The use of nitrogen-15 natural abundance and nitrogen yield of non-nodulating isolines to estimate nitrogen fixation by soybeans (Glycine max L.) across three elevations

Summary Dissimilarities in soil N uptake between N₂-fixing and reference non-N₂-fixing plants can lead to inaccurate N₂ fixation estimates by N difference and ¹⁵N enrichment methods. The natural ¹⁵N abundance ( ¹⁵N) method relies on a stabilized soil ¹⁵N pool and may provide reliable estimates of N₂ fixation. Estimates based on the ¹⁵N and differences in N yield of nodulating and non-nodulating isolines of soybean were compared in this study. Five soybeans from maturity groups 00, IV, VI, and VIII and their respective non-nodulating isolines were grown at three elevations differing in ambient temperature and soil N availability. Despite large differences in phenological development and N yield between the non-nodulating isolines, the ¹⁵N values measured on seeds were relatively constant within a site. The ¹⁵N method consistently produced lower N₂ fixation estimates than the N difference method, but only in three of the 15 observations did they differ significantly. The average crop N derived from N₂ fixation across sites and maturity groups was 81% by N difference compared to 71% by ¹⁵N. The magnitude of difference between the two methods increased with increasing proportions of N derived from N₂ fixation. These differences between the two methods were not related to differences in total N across sites or genotypes. The low N₂ fixation estimates based on ¹⁵N might indicate that the nodulating isolines had assimilated more soil N than the non-nodulating ones. A lower variance indicated that the estimates by N difference using non-nodulating isolines were more precise than those by ¹⁵N. Since the differences between the estimates were large only at high N₂ fixation levels (low soil N availability), either method may be used in most situations when a non-nodulating isoline is used as the reference plant. The ¹⁵N method may have a comparative advantage over N difference and ¹⁵N enrichment methods in the absence of a suitable non-N₂-fixing reference plant such as a non-nodulating isoline.     

Stable C and N isotope values of selected components of a tropical australian sugarcane ecosystem

The ¹³C and ¹⁵N values of sugarcane plant tissues, decomposing harvest residues, soil and the casts and body tissues of the earthwormPontoscolex corethrurus were determined. Little variation in ¹³C values was found between plant parts. The ¹³C values of the decomposing harvest residues declined and became more variable after 148 days of exposure in the field. In the decomposing residues, ¹³C values of the neutral detergent fibre fraction were similar to those of the whole tissues while those of the proximate lignin were more negative. The ¹⁵N values of the residues also declined over time after a short initial delay.P. corethrurus populations are more intimately associated with the roots of sugarcane than with the bulk soil. Tissue ¹³C values suggest that the earthworm diet is similar to or more enriched in¹³C than sugarcane tissues and is substantially more enriched than the soil C. Earthworm tissues have similar levels of¹⁵N enrichment to both the soil and plant tissues. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that this earthworm derives much of its assimilated C relatively directly from organic matter associated with the roots and decomposing harvest residues.     

Microbial assimilation of plant-derived carbon in soil traced by isotope analysis

The flow of new and native plant-derived C in the rhizosphere of an agricultural field during one growing season was tracked, the ratios in different soil C pools were quantified, and the residence times (s) were estimated. For this the natural differences in ¹³C abundances of: (1) C₄ soil (with a history of C₄ plant, Miscanthus sinensis, cultivation), (2) C₃ soil (history of C₃ plant cultivation), and (3) C_4/3 soil (C₄ soil, planted with a C₃ plant, Triticum aestivum) were used. Total amounts and ¹³C values of total soil C, non-hydrolysable C, light fraction C, water-soluble C, microbial biomass C, and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) were determined. Using the ¹³C values of soil C in a mixing and a 1-box model enabled the quantification of relative contributions of C₃ plant and C₄ plant C to the total amount of the respective C pools in the C_4/3 soil and their s. Compared to early spring (March), the percentage of C₃ plant C increased in all pools in June and August, showing the addition of new C to the different soil C fractions. In August the contribution of new C to microbial biomass C and water-soluble C reached 64 and 89%, respectively. The s of these pools were 115 and 147 days. The ¹³C values of the dominant soil PLFA, 18:17c, cy19:0, 18:19c, 16:0, and 10Me16:0, showed wide ranges (–35.1 to –13.0) suggesting that the microbial community utilized different pools as C sources during the season. The ¹³C values of PLFA, therefore, enabled the analysis of the metabolically active populations. The majority of ¹³C values of PLFA from the C_4/3 soil were closely related to those of PLFA from the C₃ soil when T. aestivum biomass contributions to the soil were high in June and August. Specific populations reacted differently to changes in environmental conditions and supplies of C sources, which reflect the high functional diversity of soil microorganisms.     

