Soil Acidity Changes in Bulk Soil and Maize Rhizosphere in Response to Nitrogen Fertilization

The capacity of nitrogen (N) fertilizers to acidify the soil is regulated principally by the rate and N source. Nitrogen fertilizers undergo hydrolysis and nitrification in soil, resulting in the release of free hydrogen (H⁺) ions. Simultaneously, ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) absorption by roots strongly acidifies the rhizosphere, whereas absorption of nitrate (NO₃ ^?) slightly alkalinizes it. The rhizosphere effects on soil acidity and plant growth in conjunction with N rate are not clearly known. To assess the impact of these multiple factors, changes in the acidity of a Typic Argiudol soil, fertilized with two N sources (urea and UAN) at two rates (equivalent to 100 and 200 kg N ha^?1), were studied in a greenhouse experiment using maize as the experimental plant. Soil pH (measured in a soil–water slurry), total acidity, exchangeable acidity, and exchangeable aluminum (Al) were measured in rhizospheric and bulk soil. Plant biomass and foliar area (FA) were also measured at the V₆ stage. Nitrogen fertilization significantly reduce the pH in the bulk soil by 0.3 and 0.5 units for low and high rates respectively. Changes in the rhizosphere (the “rhizospheric effect”) resulted in a significant increase in soil pH, from 5.9 to 6.2. The rhizospheric effect × N source interaction significantly increased exchangeable acidity in the rhizosphere relative to bulk soil, particularly when UAN was added at a low rate. Only total acidity was significantly increased by the fertilizer application rate. In spite of the bulk soil acidification, no significant differences in exchangeable aluminum were detected. Aerial biomass and FA were significantly increased by the higher N rate, but N source had no effect on them. Although changes in acidity were observed, root biomass was not significantly affected.     

外源铅胁迫对不同土壤上水稻生长及铅形态的影响

采用温室水稻盆栽试验研究2种土壤上水稻铅的生物有效性及土壤铅形态的变化。结果表明:铅对2种土壤水稻干物重和籽粒重量的影响表现为,随铅处理浓度升高,水稻干物重和籽粒重量明显下降。黄红壤上种植的水稻干物重和籽粒重量高于青紫泥。不同铅处理下水稻各器官铅含量表现为根>茎>叶>壳>籽粒。2种土壤上NH4OAc提取的有效态铅含量与外源铅的量呈显著正相关。随外源土壤铅含量增加土壤pH显著下降。随土壤铅含量增加土壤铅的生物有效性增强,水稻对铅的吸收明显增加,水稻可食部的铅含量升高。采用连续提取法分析了土壤铅的形态,结果表明,青紫泥铁锰氧化态和有机态的铅含量高于黄红壤,水溶态、交换态和碳酸盐态含量低于黄红壤。铅在黄红壤上的移动性较青紫泥高。     

不同磷水平对红壤溶液中锰、铝、镁和钙浓度变化以及小麦生长的影响

为了探明不同磷水平对红壤中土壤溶液主要金属离子变化的影响以及小麦对磷的响应,确定红壤中小麦适宜的施磷水平,采用原位提取土壤溶液和比较生物量的方法,监测了短期内红壤溶液中主要金属离子浓度变化及小麦生物量的变化。结果表明:碳酸钙的加入可以显著升高酸性红壤的p H,土壤溶液中铝、锰和镁浓度显著低于未加碳酸钙处理;800 mg/kg磷处理后铝、锰、镁和钙的浓度要比未加磷处理分别至少降低47%、44%、37%和33%。随着施磷量的增加,小麦在200 mg/kg磷处理时积累的生物量最大,随后磷增加,小麦生物量反而降低。而加碳酸钙处理小麦地下部生物量随着施磷量增加则降低。结果表明碳酸钙不仅可以有效升高土壤p H,降低土壤溶液铝浓度,还降低土壤溶液中锰的浓度。磷的加入同样可以降低锰和铝的浓度,缓解铝和锰毒害。红壤中生长小麦的适宜施磷量为200 mg/kg。     

