Effects of Nitrogen Levels and Nitrate/Ammonium Ratios on Oxalate Concentrations of Different Forms in Edible Parts of Spinach

Two hydroponic experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) levels and forms on the oxalate concentrations of different form in edible parts of spinach. Nitrogen was supplied at five levels (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 mM) in Experiment 1 and five ratios of nitrate (NO₃ ^?) to ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 0/100) at a total N of 8 mM in Experiment 2. Biomass of spinach increased markedly from 4 mM to 8 mM N and reached the flat with further increase in N. The total oxalate and soluble oxalate in leaves and shoots (edible parts) increased significantly with increasing N levels from 4 to 12 mM, while the total oxalate and insoluble oxalate decreased markedly when N level was further increased from 12 to 20 mM. Oxalates of different forms in petioles increased first and then decreased and elevated again with increasing nitrogen levels. In the second experiment, decreasing NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratios markedly increased at first and then significantly decreased the biomass of spinach plants and the maximum biomass was recorded in the treatment of the NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratio of 50:50. The oxalate concentrations of different form in leaves and shoots were all decreased obviously as the ratio of NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ decreased from 100:0 to 0:100. Concentrations of total oxalate and soluble oxalate in petioles could be reduced by increasing ammonium proportion and were the lowest as the ratio of NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ was 50:50 and insoluble oxalate decreased as nitrate/ammonium ratio decreased. The concentrations of oxalate forms in leaves were all higher than those in petioles and soluble oxalate was predominant form of oxalates in both trials. It is evident that high biomass of spinach can be achieved and oxalate concentrations of different forms can be reduced by modulating N levels and NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratio, so this will benefit for human health especially for those people with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones.     

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.     

SALINITY AND AMMONIUM/NITRATE INTERACTIONS ON TOMATO PLANT DEVELOPMENT,NUTRITION, AND METABOLITES

The interactions between NaCl and different NO₃ ^?NH₄ ⁺ ratios were investigated. Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in a greenhouse, in 120L capacity containers filled with continuously aerated Hoagland nutrient solution. Treatments were added to observe the combined effect of two NaCl levels (30 and 60 mM) and three millimolar ratios of nitrate: ammonium (14:0, 12:2, 10:4) on growth, nutrition, and contents of chlorophyll and sugars. Saline treatments decreased growth, which was partly restored by NH₄ ⁺ treatment. The leaf mineral composition showed a marked effect of nitrogen (N) source, while salinity only affected NO₃ ^? concentration. Changing the NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺ ratio from 14:0 to 12:2 and 10:4 produced progressive increases in the concentrations of iron (Fe), chlorophyll, and reducing sugars in leaves. Therefore, the deleterious effect of salinity on biomass production can be minimized by the use of nutrient solutions containing higher NH₄ ⁺ concentrations, since this seemed to be correlated with increases in nitrogen assimilation and the levels of Fe and chlorophyll.     

Effect of Ammonium:Nitrate Ratios in the Response of Strawberry to Alkalinity in Hydroponics

Strawberry (Fragaria ananasa) plants were grown in hydroponics in a greenhouse, where the supply of different ammonium (NH₄⁺): nitrate (NO₃^?) ratios, was investigated to reduce the negative effect of alkalinity in nutrient solutions. The experiment was arranged in factorial combination with two factors, NH₄⁺:NO₃^? ratios (0%:100%, 25%:75%, 50%:50%, 75%:25%, and 100%:0%) and bicarbonate (0, 25, 50, and 75 mM; NaHCO₃). Plants treated with increasing bicarbonate concentrations exhibited significantly inhibited growth. In plants treated with NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? simultaneously, there was a counteraction of the bicarbonate-induced growth suppression. Sole NO₃^? application in the presence of high bicarbonate resulted in poor growth and plant death due to high alkalinity. The adverse effect of alkalinity on SPAD values and maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m) alleviated with increasing proportion of NH₄⁺ in nutrient solutions. The results showed that fruit numbers and yield of strawberry increased with elevation of NH₄⁺ in nutrient solutions.     