Bioaccumulation of selenium by floating aquatic plants

The degree to which floating aquatic plants concentrate Se in tissues was determined for four species grown in solutions containing various levels of Se. Results of this greenhouse study showed that all four plant species, Azolla caroliniana, Eichhornia crassipes, Salvinia rotundi folia, and Lemna minor absorbed Se quickly upon exposure to Se in water as concentrated as 2.5 g Se mL^–1, and attained maximum tissue concentrations within 1 to 2 weeks. Azolla absorbed Se to the highest tissue concentration (about 1000 g Se g^–1 dry matter) from the 2.5 g Se mL^–1 solution, followed by Salvinia (700 g Se g^–1), Lemna (500 g Se g^–1),and Eichhornia (300 g Se g^–1). Plant growth appeared unaffected by solution Se concentrations lower than about 1.25 g mL^–1. These results indicate potential for rapid Se movement from water into aquatic food chains, and for use of aquatic plants for Se removal in wastewater treatment systems.     

Surface ozone concentrations and exposures during growing season at the Lithuanian rural site

The surface ozone (O₃) data show an increase by 2.6 % per year during the period 1982–1994 at the rural site of Lithuania. WHO (World Health Organization), UN-ECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe), CES (Commission of the European Communities) guideline values for the protection of vegetation from adverse effects are exceeded during the growing season at the Preila coastal station. Ozone exposures for different concentration threshold are estimated during daylight hours in April-September. These values above 60 g/m³ varied between 10 000 and 43 000 (g/m³) ·h, above 80 g/m³ — between 1700 and 15 000 (g/m³) ·h, above 100 g/m³ — between 130 and 3700 (g/m³) ·h during separate years. Maximum hourly ozone values were observed from 116 to 228 g/m³ during this period.     

Relation between sulphur concentrations in the Scots pine needles and the air in northernmost Europe

The SO₂ emissions from the Kola Peninsula in Arctic Russia (totalling around 600 Gg(SO₂) yr^–1 at the beginning of the 1990s) produce an atmospheric SO₂ concentration gradient to the northernmost Europe. This gradient covers the range from >50 g m^–3 in the vicinity of the sources to 1 g m^–3 in Finnish Lapland. In the present study, the measured sulphur concentrations in Scots pine needles were compared with the estimated distribution of atmospheric SO₂. The total sulphur concentrations in the needles ranged from 741 to 2017 mg kg^–1. Strongly elevated concentrations (> 1200 mg kg^–1) were found within 40 km from the smelters corresponding to an area where the annual mean atmospheric SO₂ concentration exceeded 10 g m^–3. The foliar sulphur concentrations (total, organic and inorganic) show a high correlation with the estimated mean SO₂ concentration distribution in the air. Consequently the foliar sulphur concentrations reflected the atmospheric sulphur load well. The data presented here show that uptake via stomata is an important deposition pathway also in the arctic conditions with a short growing season.     