有机物料对酸性红壤铝毒的缓解效应

利用盆栽试验研究了施用不等量稻草对酸性红壤旱耕地铝毒的缓解效应。结果表明,添加不等量的秸秆碳(C)后,土壤pH值显著提高,土壤交换性铝和吸附态羟基铝的含量则明显降低,土壤有机络合态铝的含量也呈增加趋势。添加铝盐并不影响秸秆碳对降低土壤交换性铝和吸附态羟基铝含量的作用。在本研究中,土壤pH值与土壤交换性铝和土壤吸附态羟基铝均呈显著负相关,方程分别为y=-2193.9x+11545,R2=0.9798**,y=-655.34x+9748,R2=0.7837**。土壤交换性铝和吸附态羟基铝与玉米主根长,地上部磷、钾含量均呈显著负相关,是抑制玉米吸收养分的主要限制因素,土壤吸附态羟基铝是次于交换性铝的又一活性较大的铝化合物。     

凤凰单枞茶树吸收土壤铬和锰的规律研究

[目的]探究凤凰单枞茶树对土壤中铬和锰的吸收规律,为综合防治茶园土壤Cr和Mn污染提供科学依据。[方法]对粤东揭阳市揭东县宝山茶园凤凰单枞茶树和土壤进行采样,运用原子吸收分光光度计法测定茶叶、茶茎和茶根中Cr和Mn的含量,并采用乙酸提取法和原子吸收分光光度计法测定土壤样品中酸可提取态Cr和Mn的含量。[结果]茶树各器官Cr含量由高到低分布情况依次为:茶根>茶茎>茶叶;而Mn含量分布情况依次为:茶叶>茶茎>茶根。茶叶中Cr和Mn含量与土壤中酸可提取态Cr和Mn呈显著正相关性,茶茎中Cr含量与土壤中酸可提取态Cr也呈显著正相关性;茶叶、茶茎和茶根中的Cr含量均与土壤中有机质含量呈显著正相关性,茶根中的Mn含量与土壤pH值呈显著负相关性,茶叶中的Mn与土壤有机质呈显著正相关性。[结论]通过调节土壤酸可溶解态Cr和Mn,土壤pH值和有机质含量,从而控制茶树吸收Cr和Mn的量,可以达到防治茶叶重金属污染,提高茶叶质量的目的。     

Organic Amendment Effects on the Transformation and Fractionation of Aluminum in Acidic Sandy Soil

Addition of organic amendments can alleviate the level of aluminum (Al) phytotoxicity in acid soils by affecting the nature and quantity of Al species. This study evaluated the transformation of Al in an acidic sandy Alaquod soil amended with composts (10 and 50 g kg^?1 soil of yard waste, yard + municipal waste, GreenEdge^®, and synthetic humic acid) based on soil Al fractionation by single and sequential extractions. Though the organic compost amendments increased total Al in soil, they alleviated Al potential toxicity in acidic soil by increasing soil pH and converting exchangeable Al to organically bound and other noncrystalline fractions, stressing the benefits of amending composts to improve acid soil fertility. The single‐extraction method appears to be more reliable for exchangeable Al than sequential extraction because of the use of nonbuffered pH extract solution.     

Acidification in the Rhizosphere of Rape Seedlings and in Bulk Soil by Nitrification and Ammonium Uptake

Ammonium salts used as fertilizers may cause soil acidification by two different processes: nitrification in soil and net release of protons from roots. Their influence on soil pH may vary depending on the distance from root surface. The aim of this study was to distinguish between these two processes. For this purpose rape seedlings were grown 10 d in a system which separated roots from soil by a fine-meshed screen. As a function of distance from the plane root layer formed on the screen, pH, titratable and exchangeable acidity and NO₃- and NH₄-nitrogen were determined. The soil, a luvisol from loess, was supplied with no N or (NH₄)₂SO₄ either with or without a nitrification inhibitor (DCD). The bulk soil pH remained unaffected when no N or 400 mg NH₄? N kg^?1 soil plus DCD was applied but it decreased from 6.6 to 5.8 without DCD. In contrast, rhizosphere pH decreased in all cases, mainly within a distance of 1 mm from the root plane only, but with gradients extending to between 2 and 4 mm into the soil. The strongest pH decrease, from 6.6 to 4.9, occurred at the root surface of plants treated with both NH₄-N and DCD where most of the mineral N remained as ammonium. In this case Al was solubilized in the rhizosphere as indicated by exchangeable acidity. Total soil acidity produced in the NH₄ treatment without DCD was mainly derived from nitrification compared to root released protons. However, acidification of the rhizosphere was diminished by nitrification because nitrate ions taken up by the roots counteracted net proton release. It is concluded that nitrification inhibitors may reduce proton input from ammonium fertilizers but enhance acidification at the soil-root interface which may cause Al toxicity to plants.     