Effects of different nitrogen forms on potato growth and development

The objective of this study was to test if the effects of different nitrogen forms on potato growth depend on the plant growth stage. Plants from different potato cultivars were treated with different forms of nitrogen before tuber initiation and after tuber formation. A nitrification inhibitor was used to prevent the transformation of ammonium (NH₄⁺) to nitrate (NO₃^?). Plant growth, tuber formation, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, and tuber yield were assessed. The results obtained over 2 years indicate that plants treated with NO₃-nitrogen (N) before or at tuber initiation produced more tubers per plant than those treated with NH₄-N. However, plants treated with NH₄-N develop tubers earlier. Additionally, after tuber formation, plants treated with NH₄-N had better shoot growth than plants treated with NO₃-N. A larger leaf area with higher leaf chlorophyll content resulted in greater dry matter accumulation and higher tuber yield at harvest for plants treated with NH₄-N.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Role of Ammonium to Limit Nitrate Accumulation and to Increase Water Economy in Wild Swiss Chard

ABSTRACT

The present study was performed to characterize the interaction between nitrogen (N) form and availability with respect to growth, water relations, and mineral nutrition of wild swiss chard (Beta macrocarpa Guss). Plants were cultured hydroponically with two levels of N concentrations, high-N (2.5 mM) or low-N (0.5 mM), added as nitrate (NO^? ₃) or ammonium (NH⁺ ₄). At high N, growth was affected significantly by N form. If the NO^? ₃ medium was considered as control, the use of NH⁺ ₄ decreased dry matter production and leaf area by ca. 35%. Use of NH⁺ ₄ led to water economy and did not affect the nutrient content of the plant tissues. Compared to growth with high N, plants growth fell in either low- NO^? ₃ or low- NH⁺ ₄ medium. In this case, the difference between the two N sources was not significant. Our results showed that the replacement of NO^? ₃ by NH⁺ ₄ as the N source decreased the NO^? ₃ concentration in consumable leaves and increased the water use efficiency.     

Influence of Pre-Plant Micronutrient Mixes and Ammonium to Nitrate Ratios in Fertilizer Solution on Growth and Micronutrient Contents of Marigold in Plug Culture

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this work was to determine the effects of pre-plant micronutrient mixes and various ammonium/nitrate (NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^?) ratios in a fertilizer solution on growth and the nutrient uptake of French marigold ‘Orange Boy’ in a plug culture. Two kinds of granular glass frits containing six micronutrients were produced and incorporated into peatmoss+vermiculite (1:1, v/v) substrate at a rate of 0.3 g · L^{? 1}. The five NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^? ratios in fertilizer solution were 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0, each giving a total nitrogen (N) supply of 80, 100, and 120 mg · L^{? 1}in the root substrate during stages 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The plants produced a significantly higher fresh and dry matter yield at 35 days after sowing when grown in 25/75 N nutrition in micronutrient fertilizer 1 (MF1) and 50/50 in micronutrient fertilizer 2 (MF2) than in the other NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^? ratios tested. Treatments of the highest accumulation of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B) in plants were 25/75, 50/50, 50/50, 25/75 and 50/50 in MF1 and 50/50, 25/75, 50/50, 50/50, 50/50 in MF2, respectively. The trends in accumulations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B in plants were quadratic (Q), linear (L) and Q, L and Q, L and Q, and Q, respectively, in MF1. Those in MF2 were Q, Q, Q, L and Q, and Q, respectively.     

Nitrogen Source and Concentration Affect Growth and Performance of Bedding-Plant Impatiens

ABSTRACT

Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook. f.) is the most important annual bedding plant in the United States, based on wholesale dollar volume. Production of high-quality plants requires optimization of the nutrition regimen during growth, especially the total nitrogen (N) concentration and the ratio of N sources. The objective was to determine the N concentration and the nitrate (NO₃ ^??N):ammonium (NH₄ ⁺?N) ratio of N source that optimized bedding-plant impatiens growth and flower development. Four N concentrations (3.5, 7, 10.5, and 14 mmol N · L^?1) were used in factorial combination with four ratios of NO₃ ^??N:NH₄ ⁺?N (4:0, 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3). Application of treatments was made for 30 d. Then for 10 d only deionized water was applied to reduce salt buildup. Substrate pH was lowest (4.9) with the NH₄ ⁺?N source and electrical conductivity (EC) highest, but never > 2.4 dS m^?1. Nitrogen concentration and N source displayed an interaction for most growth parameters. Shoot fresh and dry weights and flower bud number were maximized at the 1:3 NO₃ ^??N:NH₄ ⁺?N ratio with a N concentration of 10.5 mmol L^?1. However, plant diameter, leaf number, and leaf chlorophyll content responded quadratically to N form ratio, with the 1:1 ratio optimum at a concentration of 10.5 mmol N· L^?1.     