Gymnanthemum coloratum (Willd.) H. Rob. et B. Kahn (Compositae-Vernonieae): the correct name for a cultivated bitterleaf of Africa

Gymnanthemum coloratum (Willd.) H. Rob. et B. Kahn is shown to be the correct name for the species to which the name G. chapelieri (Drake) H Rob. was erroneously applied in the new Mansfeld     

Acidic deposition,ecosystem processes,and nitrogen saturation in a high elevation Southern Appalachian watershed

High-elevation red spruce-Fraser fir forests in the Southern Appalachian mountains: 1) receive among the highest rates of atmospheric deposition measured in North America, 2) contain old-growth forests, 3) have shown declines in forest health, 4) have sustained high insect-caused fir mortality, and 5) contain poorly buffered soils and stream systems. High rates of nitrogen and sulphur deposition (1900 and 2200 Eq·ha^–1·yr^–1, respectively) are dominated by dry and cloud deposition processes. Large leaching fluxes of nitrate-nitrogen (100–1400 Eq·ha^–1·yr^–1) occur within the soil profile. We have expanded the study to the watershed scale with monitoring of: precipitation, throughfall, stream hydrology, and stream chemistry. Two streamlets drain the 17.4 ha Noland Divide Watershed (1676–1920m) located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A network of 50 20x20 m plots is being used to assess stand structure, biomass, and soil nutrient pools. Nitrate is the predominant anion in the streamlets (weighted concentrations: 47 and 54 eq·L^–1 NO₃ ^–; 31 and 43 eq·L^–1 SO₄ ^2–). Watershed nitrate export is extremely high (1000 Eq·ha^–1 yr^–1), facilitating significant base cation exports. Stream acid neutralizing capacity values are extremely low (–10 to 20 eq·L^–1) and episodic acidifications (pH declines of a full unit in days or weeks time) occur. Annual streamwater sulfate export is on the order of 770 Eq·ha^–1yr^–1 or about one-third of total annual inputs, indicating there is net watershed sulfate retention. The system is highly nitrogen saturated (Stage 2, Stoddard, 1994) and this condition promotes both chronic and episodic stream acidification.     

The relationship between salmonid fish densities and critical ANC at exceeded and non-exceeded stream sites in Scotland

The critical load concept is now accepted throughout Europe as a means of estimating the sensitivity of key components of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to atmospheric inputs of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N). Current UK freshwater maps, based on steady-state water chemistry, are derived using a critical acid neutralising capacity (ANC_LIM) value of zero eql^–1, which is based on the probability of occurrence of salmonid fish in lakes. In practice most acidification damage to salmonid fish occurs in nursery streams at the emergence and first feeding stages. In general a clear relationship exists between salmon (Salmo salar L.) and trout (S. trutta L.) densities in Scottish streams and ANC values. However, differences between sites depend on which ANC value is used (eg maximum, minimum or mean). By contrast, when the exceedance of critical loads is compared with salmonid densities the relationship is less clear because many exceeded sites have good salmonid densities. Many of these latter sites are found in north-west Scotland where sea-salt inputs are high and ANC is usually greater than zero eql^–1, although diatom-based studies indicated slight acidification of these waters, with a point of change in diatom flora close to ANC=20 eql^–1. These false exceedances are probably due to preferential adsorption of acidic SO₄ deposition which results in an overestimate of exceedance values. All sites with a mean ANC 0 are fishless but some sites with negative minimum ANC values had normal salmonid densities. Consequently a mean ANC_LIM value of zero in the critical load equations for UK freshwaters appears to be too low to protect salmonid stocks. Values between 20–50 eql^–1 represent a more realistic range if prevention of long term damage to salmonid stocks is to be achieved.     

