不同铵硝配比对弱光下白菜氮素吸收及相关酶的影响

以黑色遮阳网覆盖模仿弱光环境, 使光照强度为自然光的20%左右, 以自然光照为对照, 采用精确控制水培溶液氮素营养, 研究NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N 比例分别为0/100、25/75、50/50、75/25、100/0 对弱光下白菜氮代谢及硝酸还原酶和谷氨酰胺合成酶活性的影响。结果表明, 弱光下, 白菜的鲜重及叶片总氮量以NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N 比为25/75 时最大, NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N 比为100/0 时最低。随弱光处理的进行, 白菜叶片中硝酸还原酶活性及谷氨酰胺合成酶活性均呈下降趋势, 但NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N 比为25/75 时, 可维持叶片内较高的硝酸还原酶活性及谷氨酰胺合成酶活性。试验表明, NH₄⁺-N/NO₃^--N 比25/75 是白菜在弱光下生长的较适宜氮素形态配比。     

Arabidopsis under ammonium over-supply: Characteristics of ammonium toxicity in relation to the activity of ammonium transporters

Because of highly intensive farming practices, crop plants could suffer relatively long terms of ammonium (NH₄⁺) excess stress introduced by overdose application of nitrogen fertilizers. However, the lack of sufficient understanding of plant responses to NH₄⁺ excess stress impairs the detection of effective solutions to this problem. The present work examined the biological influences of over-supplied NH₄⁺ in Arabidopsis thaliana using two mutant lines each with an ammonium transporter (AMT) gene (AtAMT1;1 or AtAMT1;3) knocked out. Our results indicated that lacking one of the major components of root NH₄⁺ -absorbing systems significantly alleviated the toxicity effects on Arabidopsis plants by reducing the accumulation of free NH₄⁺, suggesting that persistent absorption of NH₄⁺ through AMT was the main cause of excessive accumulation of free NH₄⁺ in the plants. Shading treatment led to a reduced transpirational driving force and thereby constrained the accumulation of toxic NH₄⁺ in the plants, finally resulting in higher NH₄⁺ -promoted growth in the wild type (WT). Under the shading treatment, the amt1;1 and amt1;3 mutant plants acquired insufficient NH₄⁺ and showed reduced growth when compared with the WT. Furthermore, the foliar application of sucrose notably alleviated the inhibitory effects on plant growth in the WT but had no effect on either the amt1;1 or amt1;3 mutant plants, indicating that carbon scarcity associated with NH₄⁺ excess is probably a major cause of NH₄⁺ toxicity in plants. Accordingly, increasing carbon source could be a potentially effective approach that alleviates the inhibition caused by NH₄⁺ excess and increases nitrogen use efficiency under NH₄⁺ over-supply.     

Sulfur dioxide resistance of Indian trees

Saplings of Tamarindus indica, Mangifera indica, Pithecolobium dulce, Ficus rumphii, Ficus bengalensis, Holoptelea integrifolia, Syzygium cumind, and Psidium guajava were exposed to varying concentrations of SO₂ and chlorophyll, protein, amino acids, starch, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars were determined. In general, it was observed that on exposure to SO₂ in susceptible plants most of the biochemical constituents accumulated in higher amounts while in plants showing visible damage at extremely high exposure concentration a reverse pattern was obtained.     

Comparison of the Effects of Wet N Deposition (NH4Cl) and Dry N Deposition (NH3) on UK Moorland Species

Increases in N deposition (wet and dry) have been associated with a decline in semi-natural plant communities, adapted for growth on nutrient poor soils in the UK and Europe. The impacts of N deposition applied as either wet NH₄ ⁺ or gaseous NH₃ on vegetation (7 species) from acid moorland in SE Scotland were compared in a dose-response study. Wet N deposition at 0, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 kg N ha^?1 y^?1 was applied as NH₄Cl, and dry deposition as gaseous NH₃ (2, 6, 20, 50, 90 µg NH₃ m^?3) under controlled conditions in open-top chambers. A strong linear dose-response relationship (p<0.05) was found between foliar N content in all seven plant species and applied NH₄?N. However, in the NH₃ treatment, only C. vulgaris and P. commune showed a significant response to increasing N additions. NH₃ was found to increase the rate of water loss in Calluna in both autumn and winter by comparison with wet deposition. For Eriophorum vaginatum, the NH₃ and NH₄ ⁺ treatments showed significant N dose response relationships for biomass. A significant increase in above ground biomass, proportional to the added N, was found for Narthecium ossifragum when N was applied as NH₃ compared to NH₄ ⁺.     

