in the presence of Baythroid and a substantial added nitrogen interaction (ANI) was determined. The positive effect of Baythroid was attributed to: (1) a prolonged availability of NH _inf4 ^sup+ due to inhibition of nitrification, (2) an increased availability of native soil N through enhanced mineralization, and (3) an enhanced root proliferation.     

The diagnosis of nitrogen deficiency in wheat by means of a critical nitrate concentration in stem bases

Abstract

Stem bases from wheat plants in a glasshouse pot experiment conducted under varying nitrogen and two water regimes, were analysed for nitrate (NO₃) concentration. The concentration of NO₃ at three stages of growth i.e. tillering, jointing and anthesis were related both to rates of applied nitrogen and to shoot dry matter yield at time of sampling. Plotted against rate of increasing nitrogen application, the response curve of NO₃ concentration in wheat stem bases was sigmoidal. The level of nitrogen application at which NO₃ began to accumulate in the plants was the supply at which plants reached maximum dry matter yield. The concentration of NO₃ at which plant yield was 90% of maximum dry matter was taken as the critical level. This concentration was around 1000 ppm NO₃‐N at all stages. Compared with plants supplied with unlimited water, plants under moderate water stress accumulated relatively more NO₃ but had a similar critical NO₃ concentration.

Maximum grain yield was obtained from plants which stayed above the critical level throughout the growing season.     

The future of hydroponics as a research and plant production method 1

Although most plants can use ammonium (NH₄) or nitrate (NO₃) as a source of N, the degree of effectiveness of these two N forms on tomato growth was found to be dependent on the NH₄: NO₃ ratio. The addition of small amounts of NH₄ to NO₃ solutions, up to 14 ppm, improved plant growth but did not significantly change the uptake of K, Ca, and Mg as compared to NO₃ alone. However, with 28 ppm NH₄‐N and above, dry weights and cation accumulations decreased in amounts of about 35 to 50% and in a 12‐day period. The decreased dry weight and cation uptake with 77: 77 ppm NH₄: NO₃ ratio was comparable to that obtained with a O N treatment for the same interval.     

Effects of nitrapyrin,terrazole, and simazine on soil nitrogen transformation and corn growth

Abstract

Nitrapyrin, terrazole and simazine were evaluated as chemical inhibitors of biological nitrification and denitrification. Corn (Zea mays L. cv. Hybrid Pioneer 3343) was grown in 60‐liter pots filled with a 50/50 (V/V) sand/Cecil clay mixture. Chemical treatments consisted of weekly applications of 0.25 ppm nitrapyrin, terrazole and/or simazine concurrently with 20 ppm N as either (NH₄)₂SO₄ or Ca(NO₃)₂ for 9 weeks. Thereafter, only N (20 ppm per pot) was applied to the media every three days for 4 weeks. Nitrapyrin, terrazole and simazine reduced nitrification resulting in both higher total plant N and residual soil NH₄ content relative to the control plants and soil. Plant growth was reduced by the inhibitory effects of the chemicals on nitrification and subsequent NH₄ accumulation in the medium. All chemicals reduced denitrification with terrazole being more effective than nitrapyrin as reflected by higher N contents of plants and residual soil NO₃‐N. Nitrapyrin and/or terrazole applied with Ca(NO₃)₂ increased plant biomass, but simazine, by inducing higher N0₂ concentration in the plant tissues, sharply reduced plant growth relative to the other treatments. When simazine was part of the chemical treatment, its effects on plant growth and total N contents generally outweighed or masked those of nitrapyrin or terrazole.     

Plant species response to ammonium‐nitrate concentration ratios

Most plants can use either nitrate (NO₃) or ammonium (NH₄) as a source of nitrogen. However, the degree of effectiveness of these two forms on plant growth and nutrient uptake is dependent on plant species and NH₄.: NO₃ ratio. The 77: 77 ppm NH₄: NO₃‐N concentration ratio in solution caused the most growth reduction for cabbage, melon, and corn, with corn being least affected. Bean seems to be well adapted to the use of NH₄, and was unaffected by equal concentrations of NH₄: NO₃‐N. The presence of 28 ppm NH₄‐N in the mixture reduced only cabbage growth, whereas growth of melon, bean and com was not affected. All of the species studied responded to the NH4 concentration increase by an increase in anion content in their leaf tissues. The K content in melon and corn leaf was increased with NH₄‐N up to 28 ppm. The K content in tomato and cabbage tissue was reduced at 28 ppm NH₄. The K content in all the species tested was reduced with 77: 77 ppm NH₄: NO₃‐N concentration treatment. Calcium composition reduction in all the plant species was affected at 28 ppm NH₄‐N with reduction to 50% that of all NO₃ nutrition at 77 ppm NH₄‐N. Magnesium composition of corn tissue was most severely reduced by the 77: 77 ppm NH₄: NO₃‐N nutrition. Bean Mg composition was not affected by the NH₄‐N concentration in the 14 to 77 ppm range. Magnesium was reduced in cabbage, melon, and corn by NH₄‐N concentrations above 28 ppm.     

Specific response of sugar beet cultivars to different nitrogen forms

Six cultivars of sugar beet characterized by different sugar contents were grown in water culture on Reid-York nutrient solution for 30 days. Nitrogen was included in the medium in the form of either NH₄NO₃, NH₄Cl or Ca(NO₃)₂ at the concentrations 105, 210 and 420 mg N/l. The results obtained reveal that both shoot dry weight and leaf area were dependent upon the type of cultivar and the form and concentration of nitrogen present in the nutrient solution. The least amount of shoot matter and the smallest leaf area were obtained in the presence of ammonium as the sole nitrogen source. The concentration of total nitrate and ammonium nitrogen measured in the shoot was found to be dependent on the cultivar type and on the concentration of nitrogen present in the nutrient solution. The highest oxalic acid concentrations were detected in plants grown on nitrate. No synthesis of oxalic acid was detected upon growth on ammonium as the sole nitrogen source.     

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.     

Nitrogen supply determines responses of yield and biomass partitioning of perennial ryegrass to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Parcour) grown at eight levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization (0–765 mg/pot) was exposed to ambient (390 ppm) and elevated (690 ppm) carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations for 83 days. Plants were cut three times and dry matter yields determined for each harvest. At final harvest, dry weight of root and stubble biomass was determined, as N concentrations of all plant fractions were determined. Carbon dioxide enrichment effects on yield and total plant biomass increased with increasing N fertilization. The weaker CO₂‐related yield enhancement at low N supply was due to the plants inability to increase tiller number. Root fraction of total plant biomass at final harvest was increased by high CO₂ and decreased by N supply. Root biomass was significantly increased by CO₂ enrichment and for both CO₂ treatments the N supply for maximum root mass coincided with the N supply for reaching maximum total plant biomass. A significant correlation between root fraction of total plant dry matter and N concentration of total plant biomass, which was not changed by CO₂ enrichment, indicates that biomass partitioning between shoot and root is controlled by the internal N status of the plant.