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.