Contribution of dissolved organic nitrogen deposition to total dissolved nitrogen deposition under intensive agricultural activities

For elucidating the atmospheric deposition contribution of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) to the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) deposition rate, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN: NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^–) and DON deposition rates were annually and monthly estimated during 4 and half-yr monitoring period in an experimental multi-farm under intensive agricultural activities of N fertilizer use and animal husbandry in Central Japan. Annual NH₄ ⁺, DON and NO₃ ^– deposition rates in bulk and wet deposition data accounted for 48%, 32% and 20% of TDN deposition, respectively, which indicated that this area is strongly affected by the intensive agricultural activities. The DIN and DON deposition rates were respectively estimated at 21.6 and 10.1 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, which ranked high in a worldwide regional data set. Consequently, this area has been exposed to a large amount of N deposition including DON with N fertilizer input. The difference between bulk and wet deposition rates (NH₄ ⁺ and DON) is one of important factors controlling the N deposition in this area. Monthly DON deposition showed positive correlations with DIN and NH₄ ⁺ deposition rates, respectively, with a significant linear regression curve. The linear regression curve of our monthly data (n = 127) indicates the same trend as the worldwide annual data set (n = 31).     

Influence of Ammonium and Nitrate Nutrition on Plant Growth and Zinc Accumulation by Indian Mustard

ABSTRACT

The source of nitrogen (N) used in soil fertility practices affects plant growth, nutrient absorption, and the availability of nutrients. Consequently, the potential of plants to extract zinc (Zn) from soils may be increased by controlling the ratio of NH₄ ⁺ to NO₃ ^? to maximize growth and Zn accumulation. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of Zn supply and different molar ratios of NH₄ ⁺ to NO₃ ^? on growth and Zn accumulation in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern.). In a factorial experiment with solution culture, Indian mustard (accession 182921) was supplied with two concentrations of Zn (0.05 and 4.0 mg L^?1) in combination with six N treatments with different molar percentage ratios of NH₄ ⁺ to NO₃ ^? (0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, and 50:50) for three weeks. Zinc supplied at 0.05 mg Zn L^?1 represented a common concentration of Zn in solution culture, whereas 4.0 mg Zn L^?1 was excessive for plant nutrition. If the supply of Zn in solution was excessive, plants developed symptoms of foliar chlorosis, which became severe if plants were supplied with 80% of N as NO₃ ^?. Supplying high proportions of NO₃ ^? in the nutrient medium stimulated Zn accumulation, whereas increasing proportions of NH₄ ⁺ (up to 50% of the total N) enhanced shoot growth. The pH of nutrient solutions generally decreased with increasing proportion of NH₄ ⁺ in solutions and with increased Zn supply. The Zn phytoextraction potential of Indian mustard was maximized, at about 15 mg Zn plant^?1, if plants received 10% of the total N as NH₄ ⁺ and 90% as NO₃ ^?.     

Effect of ozone and sulphur dioxide pollutants separately and in mixture on chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments ofOryza sativa

Exposure of rice plants to low concentrations of O₃ and SO₂ singly and in combination showed foliar injury of different levels. The maximum leaf injury was noted in case of O₃+SO₂ treated plants and the minimum in O₃ treated ones. Also the reductions in chlorophylla,b and total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in leaves exposed to O₃+SO₂ mixtures were higher than the reduction noted in case of each individual pollutant. Thus the results suggest a synergism existing between O₃ and SO₂ regarding plant injury, especially with respect to chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of rice (Oryza sativa).     