Effects of the herbicide Topogard on soil respiration, nitrification, and denitrification in potato-cultivated soils differing in pH

We investigated the effects of Topogard 50 WP (3 kg ha^–1) on soil respiration, mineral N content, and number of denitrifying and total bacteria in four coarse-textured volcanic soils for 91 days. Topogard application decreased CO₂ evolution in acid soils (Tepedibi and Karaçakl) whereas soil respiration was initially increased in neutral and alkaline soils (Kaba and Balar). The herbicide application significantly stimulated ammonification in Kaba and Balar soils, while Tepedibi and Karaçakl soils showed significantly lower NH₄⁺-N contents than the control. The treatment inhibited the activity of nitrifying microorganisms and, thus it decreased the NO₃^–-N content in Tepedibi, Karaçakl, and Kaba soils, whereas the NO₃^–-N content was increased in Balar soil. The NO₂^–-N content of soils was not affected by the treatment. The activity of denitrifying bacteria was stimulated by the addition of herbicide in all soils, whereas the total number of bacteria was not influenced. It may be concluded that the effects of Topogard on the microbiological characteristics of coarse-textured soils are likely to be dependent on soil pH.     

Estimation of maximum permissible levels of cadmium in a light soil by using cereal plants

A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to establish the threshold level of Cd in a light soil planted with cereals. During three consecutive years barley, wheat, rye, and corn were grown in the soil treated with 2.5; 5; 25 g g^–1 of Cd applied in sulphate form. The Cd concentration of 5 g g^–1 (plus native Cd content of the soil) was considered as the maximum permissible Cd level in a soil for the soil-plant systems studied. Besides the estimation of total Cd concentrations, several forms of Cd in soils (exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn oxides, organic, and residual) were determined by mean of sequential extraction to define the phytoavailable form of Cd in the soil. The Cd concentration in studied plants increased with the doses of this metal in soil but to different extents for various plant species and various plant parts. The highest Cd enrichment ratios (ER) were found for wheat and corn leaves (2 to 3), whereas, the lowest ERs were detected for corn and rye grains (0.05 to 0.2) grown at the treated soils. All samples of the control plants had ER below 1. A close relationship was found between Cd content of plants and the exchangeable form of Cd in soil, which indicates that this form of the element is readily available for plants. The proposed maximum permissible level of Cd (5 g g^–1 of added metal plus native Cd content of soils) in light soils proved to be too high for cereal plants. The threshold concentration for light soil should not exceed 3 g g^–1.     

Precipitation chemistry at sinhagad-a hill station in India

The chemistry of precipitation in remote sites such as mountain tops is of interest in the study of atmospheric pollution and acid rain. The chemical composition measured at mountain site which is away from industrial and urban areas is useful as a reference level and it allows to determine the extent of anthropogenic contamination. Hence, rain water samples were collected at Sinhagad (18°21N, 73°45E, 1450 m asl during the monsoon season (June-September) of 1992 and were analysed for major ions. The precipitation samples collected at Sinhagad were alkaline in nature and pH values ranged between 5.9 to 6.76. The ionic composition was dominated by soil dust The concentration of Ca²⁺ was highest among all the ions. The concentrations of excess SO₃ ^2– and NO₄ ^– were small (23.8 and 15.2 eq l^–1 respectively) compared to the values of polluted regions in India. The correlation coefficient between the ions and pH values was calculated and it was found to be maximum in case of Ca²⁺. Precipitation samples collected at Sinhagad were alkaline owing to higher concentration of Ca²⁺ and lower levels of acidic pollutants (SO₄ ^2– and NO₃ ^–).     

Influence of the water regime on denitrification and aerobic respiration in soil

Summary The influence of soil moisture on denitrification and aerobic respiration was studied in a mull rendzina soil. N₂O formation did not occur below –30 kPa matric water potential (_m), above 0.28 air-filled porosity (a) and below 0.55 fractional water saturation (_v/PV volumetric water content/total pore volume). Half maximum rates of N₂O production and O₂ consumption were obtained between _m = –1.2 and –12 kPa,a = 0.05 and 0.23, and _v/PV = 0.63 and 0.92. No oxygen consumption was measured at _v/PC 1.17. O₂ uptake and denitrification occurred simultaneously arounda = 0.10 (at _m = –10 kPa and _v/PV = 0.81) at mean rates of 3.5 µl O₂ and 0.3 µl N₂ h^–1g^–1 soil. Undisturbed, field-moist soil saturated with nitrate solution showed constant consumption and production rates, respectively, of 0.6 µl O and 0.22 µl N₂O h^–1g^–1 soil, whereas the rates of air-dried remoistened soil were at least 10 times these values. The highest rates obtained in remoistened soil amended with glucose and nitrate were 130 µl O₂ and 27 µl N₂O h^–1g^–1 soil.     