矿物质调理剂中铝的稳定性及其对酸性土壤的改良作用

通过室内土壤培养试验和模拟酸雨浸泡试验,研究了3种含铝量不同的矿物质调理剂中铝的稳定性及其对酸性土壤的改良效果。该类调理剂是利用钾长石、白云石和石灰石等合理配伍后经高温焙烧而制得,呈弱碱性,富含有效钙、镁、钾、硅等营养元素。试验结果表明,施入0.5~2 g/kg调理剂培养60 d后,土壤pH由4.98升高到5.04~5.42,交换性铝含量下降37.40%~68.90%,吸附态羟基铝含量稍有增加,但毒害性铝和活性铝总量分别降低了5.37%~9.50%和4.33%~12.08%,提高土壤中交换性钙、镁、钾和有效硅的含量。同时模拟酸雨浸泡试验中铝溶出量明显降低。该类矿物质调理剂能中和土壤酸度、缓解铝毒和增加土壤养分;调理剂中铝稳定性较高,不会对土壤铝毒产生叠加效应,可安全应用于农业生产。     

Soil base saturation affects root growth of European beech seedlings§

To assess the potential effects of Al toxicity on the roots of young European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), seeds were sown in soil monoliths taken from the Ah and B horizons of forest soils with very low base saturation (BS) and placed in the greenhouse. The Ah horizons offered a larger supply of exchangeable cation nutrients than the B horizons. After 8 weeks of growth under optimal moisture conditions, the seedlings were further grown for 14 d under drought conditions. Root‐growth dynamics were observed in rhizoboxes containing soils from the Ah and B horizons. The concentrations of Al³⁺, base cations, and nitrate in the soil solution and element concentrations in the root tissue were compared with above‐ and belowground growth parameters and root physiological parameters. There was no strong evidence that seedling roots suffered from high soil‐solution Al³⁺ concentrations. Within the tested range of BS (1.2%–6.5%) our results indicated that root physiological parameters such as O₂ consumption decreased and callose concentration increased in soils with a BS < 3%. In contrast to the B horizons, seedlings in the Ah horizons had higher relative shoot‐growth rates, specific root lengths, and lengths and branching increments, but a lower root‐to‐shoot ratio and root‐branching frequency. In conclusion, these differences in growth patterns were most likely due to differences in nutrient availability and to the drought application and not attributable to differences in Al³⁺ concentrations in the soil solution.     

Critical pH and exchangeable Al of four acidic soils derived from different parent materials for maize crops

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the critical soil pH, exchangeable aluminum (Al), and Al saturation of the soils derived from different parent materials for maize.

Materials and methods

An Alfisol derived from loess deposit and three Ultisols derived from Quaternary red earth, granite, and Tertiary red sandstone were used for pot experiment in greenhouse. Ca(OH)₂ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ were used to adjust soil pH to target values. The critical soil pH was obtained by two intersected linear lines of maize height, chlorophyll content, and yield of shoot and root dry matter changing with soil pH.

Results and discussion

In low soil pH, Al toxicity significantly decreased plant height, chlorophyll content, and shoot and root dry matter yields of maize crops. The critical values of soil pH, exchangeable Al, and Al saturation varied with soil types. Critical soil pH was 4.46, 4.73, 4.77, and 5.07 for the Alfisol derived from loess deposit and the Ultisol derived from Quaternary red earth, granite, and Tertiary red sandstone, respectively. Critical soil exchangeable Al was 2.74, 1.99, 1.93, and 1.04 cmol_ckg^?1 for the corresponding soils, respectively. Critical Al saturation was 5.63, 12.51, 14.84, and 15.16% for the corresponding soils.

Conclusions

Greater soil cation exchange capacity and exchangeable base cations led to lower critical soil pH and higher critical soil exchangeable Al and Al saturation for maize.