Fruit Yield of Tomato Cultivated on Media with Bicarbonate and Nitrate/Ammonium as the Nitrogen Source

ABSTRACT

This article presents the effects of nitrate/ammonium (NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺), applied at different proportions to the root media with or without 5 mmol bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^?), on the yield and chemical composition of tomato fruit. Tomato plants were grown hydroponically (pH 6.9) in glasshouse conditions. The yield of fruit fresh matter from four clusters obtained from plants grown on the medium with NH₄ ⁺ was about 25% lower than from the plants grown on the medium containing NO₃ ^? as the nitrogen (N) source. Supplying NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ at a ratio of 4:1 increased the fruit yield by about 20% in comparison with the value recorded for NO₃ ^??plants. The enrichment of the medium with HCO₃ ^? stimulated the bearing, while the result depended on the ratio of NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺. A combined treatment of HCO₃ ^? with NO₃ ^? or NH₄ ⁺ in the medium increased yields by about 28% and 11%, respectively, in comparison to plants cultivated without HCO₃ ^?. The application of NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ at ratios of 4:1 and 1:1 with HCO₃ ^? increased the respective yields by about 16% and 10% in comparison with plants grown without HCO₃ ^?. Modifications in the composition of the media affected the accumulation of organic solutions in the fruit. The NH₄ ⁺ nutrition effected a 20% decrease in the accumulation of reducing sugars in the fruit in comparison to the fruit of plants grown in media with NO₃ ^?. In the cultivation of plants in media with various NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ proportions the intermediate values of the reduced sugar concentrations were recorded in comparison with the values obtained for NO₃ ^??plants and NH₄ ⁺?plants. The enrichment of media with HCO₃ ^? increased the concentration of sugars in fruit from about 28% (for NO₃ ^??plants) to about 10% (for NH₄ ⁺?plants).

Malate and citrate are the main constituents of carboxylates in tomato fruit. The form of nitrogen applied to the medium did not significantly affect the concentration of carboxylates in fruit. Significant differences in carboxylate concentrations appeared in fruit grown on media enriched with HCO₃ ^? ions. In comparison with the cultivation without HCO₃ ^?, increases in the accumulation of carboxylates varied from about 22% to 30% depending on the form of the applied nitrogen. The concentration of amino acids in the fruit of plants grown with NH₄ ⁺ exceeded that in NO₃ ^??plants by about 55%. In the plants grown on media of modified NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ proportions, the concentration of amino acids in fruits were positively correlated with the level of NH₄ ⁺ in the medium. The enrichment of media with HCO₃ ^? stimulated a further increase in amino acid concentration in fruit by about 9% in NO₃ ^? plants and about 21% in NH₄ ⁺ plants compared with the respective control (without HCO₃ ^?).     

Effects of Nitrogen Source on Growth and Development of Strawberry Plants

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrate (NO₃ ^?) and ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) ratios in nutrient solutions on the growth and production of fruits, runners, and daughter plants of strawberry Fragaria x ananassa Duch., grown in a hydroponic system. Five treatments were applied, consisting of different proportions of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^? in the nutrient solution. The NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^? ratios were: T0 = 0:4, T1 = 1:3, T2 = 2:2, T3 = 3:1, and T4 = 4:0, at a constant nitrogen (N) concentration of 4 mol m^?3. Growth and morphogenesis were characterized by monitoring leaf-area increase, number of flowers and fruits per plant, and number of daughter plants of first and second generations. Nitrogen and carbon (C) content were measured at the end of the experiment in the organs of both mother and daughter plants. None of the variables related to the growth of the mother plant was affected by the treatments. However, the number of fruits increased with the proportion of NH₄ ⁺ in the nutrient solution. The number of daughter plants produced was affected only at high NH₄ ⁺ proportions, and their size (dry matter per daughter plant) and fertility (number of second-generation plants per first-generation plants) were reduced. The N or C content of the plants was not significantly affected by the treatments, but the C/N ratio in the crowns of mother plants was higher in treatments with 25% and 50% NH₄ ⁺ in the nutrient solution.     