Impacts of anthropogenic N additions on nitrogen mineralization from plant litter in exotic annual grasslands

Urban regions of southern California receive up to 45 kg N ha^-1 y^-1 from nitrogen (N) deposition. A field decomposition study was done using ¹⁵N-labelled litter of the widespread exotic annual grass Bromus diandrus to determine whether elevated soil N is strictly from N deposition or whether N mineralization rates from litter are also increased under N deposition. Tissue N and lignin concentrations, which are inversely related in field sites with high and low N deposition, determine the rate at which N moves from plant litter to soil and becomes available to plants. The effect of soil N on N movement from litter to soil was tested by placing litter on high and low N soil in a factorial experiment with two levels of litter N and two levels of soil N. The litter quality changes associated with N deposition resulted in faster rates of N cycling from litter to soil. Concentrations of litter-derived N in total N, NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, microbial N and organic N were all higher from high N/low lignin litter than from low N/high lignin litter. Litter contributed more N to soil NH₄⁺ and microbial N in high N than low N soil. At the end of the study, N mineralized from high N litter on high N soil accounted for 46% of soil NH₄⁺ and 11% of soil NO₃⁻, compared to 35% of soil NH₄⁺ and 6% of soil NO₃⁻ from low N litter on low N soil. The study showed that in high N deposition areas, elevated inorganic soil N concentrations at the end of the summer N deposition season are a result of N mineralized from plant litter as well as from N deposition.     

Influence of Nitrate:Ammonium Ratios on Growth and Elemental Concentration in Two Azalea Cultivars

Abstract

Rooted cuttings of Rhododendron canescens “Brook” and Rhododendron austrinum were grown in sand culture with a modified Hoagland's solution under greenhouse conditions. The effect of varying ammonium:nitrate (NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺) ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) on growth, chlorophyll content, plant quality, and elemental tissue concentration were determined. With NO₃ ^? as the nitrogen (N) form, both azalea cultivars exhibited less vegetative growth, lower overall plant quality, with leaves showing visual chlorotic symptoms in comparison to plants receiving NH₄ ⁺ as the N‐form. Leachate pH was highest with NO₃ ^? as the predominate N‐form and decreased significantly with each increment of NH₄ ⁺. With both azalea cultivars, N‐form significantly influenced uptake and utilization of essential plant nutrients. Leaf concentrations of N, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo) were highest with NO₃ ^?‐N. Leaf elemental concentrations of phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) increased as NH₄ ⁺ supplied more of the N‐ratio. Significant differences in Mg, Mn, and Zn were observed between species. Results from this study show that foliar N concentration is not an accurate indicator of plant growth response. Further investigations are needed to determine if foliarchlorosis and low growth rates observed with NO₃ ^? fed plants due to an Fe deficiency, to low nitrate reductase (NR) activity in the leaves, or to a combination of these factors.     

Foliar application of molybdenum in common bean. II. Nitrogenase and nitrate reductase activities in a soil of low fertility

Foliar application of molybdenum (Mo) at 40 g ha^‐1 25 days after plant emergence greatly enhanced nitrogenase and nitrate reductase activities of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), resulting in an increase in total nitrogen (N) accumulation in shoots. Application of 20 kg N ha^‐1 as ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] at sowing decreased nodulation and nitrogenase activity. Rhizobium inoculation did not affect nitrogenase activity which demonstrated that Mo application increased the efficiency of native Rhizobia strains. Nitrogen amendment, either at planting (20 kg N ha^‐1) or as a side dressing (30 kg N ha^‐1) 25 days after plant emergence, did not affect the foliar nitrate reductase activity. Molybdenum foliar spray as ammonium molybdate [(NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄2H₂O] and N applied as a side dressing increased equally the total amount of N in the pods. A 10% increase in the seed N concentration was obtained with foliar application of Mo, while N applied as a side dressing had no effect on seed N concentration. An average increase of 41% in N export to the seeds was obtained by either Mo or N as side dressing. Nitrogen applied at sowing or Rhizobia inoculation had no effect on the characteristics evaluated 74 days after plant emergence. Plants that received either Mo as foliar spray or as side dressed N had similar yields. This demonstrated that, in certain soils, N fertilization may be replaced by a small amount of Mo as a foliar application.     