     

Determination of Zinc Phytoavailability in Soil by Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films

Assessment of zinc (Zn) phytoavailability by the newly developed technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) has started gaining more importance because of some advantages over routine soil extractants. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine Zn phytotoxicity thresholds and the phytoavailability of Zn to sorghum sudan (Sorghum vulgare var. sudanese) grass by DGT, compared with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) extraction. Treatments were five Zn levels and two soil pH (6.5 and 6). To obtain various amounts of Zn phytoavailability, soils having two different pH values were amended with zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) at rates of 0, 150, 300, 600, and 1200 mg Zn kg^?1. Control soil (pH = 6.5) was treated with predetermined elemental sulfur to create different soil pH values (6). Shoot and root Zn concentrations ranged from 27 to 827 mg kg^?1 and 101 to 2858 mg kg^?1, respectively. In general, the Zn concentrations in shoots and roots were increased by increasing Zn concentrations and soil pH. Increasing applied Zn to soil decreased the plant biomass yield and increased adsorption of Zn by DGT. Calcium (Ca) to Zn ratios for all treatments except controls were <26 for shoots and <13 for roots. The CaCl₂‐extractable Zn and effective concentration (C_E) correlated well with plant Zn concentration. A critical shoot Zn concentration for 90% of the control yield was chosen as an indicator of Zn toxicity. The performance of DGT, CaCl₂ extraction, Ca/Zn ratio and plant Zn concentrations were similar for assessing Zn phytoavailability.     

Soil properties, and cotton growth, yield and fibre quality in three cotton-based cropping systems

The effects of three cotton-based cropping systems on soil properties, black root rot severity, and growth of cotton in a Vertisol were evaluated after a series of floods in eastern Australia. The experimental treatments, which had been imposed since 1985, were conventionally and minimum-tilled continuous cotton, and minimum-tilled cotton–wheat rotation. Frequent rainfall and flooding during the winter of 1998 resulted in near saturated soil at spring sowing in October. Although conventional tillage operations were completed before flooding, minimum tillage operations were not possible due to excessive moisture and cotton was sown onto the old beds with no-tillage. Soil specific volume (electrical conductivity of a 1:5 soil:water suspension) EC_1:5, exchangeable Na content, pH and organic C were determined for the top 0.6 m of the profile in summer 1998 and again in 1999. Organic C in the surface 0.10 m was also evaluated during 1998–2000. Black root rot severity and mycorrhizal fungal colonisation were evaluated at 6 weeks after sowing. Tissue nutrient concentrations were measured in mature cotton plants. Cotton lint yield and fibre quality were evaluated after picking and ginning.

In comparison with either minimum- or conventionally tilled continuous cotton, minimum-tilled cotton–wheat rotation had the lowest exchangeable Na content and severity of bacterial black root rot, best surface structure and the highest crop growth, nutrient uptake and lint yields. Subsoil structure was the best with conventionally tilled continuous cotton. The 1998 floods appear to have decreased exchangeable Na and increased soil pH in all treatments. Surface organic C also decreased between 1998 and 2000. Soil structural damage was minimised by avoiding tillage and trafficking in wet conditions. Compared with 1998, average yield decreases in 1999 were of the order of 43%. Cotton lint fibre quality was also poorer in 1999.     

Strontium Absorption by Two Trifolium Species as Influenced by Soil Characteristics and Liming

Strontium absorption by plants is specific to individual species and also depends on the underlying soil properties. The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate the effect of certain soil characteristics and liming on Sr absorption by twoTrifolium species. One-liter volume of two inorganic and three organic soilswere treated with a combination of three CaCO₃ levels, 0, 3.6 and 7.2 g, × two Sr levels, 50 and 100 mg, (treatments) in four replications. Trifolium repens L. was grown in thetreated soils, in pots, harvested twice, and Sr in theabove-ground biomass of each harvest and soil exchangeable Caof each treatment were determined. The experiment was repeatedwith Trifolium subterraneum L., harvested once. For bothspecies, Sr transfer factor (T.F.) values of the varioustreatments were calculated. Shoot Sr concentrations weresignificantly affected by soil characteristics and Sr additionrates and were greater in T. repens. In all cases, theSr concentrations of plants grown in the organic soils, whichwere characterized by higher exchangeable Ca and cationexchange capacity (C.E.C.) values, were lower than those ofplants grown in the inorganic soils. Among the organic soils,Sr concentrations of the plants grown in the soil with thehighest values of C.E.C., organic matter and exchangeable Cawere the lowest. Liming decreased significantly the Srconcentrations in T. repens and T. subterraneumgrown in the two acid soils, while the pH and exchangeable Cawere increased. Shoot Sr concentration (log scale) wassignificantly, negatively correlated with soil exchangeable Ca. Strontium T.F. values were quite similar between the two Sr application rates and were affected by the same soil characteristics.     