DOUGLAS-FIR SEEDLING RESPONSE TO A RANGE OF AMMONIUM: NITRATE RATIOS IN AEROPONIC CULTURE

The objective of the experiment was to identify the most favorable nitrogen (N) source ratio of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and nitrate (NO₃ ^?) for aeroponically-grown Douglas-fir when pH was maintained at pH 4.0. Seedlings were grown in controlled environments with solutions containing 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20 or 100:0 NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^? ratios. Nutrient additions in the aeroponic culture units were controlled by solution conductivity set points. Seedling growth and nutrient allocation was observed for 45 days. Different NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^? ratios resulted in significant differences in the rate of N addition, growth, morphology, and nutrient allocation. Seedlings grown in solutions containing 60 or 80% NO₃ ^? were characterized by a combination of high growth and photosynthetic rates, high and stable internal plant N concentrations, and sufficient levels of other essential nutrients. High proportions of NH₄ ⁺ in solution resulted in low rates of N addition, stunted lateral root growth, and may have been toxic.     

Dry matter and nitrogen accumulation are not affected by superopt1mal concentration of ammonium in flowing solution culture with pH control

Abstract

While it is known that superoptimal concentrations of the nitrate (NO₃ ^?) ion in solution culture do not increase NO₃ ^? uptake or dry matter accumulation, the same is not known for the ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) ion. An experiment was conducted utilizing flowing solution culture with pH control to investigate the influence of superoptimal NH₄ ⁺ concentrations on dry matter, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) accumulation by nonnodulated soybean plants. Increasing the NH₄ ⁺ concentration in solution from 1 to 10 mM did not affect dry matter or N accumulation. Accumulations of K, Ca, and Mg were slightly decreased with the increased NH₄ ⁺ concentration. The NH₄ ⁺ uptake system, which is saturated at less than 1 mM NH₄ ⁺, is able to regulate uptake of NH₄ ⁺ at concentrations as high as 10 mM.     

Comparative Effect of Nitrogen Forms on Nitrogen Uptake and Cotton Growth Under Salinity Stress

The effects of nitrogen (N) forms (ammonium- or nitrate-N) on plant growth under salinity stress [150 mmol sodium chloride (NaCl)] were studied in hydroponically cultured cotton. Net fluxes of sodium (Na⁺), ammonium (NH₄⁺), and nitrate (NO₃^?) were also determined using the Non-Invasive Micro-Test Technology. Plant growth was impaired under salinity stress, but nitrate-fed plants were less sensitive to salinity than ammonium-fed plants due mainly to superior root growth by the nitrate-fed plants. The root length, root surface area, root volume, and root viability of seedlings treated with NO₃-N were greater than those treated with NH₄-N with or without salinity stress. Under salinity stress, the Na⁺ content of seedlings treated with NO₃-N was lower than that in seedlings treated with NH₄-N owing to higher root Na⁺ efflux. A lower net NO₃^? efflux was observed in roots of nitrate-fed plants relative to the net NH₄⁺ efflux from roots of ammonium-fed plants. This resulted in much more nitrogen accumulation in different tissues, especially in leaves, thereby enhancing photosynthesis in nitrate-fed plants under salinity stress. Nitrate-N is superior to ammonium-N based on nitrogen uptake and cotton growth under salinity stress.     