Characterization of a phosphodiesterase component in a forest soil extract

Summary A bis-(p-nitrophenyl) phosphatase (BPN-Pase) was extracted from a forest soil and fractionated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography into seven fractions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The main fraction (fraction 5) was further fractionated into 3 subfraction (fractions 1, 2 and 3) by affinity chromatography for nuclease. The properties of the BPNPase in subfraction 3 were characterized and the results are reported in this article. Subfraction 3, which had a peak at about 278 run in the UV absorption spectrum, hydrolyzed 2,3-cyclic-nucleotides more readily than 3,5-cyclicnucleotides, adenylyl-(3 5)uridine, uridylyl-(3 5)adenosine, thymidine 3-p-nitrophenyl phosphate, thymidine 5-p-nitrophenyl phosphate, p-nitrophenyl phosphate and BPNP. Subfraction 3 hydrolyzed BPNP into 2 mol p-nitrophenyl and 1 mol inorganic phosphate during incubation. Apparent molecular weight of the BPNPase was estimated to be about 58 000 by gel filtration. The BPNPase activity had a pH optimum at 5.0 and was inhibited by Hg²⁺ and slightly inhibited by F^– and PO ₄ ^3– .These observations suggest that the BPNPase is subfraction 3 has been constituted mainly with 2,3cyclic-nucleotide 2-phosphodiesterase [EC 3.1.4.16] or 2,3-cyclic-nucleotide 3-phosphodiesterase [EC 3.1.4.37].     

Ionic composition of rainwater and atmospheric aerosols in Sardinia,southern Mediterranean

The ionic composition of 55 aerosol samples and 31 precipitation events collected in a coastal site in southern Sardinia (Capo Carbonara, 39°06 N; 09°31 E) were compared. The samples were collected during one year period (Oct'90/Oct'91) and showed high variability in composition according to meteorological conditions. Rain and soluble part of aerosol showed a strikingly similar ionic composition: most significant anions were chlorine and sulphate, and sodium is the principal cations, followed by magnesium and calcium. The acid events are associated with N-NW trajectories (anthropogenic influxes from N. Europe) with avg. pH=4.65, non sea salt (nss) Ca=60 eq/l and NO₃/_nssSO₄=0.6. Southern precipitations are influenced by Saharan dust alkaline effects, with avg. pH=6.75,_nssCa=271 eq/l and NO₃/_nssSO₄=0.4. Na/Cl ratio in rain is similar to sea water (0.87), whilst in aerosols there is a Cl loss (Na/Cl=1.10), probably due to reaction with nitric acid. Total fluxes of Ca, Mg, NO₃ and SO₄ were 104, 9, 64 and 113 g/cm², and wet deposition exceeded (65–90%) dry deposition. Scavenging ratios (SR) as defined by the equation:SR=[(Ci)rain/(Ci)air] ^*d, (d=1200g/m³) were calculated, using geometric means (Ci) of precipitation and aerosols collected concurrently during the period (a total of 23 samples). The SR values are Ca=3400, Cl=2400, Na, K, SO₄=1700, Mg=1000 and NO₃=750. These numbers could be useful to infer total fluxes by using simply rainwater ionic composition in Mediterranean semi-arid sites like Sardinia.     