土地利用方式与坡位土壤活性铝形态特征分析

以红壤坡地为材料,研究了地带性恢复林地、农作区、人工林地茶园和桔园等4种土地利用方式下土壤pH、有机质和铝形态的分异特征。结果表明,土壤pH、有机质和3种活性铝形态含量差异显著。和恢复区相比,农作区由于大量秸秆和根茬还土,土壤交换性铝的含量显著降低,而土壤吸附态羟基铝和有机络合态铝的含量则不同程度地提高;人工林地茶园和桔园则呈现出土壤交换性铝提高的特征,吸附态羟基铝和有机络合态铝含量下降。下坡位土壤表现为堆积,土壤pH值和有机质含量增加,土壤交换性铝含量比上坡位减少,吸附态羟基铝和有机络合态铝含量增加,降低了铝的毒性。相关分析表明,土壤pH值与土壤交换性铝呈显著负相关,y=-97.6x＋6009.2（R^2=0.7315）,与土壤吸附态羟基铝呈显著正相关,y=2810.8x-9293（R^2=0.9003）;而土壤有机质含量与土壤交换性铝呈显著负相关,y=-2963x＋17616（R^2=0.8977）,与土壤有机络合态铝呈显著正相关,y=553.4x-4779.1（R^2=0.4364）。说明土壤铝形态在坡面上的分异特征是坡面利用类型与地形部位共同作用的结果。     

湖泊底泥土地利用对土壤中铜形态的影响因素研究

研究了盆栽种植冬小麦条件下,质地、pH、碳氮比、有机质、水分5个影响因素对底泥土地利用后土壤中重金属铜形态及冬小麦各器官对铜的吸收、籽粒产量、生物量的影响。结果表明,土壤中铜的各形态含量均随底泥施用量的增加而增加;粘质土、高pH、高碳氮比、高有机质、低水分含量条件,可导致土壤中可交换态铜含量减少;铜在冬小麦各器官中的含量顺序为根系茎叶籽粒,并且随底泥施用量的增加而增加;在壤土条件、pH约7.80、碳氮比25∶1、高有机质、高水分条件下,冬小麦籽粒产量最高,生物量最大。     

稻-麦轮作体系不同施肥模式对氮肥利用效率和土壤有效养分平衡的影响

土壤肥力和养分利用效率是保障可持续粮食生产的基础。通过田间试验研究了稻—麦轮作体系下不同施肥模式氮肥利用效率和土壤有效养分的变化,结果表明:在减少养分总投入量的条件下,有机肥部分替代化肥处理(RF-OM和RF-S处理)水稻地上部总生物量显著高于LRF处理(P<0.05),与FP处理差异不大;小麦秸秆生物量与FP和LRF处理差异均不显著,籽粒生物量及地上部总生物量与LRF处理相差不大。水稻收获期RF-OM处理地上部主要器官含氮量与LRF处理差异不显著,氮素积累总量显著高于LRF处理(P<0.05);小麦收获期RF-OM和RF-S处理秸秆、籽粒含氮量和氮素积累量与LRF处理均无显著差异。收获期RF-OM和RF-S处理水稻糙米和稻壳、小麦秸秆和籽粒含磷量及磷素积累量与FP和LRF处理差异都不大;水稻秸秆、稻壳及小麦秸秆含钾量和钾素积累量均显著高于FP和LRF处理(P<0.05)。有机肥部分替代化肥处理水稻、小麦氮肥农学利用率、氮肥表观回收率和氮肥偏生产力与FP和LRF处理相比均显著提高(P<0.05),氮素籽粒生产效率也高于FP和LRF处理,甚至达到显著水平(P<0.05)。试验表明,水稻、小麦收获期增钾处理(RF-OM和RF-S处理)土壤速效钾、缓效钾含量显著高于FP和LRF处理(P<0.05),水稻收获期土壤碱解氮和小麦收获期土壤有效磷含量与LRF处理差异不大,同时,经1个稻—麦轮作周期后,4个施肥处理土壤有效养分(碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、缓效钾)含量均高于供试土壤。有机肥部分替代化肥能显著提高稻麦氮肥利用效率,有利于土壤有效养分平衡,并显著提高土壤速效钾和缓效钾养分含量,是适宜的稻麦化肥减量和稳产增效施用技术。     