Transferts d'azote minéral dans les sols froids: Essai de traçage isotopique in situ

In situ analysis of mineral nitrogen dynamics by means of the isotopic tracer method was conducted in a subalpine meadow of the Pyrenees during summer. The observed isotope dilution curves were interpreted by both compartment and stochastic analysis. Only stochastic analysis gave reliable results although the net mean output of ammonium was high (124 mg NH⁺₄-N m^?2day^?1). This high mineralization rate is accounted for by the great size of the labile fraction of organic matter present in the top layer. The released ammonium is quickly taken up by vascular plants, thus reducing nitrogen loss from the ecosystem. Unfortunately, direct foliar labelling during tracer injection does not allow the exploitation of the isotope dilution curve of the plant compartment. This considerably reduces the data supplied by this type of experiment.     

Simultaneous Determination of Gas and Particle Dry Deposition onto Conditioned Surrogate Surfaces

Aerodynamically designed surrogate surfaces were used to determine the relative importance of gaseous (SO₂, HNO₃, NH₃) and particulate species (SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, Ca²⁺) in the dry deposition flux. For 11 sampling periods, we measured the deposition fluxes, ambient gaseous concentrations, size distributions of atmospheric aerosols and some meteorological parameters in Uji. The dry deposition of the gas to a nearly perfect sink was calculated by subtracting the greased surface flux from the total deposition flux to both the greased and reagent impregnated (or water) surface. It was found that the gas phase deposition contributed significantly more (60–93%) than the particulate phase to overall deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The dry deposition velocities of the species were also calculated using the deposition fluxes and the measured ambient concentrations. Comparisons were made between the measured and modeled particulate deposition flux.     

Growth and nutrition of pansy as influenced by N‐form ratio and temperature

Abstract

Pansy (Viola xwittrockiana Gams.) producers often observe nutrient disorders among plants grown during warm periods (>18°C) of the growing season. These disorders typically are not seen when production temperatures are optimal (≥18°C) even though fertility regimes may remain the same. Our objectives were to assess the effects of temperature and nitrogen (N) fertility on growth and nutrition of pansy. Pansies cultivar ‘Crown White’ were grown until lateral branches had open flowers. Treatments consisted of two temperatures (12 and 22°C) and three NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺ molar % ratios (100:0, 62:38, and 25:75) with a total concentration of 100 mg N L^?1. A modified Hoagland's solution was used with NO₃ ^?‐N supplied as Ca(NO₃)₂ and KNO₃ and with NH₄ ⁺‐N as (NH₄)₂SO₄. Cumulative nutrient absorption and foliar nutrient content were determined when plant lateral branches flowered. Root and shoot growth were limited when NH₄ ⁺ was present in solutions at high ambient air temperature (22°C), but not at low temperature (12°C). Individual absorption and accumulation of plant nutrients varied with N regimes and temperatures. Overall, pansies absorbed more total N, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^?, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and less iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) at 12°C than at 22°C. In addition, absorption of NO₃ ^? by pansy was negligible if any NH₄ ⁺ was present in solutions at 22°C. Results suggest that pansy growers should adjust fertility programs according to production temperatures to avoid possible nutritional disorders and maximize plant growth. If maximum growth is to be obtained in warm temperatures, the use of NH₄ ⁺‐containing fertilizers should be reduced or eliminated. However, the choice of NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺ ratio for nutrition may be less important under cool growing conditions.     