Promising apricot genetic resources from the Lake Van Region

This study was conducted in order to select valuable genetic resources(Prunus armeniaca L.) of apricot in Geva situatedon Lake Van Region (East Anatolia) of Turkey during 1998 and 1999. Allpopulation consisted of native apricot genotypes were examined with respect tofruit and tree characteristics for two years, and twenty-eight genotypes wereselected for future breeding efforts. Their flowering habit and desirable fruitcharacteristics were determined in comparison withHachalilolu. All selected apricots grown at 1700m in the region were not affected by late spring frosts. In themajority of genotypes, bud break, first flowering, full flowering and end offlowering occurred a few days earlier than the cultivarHachalilolu in both years, whereas, harvest waslater than that. Some selections produced larger fruits thanHachalilolu. All genotypes showed a range of25–48 g for fruit weight, 11–21% for soluble solids and0.19–2.90% for acidity. Soluble solids content was more than 20% in threeselections (G12, G29 and G33), and the acidity was lower than 1% in fivegenotypes (G2, G12, G27, G29 and G33). Selections with attractive fruit colorshad small to medium-sized fruits. Many genotypes were evaluated as promising forfurther breeding efforts.     

Über die Wirkung kleiner Strahlendosen auf den Ertrag landwirtschaftlicher Kulturpflanzen

Zusammenfassung Die Einwirkung niederer Strahlendosen zwischen 5 und 50µc/kg Samen wurde bei 8 Pflanzenarten und -sorten unter verschiedenen Bedingungen untersucht. Die³²P-Aufnahme erfolgte durch 24- bzw. 48stündiges Einquellen der Samen in neutralisierter KH₂ ³²PO₄- bzw. NaH₂ ³²PO₄-Lösung. In keinem der über drei Jahre durchgeführten 10 Versuche war ein gesicherter Mehrertrag infolge Strahlenwirkung nachweisbar.

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Summary The influence of small radiation doses between 5 and 50µc/kg seeds was examined with 8 plant species and varieties under different conditions. The uptake of³²P ensued by soaking the seeds 24 or 48 hours in neutralized KH₂ ³²PO₄ and NaH₂ ³²PO₄ solution respectively. None of the 10 experiments accomplished in 3 years points out a verifiable yield increase by influence of radiation.

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, 5 50 , 8 . ³² KH₂ ³²PO₄ NaH₂ ³²PO₄ 24 48 . 10 , , , .

     

Response of A-genome cotton germplasm to the seedling disease pathogens,Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum

Summary Approximately two hundred A-genome cotton (Gossypium arboreum L. and G. herbaceum L.) accessions were evaluated for resistance to the seedling disease pathogens Rhizoctonia solani Kühn [Thanatephorus cucumeris (A. B. Frank) Donk], and Pythium ultimum Trow. Susceptibility rating was based on a scale of 1 to 6 where 1 = no symptoms and 6 = dead. Variation was found among A-genome accessions in response to R. solani and P. ultimum, but none were highly resistant to these pathogens. As a group, the A-genome cottons were more susceptible to the pathogens than the G. hirsutum control.Abbreviations STV-A G. hirsutum Stoneville 506 with agar only - STV-NP G. hirsutum Stoneville 506 with non-pathogenic isolate - STV-P G. hirsutum Stoneville 506 with pathogenic isolate - A₁ G. herbaceum - A₂ G. arboreum - GRIN Genetic Resources Information Network     

A yield-independent, 15N-isotope dilution method to estimate legume symbiotic dependence without a non-N2-fixing reference plant

The proportional contribution of atmospheric N₂ to the N nutrition of lupin (P _atm) was estimated in a field experiment following addition of NH₄Cl of KNO₃ to unconfined microplots (1.5 m²) at 2.5 g N m^-2 (10 atom% ¹⁵N). The integrated ¹⁵N enrichment, or mean pool abundance, of nitrate extracted from 0- to 15-cm samples taken under the lupin crop on eight occasion between 28 and 190 days after sowing was used as the reference criterion to estimate P _atm by the ¹⁵N-isotope dilution technique. Estimates of P _atm were similar to those obtained using canola as a non-fixing reference plant, but were higher than estimates obtained using a yield-dependent model. Use of mean pool abundance obviates the need for a non-fixing reference plant, and the frequent sampling and isotope-ratio analysis of the legume biomass required with the yield-dependent model is unnecessary. However, further work is needed to validate a sampling strategy commensurate with the growth of the legume roots.     