Changes in aluminum pools of andisols due to soil acidification

Abstract

Aluminum concentrations in soil solutions are not only controlled by inorganic clay minerals but also by organically bound aluminum. The objective of this study was to determine which pools contribute to Al dissolution. Soil samples were taken at various distances from tree trunks and at various depths at the Rolling Land Laboratory (RLL), Hachioji, Tokyo. Selective dissolution techniques were used to analyze the changes in pools of solid-phase aluminum. Soil pH values around Hinoki cypresses were in the aluminum buffer range. Exchangeable aluminum contents in soils under Hinoki cypresses were 104 mmol_c kg-^?1 on the average. This value was similar to that of the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of Andisols at RLL at a soil pH of 4. The relationship between the soil pH and exchangeable, organically bound, and amorphous aluminum pools showed that dissolved aluminum ions in the soil solution were primarily derived from the amorphous Al pool. Dissolved aluminum ions were substituted with base cations of soils, resulting in the increase of the content of exchangeable Al and/or the formation of complexes with organic matter which increased the proportion of organically bound Al pools. Increase in the proportion of organically bound Al pools indicated the importance of complexation with soil organic matter for controlling the aluminum concentration in the soil solution.     

Soil pH influence on cadmium uptake by tobacco in high cadmium exposure

Cadmium (Cd) is a non‐essential toxic element, which is highly accumulated by tobacco leaves and is transferred to tobacco smoke thus contributing substantially to the permitted level of Cd intake by humans. Therefore, measures to reduce Cd accumulation by tobacco are of significant importance. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of soil liming on Cd uptake by tobacco plants in high Cd exposure. A pot experiment was conducted with Nicotiana tabacum L. Samsun 53 on an acid Typic Haploxeralf amended with refuse sugarbeet lime to obtain a pH range from 5.3 to 7.0 and contaminated with 20 mg kg^‐1 Cd applied as CdCl₂. Tobacco was grown in pots for three months under natural conditions, harvested in four cuts and Cd uptake by leaves was estimated. In soil samples selected, pH, Cd extracted by DTPA method, and Cd fractions such as exchangeable, organically bound, carbonate and residual were determined. The results showed that Cd uptake influenced negatively tobacco yield. Soil liming decreased Cd uptake by tobacco plants. The DTPA method was not a good indicator for Cd availability in tobacco. A very strong relationship was recorded between exchangeable Cd and total Cd uptake showing that this Cd fraction is available to tobacco plants. Soil pH was correlated strongly in a negative way with this Cd fraction suggesting that this soil factor is very important in controlling Cd accumulation by tobacco.     

不同作物根际环境对土壤重金属形态的影响

采用根垫法研究了玉米、大豆和小麦根际环境对污灌土壤中铜、镉、铅、锌形态的影响。研究结果表明：根际土壤中交换态铜含量呈现增加趋势，碳酸盐态和铁锰氧化物态金属则表现为减少趋势，有机态几无变化。形态变化的幅度与植物种类有关，其中大豆根际土壤中金属形态的变化比小麦和玉米显著。     

Einfluß steigender Stickstoffgaben auf den Kupferernährungszustand von Getreide

Effect of increasing nitrogen fertilization on copper demand in cereals Pot experiments were conducted with wheat (2 experiments) and spring barley (1 experiment) in a peat soil. Four N and four Cu fertilizer levels were chosen in such a way that, based on grain yield, within each N level there was a Cu deficient and a Cu sufficient treatment. For sufficient Cu supply, Cu level in soil and plant increased with increasing N level. Critical Cu concentrations in aboveground biomass at shooting [μg (g dw)^?1] were 3.5 (lowest N level = N₁) to 7.5 (highest N level = N₄) for grain production of wheat and barley, but for aboveground biomass of wheat at shooting they were only 2.6 (N₁) to 5.8 (N₄). Based on critical Cu concentration at different N levels, critical Cu/N ratios were determined. These were independent from N level, indicating that Cu remobilization in the older leaves is unlikely even at N deficiency. The high critical Cu concentrations at high N levels may be explained by an increased immobilization of Cu. Under Cu deficient conditions, Cu concentration did not increase with increasing N level. However, under Cu sufficient conditions, N concentration and Cu concentration of the plant increased with increasing N level. The increasing Cu uptake with increasing N level may be explained by the release of amines into the root apoplast and the rhizosphere. Particularly under Cu sufficient conditions, these may mobilize Cu by formation of soluble Cu-amine complexes.