Nature and Magnitude of Atmospheric Fluxes of Total Inorganic Nitrogen and Other Inorganic Species to the Tampa Bay Watershed, FL, USA

We estimated the total inorganic fluxes of nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), chloride (Cl^?, sodium (Na⁺, calcium (Ca²⁺, magnesium (Mg²⁺, potassium (K⁺ and hydronium (H⁺. The resistance deposition algorithm that is programmed as part of the CALMET/CALPUFF modeling system was used to generate spatially-distributed deposition velocities, which were then combined with measurements of urban and rural concentrations of gas and particle species to obtain dry deposition rates. Wet deposition rates for each species were determined from rainfall concentrations and amounts available from the National Acid Deposition Program (NADP) monitoring network databases. The estimated total inorganic nitrogen deposition to the Tampa Bay watershed (excluding Tampa Bay) was 17 kg-N ha^?1 yr^?1 or 9,700 metric tons yr^?1, and the ratio of dry to wet deposition rates was ～2.3 for inorganic nitrogen. The largest contributors to the total N flux were ammonia (NH₃ and nitrogen oxides (NO _x at 4.6 kg-N ha^?1 yr^?1 and 5.1 kg-N ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively. Averaged wet deposition rates were 2.3 and 2.7 kg-N ha^?1 yr^?1 for NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^?, respectively.     

Fate of nitrogen and sulphur as affected by the rhizosphere of oilseed rape and barley

Abstract

Within plants, sulphur (S), and nitrogen (N) equilibrium is a requisite for their normal development. Pot experiments with oilseed rape and barley fertilized at different N to S ratios were carried out under glasshouse conditions by using the “rhizobag”; technique. The objective was to compare the induced‐influence of rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere soil on N and S nutrition of the studied plants. Thus, SO₄ ²‐S, NC₃ ^‐‐N and NH₄ ⁺‐N concentrations, and total N and S taken up by the plants were examined. Barley increased the pH of rhizosphere soil whereas no real change of pH was observed with oilseed rape. Both plants took up all the NO₃ ^‐ present in the soil solution, but rapeseed took up greater quantities of NH₄ ⁺‐N and SO₄ ^2‐ ‐S than barley. Moreover, the ratio values of N to S of the aerial parts of the rapeseed were significantly and positively correlated to those of soil available‐N to ‐S ratios while this correlation was significant but negative with barley. This indicated a clear‐cut different influence between the two rhizospheres which oppositely induce the N and S nutrition of the two plant species.     

Elevational trends in the fluxes of sulphur and nitrogen in throughfall in the Southern Appalachian Mountains: Some surprising results

From 1986–1989, a team of scientists measured atmospheric concentrations and fluxes in precipitation and throughfall, and modeled dry and cloudwater deposition in a spruce-fir forest of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which is located in the Southern Appalachian Region of the United States. The work was part of the Integrated Forest Study (IFS) conducted at 12 forests in N. America and Europe. The spruce-fir forest at 1740 m consistently received the highest total deposition rates (～2200, 1200, and 700 eq ha^?1 yr^?1 for SO₄ ^2?, NO₃ ^?, and NH₄ ⁺). During the summers of 1989 and 1990 we used multiple samplers to measure hydrologie, SO₄ ^2?, and NO₃ ^? fluxes in rain and throughfall events beneath spruce forests above (1940 m) and below (1720 m) cloud base. Throughfall was used to estimate total deposition using relationships determined during the IFS. Although the SO₄ ^2? fluxes increased with elevation by a factor of ～2 due to higher cloudwater interception at 1940 m, the NO₃ ^? fluxes decreased with elevation by ～30%. To investigate further, we began year round measurements of fluxes of all major ions in throughfall below spruce-fir forests at 1740 m and at 1920 m in 1993–1994. The fluxes of most ions showed a 10–50% increase with elevation due to the ～70 cm yr^?1 cloudwater input at 1920 m. However, total inorganic nitrogen exhibited a 40% lower flux in throughfall at 1920 m than at 1740 m suggesting either higher dry deposition to trees at 1740 m or much higher canopy uptake of nitrogen by trees at 1920 m. Differential canopy absorption of N by trees at different elevations would have significant consequences for the use of throughfall N fluxes to estimate deposition. We used artificial trees to understand the foliar interactions of N.     