Modellvorstellungen zur Kohlenstoff-Isotopendiskriminierung bei der Photosynthese von C3- und C4-Pflanzen

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Modelle für die Anreicherung des Kohlenstoffatoms¹²C gegenüber¹³C bei der Photosynthese von C₃- und C₄-Pflanzen beschrieben und im Zusammenhang mit Literaturdaten zum Einfluß innerer und äußerer Faktoren auf diesen Vorgang diskutiert. Bei den C₃-Pflanzen wird die Isotopendiskriminierung durch das Verhältnis der Geschwindigkeiten des Transports von CO₂ in das Blatt und der Carboxylierung des Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphats (RuBP) bestimmt. Ausdruck dieses Zusammenhangs ist eine vonFarquhar (1980) angegebene lineare Beziehung zwischen ¹³C-Wert und dem Verhältnis von interzellulärer und äußerer CO₂-Konzentration. Die Isotopendiskriminierung bei der C₄-Photosynthese ist ebenfalls von den Geschwindigkeiten der Diffusion von CO₂ in das Blatt und der primären Carboxylierung von Phosphoenolpyruvat (PEP) abhängig. Wegen der unvermeidlichen Verluste von CO₂ aus den Leitbündelscheidenzellen sind aber auch die sekundäre Carboxylierung von RuBP und der CO₂-Transport innerhalb des Blattes zu berücksichtigen. Ein auf dieser Grundlage entwickeltes Modell, das im Gegensatz zu einem früher beschriebenen Ansatz auch die CO₂-Abhängigkeit der Geschwindigkeitsparameter für die Carboxylierungsschritte einschließlich der Limitierung der PEP-Carboxylierung durch die PEP-Regenerationsrate berücksichtigt, wird ausführlich dargestellt. Nach diesem Modell können die wenigen bisher bekannten Befunde zum Einfluß hoher CO₂-Konzentrationen auf die Isotopendiskriminierung von C₄-Pflanzen als Hinweis darauf interpretiert werden, daß der Isotopeneffekt der RuBP-Carboxylierung bei den C₄-Pflanzen möglicherweise größer ist als bei den C₃-Pflanzen.

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Models of carbon isotope discrimination during photosynthesis of C₃ and C₄ plants

Summary Models of fractionation of carbon atoms¹²C and¹³C during photosynthesis of C₃ and C₄ plants are described and discussed with regard to the influence of internal and external factors on this process. Isotope discrimination in C₃ plants is determined by the ratio of the rates of CO₂ transfer into the leaf and carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). This relationship can be expressed by a linear equation between ¹³C value and the ratio of intercellular and external CO₂ concentration as proposed byFarquhar (1980). Carbon isotope discrimination by C₄ photosynthesis also depends on the rates of CO₂ diffusion into the leaf and of primary carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). However, because of the unavoidable losses of CO₂ from bundle sheath cells the secondary carboxylation of RuBP as well as CO₂ transfer processes within the leaf must be taken into account, too. A model based on these features is explained in some detail. In contrast to a model proposed earlier the presented model considers the dependence on CO₂ concentration of rate parameters for the carboxylation steps including limitation of PEP carboxylation by PEP regeneration rate. According to the model the spare experimental results on the influence of high concentrations of CO₂ on carbon isotope discrimination in C₄ plants may be interpreted as an indication that the isotope effect of RuBP carboxylation in C₄ plants could be higher than in C₃ plants.

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₃ - ₄ -

^{12 13} _{3 4} , , . ₃- ₂ -1,5- (). , (1980), ¹³ ₂. _{4 2} (). ₂ , ₂ . , , , , ₂, . , , , _{2 4}-, , ₄ -, , , ₃-.

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Herrn Prof. Dr.K. Unger anläßlich der 65. Wiederkehr seines Geburtstages gewidmet.