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。     

Root Carbon Enrichment Alleviates Ammonium Toxicity in Cucumber Plants

ABSTRACT

The addition of carbonates to a nutrient solution to alleviate ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) toxicity in hydroponically-grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants was investigated. Stable isotopes [nitrogen (¹⁵N) and carbon (¹³C)] were used to assess the uptake of nitrogen [NH₄ ⁺ or nitrate (NO₃ ^?)] as well as carbon [bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^?)/carbonate (CO₃ ^2?)] by the roots. Ammonium as the sole N source at 5 mM decreased plant fresh weights compared to NO₃ ^?. However, at lower concentrations of NH₄ ⁺ (25% of 5 mM total N), growth was increased compared to NO₃ ^? alone. Inorganic C enrichment [calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)] of the nutrient solution increased the fresh weight of NH₄ ⁺ grown plants with up to 150% relative to control plants receiving calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂] for pH regulation. Root ¹⁵N enrichment was lower in ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ supplied plants compared to ¹⁵NO₃ ^?, while the ¹³C enrichment in leaves was increased by NH₄ ⁺ nutrition compared to NO₃ ^? or NH₄NO_3. The enhanced C capture was associated with high PEPCase activity in the roots. It is concluded that inorganic carbon enrichment of the root medium may alleviate NH₄ ⁺ toxicity via increased synthesis of C skeletons and, accordingly, increased capacity for NH₄ ⁺ assimilation and N export to the shoots.     

Interactive Effects of Nitrogen Source and Salinity on Growth Indices and Ion Content of Indian Mustard

ABSTRACT

The interactions between salinity and different nitrogen (N) sources nitrate (NO₃ ^?), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), and NO₃ ^? + NH₄ ⁺ were investigated on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea cv. RH30). Treatments were added to observe the combined effect of two salinity levels (8 and 12 ds m^{? 1}) and three nitrogen sources (NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, and NO₃ ^? + NH₄ ⁺) on different growth parameters and mineral composition in different plant parts, i.e., leaves, stem, and root. Salinity has been known to affect the uptake and assimilation of various essential nutrients required for normal growth and development. Different growth parameters, i.e., leaf area, dry weight of different plant parts, absolute growth rate (AGR), relative growth rate (RGR), and net assimilation rate (NAR) declined markedly by salinity at pre-flowering and flowering stages. All growth indices were less sensitive to salinity (12 d s m^{? 1}) with the nitrate form of nitrogen. It is pertinent mention that a high dose (120 kg ha^{? 1}) of nitrogen in ammonium form NH₄ ⁺, acted synergistically with salinity in inhibiting growth. Plants fed with combined nitrogen (NO₃ ^? + NH₄ ⁺) had an edge over individual forms in ameliorating the adverse effects of salinity on growth and yield. Under salt stress, different nutrient elements such as N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K⁺), and magnesium (Mg^{2 +}) were decreased in different plant parts (leaves, stem, and root). The maximum and minimum reduction was observed with ammoniacal and combined form of nitrogen, respectively, while the reverse was true of calcium (Ca^{2 +}), sodium (Na⁺), chloride (Cl^?), and sulfate (SO₄ ^2?) at harvest. Nitrogen application (120 Kg ha^{? 1}) in combined form had been found to maintain highest concentrations of N, P, Mg^{2 +}, and Ca^{2 +} along with reduced concentrations of Na⁺, Cl^?, and SO₄ ^{2 ?}. However, reverse was true with ammoniacal form of nitrogen.     

水稻对硝态氮响应的生理指标筛选

采用温室水培试验方法 ,系统评价了 4 0个遗传特性不同的水稻品种对 3种比例氮营养(NH 4 /NO-3 比例分别为 10 0∶0、5 0∶5 0和 0∶10 0 )的反应和对硝态氮响应的生理指标筛选。结果表明 ,4 0个水稻品种 (系 )在NH 4 /NO-3 比为 5 0∶5 0的营养液中生长最佳 ,植株总干重最高 ,但各个基因型的表现差异较大。根据水稻在两种比例氮营养液 (10 0∶0和 5 0∶5 0 )中的表现可将水稻分为 3种类型 :硝高度响应型、硝中度响应型、硝不响应型。在混合氮营养液中硝高度响应型水稻地上部干重、根干重、总干重和氮积累量显著比单一铵营养液中的高。在评价不同水稻基因型对硝营养的响应时 ,根干物重和氮积累量可作为筛选的主要生理指标