The effect of an NH4 +‐enhanced nitrogen source on the growth and yield of hydroponically grown maize (Zea mays L.)

Increased above‐ground dry matter and grain yields were found for two hydroponically grown maize hybrids (Pioneer‐3925 and Pioneer‐3949) when plants were supplied with an NH₄ ⁺‐enhanced nutrient solution (31 percent of total N) compared with a control (4 percent of total N as NH₄ ⁺). The major difference in yield developed between silking and 2 weeks post‐silking and silking and 4 weeks post‐silking for the P‐3925 and P‐3949 respectively. The reduced nitrogen content of the stover (leaves plus stalk) was consistently higher on the NH₄ ⁺‐enhanced nutrient solution. The decreased production of the control treatment may have resulted from a reduced photsynthetic capacity.     

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Forms on Growth,Photosynthesis, and Yield of Rice Under Cadmium Stress

ABSTRACT

A pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of four nitrogen (N) fertilizer forms [Urea; calcium nitrate, Ca(NO₃)₂; ammonium sulfate, (NH₄)₂SO₄; and organic N] on growth, photosynthesis, and yield of rice under two cadmium (Cd) levels (0 and 100 mg Cd kg^?1 soil). Cadmium addition significantly reduced photosynthetic rate, and the reduction varied with N fertilizer form, with ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)-N and urea treated plants having more reduction. Nitrogen form had a distinct effect on SPAD value, and the effect was also dependent on Cd level and growth stage. Cadmium-stress significantly reduced flag leaf area, but for the second leaf, only the plants supplied with organic N showed the reduction. There was a significant difference in plant height among four N forms, with NH₄ ⁺- and nitrate (NO₃ ^?)-treated plants having the highest and lowest height, respectively. Cadmium stress caused significant reduction in grains per panicle and total plant weight, and the reduction varied with N form, with organic N treatment showing more reduction. There were significant differences among N forms in N and Cd concentrations of the plants subjected to Cd stress, with NH₄ ⁺-N treated plants having highest N and lowest Cd concentrations and NO₃ ^?-treated plants having lowest N and highest Cd uptake. The results showed that the inhibition of Cd stress on growth and yield formation of rice is closely related to N fertilizer form.     

Effects of root‐zone acidity on utilization of nitrate and ammonium in tobacco plants

Abstract

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv. ‘Coker 319') plants were grown for 28 days in flowing nutrient culture containing either 1.0 mM NO₃ ^‐ or 1.0 mM NH₄ ⁺ as the nitrogen source in a complete nutrient solution. Acidities of the solutions were controlled at pH 6.0 or 4.0 for each nitrogen source. Plants were sampled at intervals of 6 to 8 days for determination of dry matter and nitrogen accumulation. Specific rates of NO₃ ^‐ or NH₄ ⁺ uptake (rate of uptake per unit root mass) were calculated from these data. Net photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area were measured on attached leaves by infrared gas analysis. When NO^‐ was the sole nitrogen source, root growth and nitrogen uptake rate were unaffected by pH of the solution, and photosynthetic activity of leaves and accumulation of dry matter and nitrogen in the whole plant were similar. When NH₄ ⁺ was the nitrogen source, photosynthetic rate of leaves and accumulation of dry matter and nitrogen in the whole plant were not statistically different from NO₃ ^‐ ‐fed plants when acidity of the solution was controlled at pH 6.0. When acidity for NH₄ ⁺ ‐fed plants was increased to pH 4.0, however, specific rate of NH₄ ⁺ uptake decreased by about 50% within the first 6 days of treatment. The effect of acidity on root function was associated with a decreased rate of accumulation of nitrogen in shoots that was accompanied by a rapid cessation of leaf development between days 6 and 13. The decline in leaf growth rate of NH₄ ⁺ ‐fed plants at pH 4.0 was followed by reductions in photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area. These responses of NH₄ ⁺ ‐fed plants to increased root‐zone acidity are characteristic of the sequence of responses that occur during onset of nitrogen stress.     

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.