氮素亏缺对苹果愈伤组织硝态氮吸收及同化的影响

【目的】研究硝态氮亏缺对苹果叶片愈伤组织生长及硝态氮吸收同化的影响,了解苹果愈伤组织对硝态氮亏缺的响应机制,为进一步研究缺氮处理影响愈伤组织生长发育的分子机理提供理论依据。【方法】以‘嘎拉3’组培苗叶片愈伤组织为试材进行组培试验,设置培养基中NO₃–-N亏缺和适宜两个水平 (NO₃–-浓度分别为0 mol/L和0.039 mol/L)。选取叶龄一致的功能性叶片,用灭菌手术刀片沿垂直叶脉方向划伤叶片并切除叶柄和叶尖,叶背向上平铺于MS分化培养基,暗培养3天然后转至光下7天,将长出愈伤组织的叶片分别转移至MS正常分化培养基 (CK) 和MS NO₃–-N亏缺分化培养基 (T,用NH₄Cl、KCl分别代替MS中的NH₄NO₃、KNO₃),培养3周。在转板第0、1、3、7、14、21天分别取叶片伤口处的愈伤组织,观察其细胞形态,测定硝态氮含量、NO₃–流速、氮素同化酶活性和氮素同化酶基因相对表达量。【结果】苹果愈伤组织经NO₃–-N亏缺处理1天后,细胞体积变小,间隙变大,排列疏松,7天后细胞变形,排列无规则。愈伤组织中硝态氮含量在处理7天时达到峰值,为1.54 mg/g,显著高于对照,最大降幅出现在7天后,为13.64%。NO₃–-N亏缺处理前,NO₃–吸收速率最大,为22.38 pmol/(cm2·s),处理1天后降幅为84.1%,处理至7天时,NO₃–已经由吸收变为外排,逆差为24.45 pmol/(cm2·s)。NR活性在处理至7天时无显著变化,7天后快速增加,增幅为19.26%。NiR活性在处理至14天时,无显著性差异,14天后上升幅度为21.83%,缺氮处理1天后,GS活性最低,为0.22 U/g,7天后稍有增加,增幅为22.9%。处理组GOGAT活性在第3天时最低,为0.088 U/g,随后酶活性增加并保持稳定,但是仍低于对照组。处理组氮代谢关键酶基因MdNR2、MdNIR、MdGS2、MdGOGAT的表达量在处理至21天时达到峰值,分别为对照组表达量的3.36、2.52、11.37和2.29倍。【结论】苹果愈伤组织对缺氮非常敏感,从第一天起就可以观测到细胞间隙变大且体积变小,对NO₃–的吸收速率逐渐降低,氮素同化酶活性基本呈逐渐降低的趋势,氮素同化酶基因表达量逐渐升高。缺氮7天后,苹果愈伤组织硝态氮含量趋于稳定,并开始外排NO₃–;氮素同化酶活性基本呈逐渐升高的趋势,氮素同化酶基因表达量进一步升高。总之,氮素亏缺处理前期提高了苹果愈伤组织对NO₃–的吸收,随着处理时间的延长,氮素代谢失衡,严重影响了细胞的形态结构,导致愈伤组织生长发育异常。     

Effect of ammonium or nitrate nutrition on photosynthesis,growth, and nitrogen assimilation in tomato plants

Nitrogen (N) is taken up by most plant species in the form of nitrate (NO ) or ammonium (NH ). Plant response to continuous NH nutrition is species‐dependent. In this study, we compare the responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Rio Grande) plants to N source (NO or NH ). To this end, early plant growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, carbohydrate, and N‐compound concentrations as well as the activities of main enzymes involved in N metabolism (nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate dehydrogenase) were analyzed. Early plant growth was remarkably ameliorated under NH ‐ in comparison to NO ‐based nutrition. Concomitantly, photosynthetic activity, total chlorophyll, and carbohydrate concentrations were significantly increased. With increasing external NH concentration, NH accumulated mainly in roots. In addition, root protein concentration was significantly increased, reflecting high NH incorporation into organic nitrogen. Root glutamine synthetase (GS) activity was enhanced by NH for concentrations below 5 mM, whereas root glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity increased in parallel to NH availability. Together with the positive effect of NH on tomato plant cv. Rio Grande growth, these results reveal that GDH could have, in addition to GS, a possible role in NH detoxification and tolerance of NH ‐based nutrition.     

Effects of plant age on nitrogen uptake and distribution by greenhouse plants

Water‐soluble nitrogen (N) fertilizer is intensively used in greenhouse crop production. Any N not used by a crop is subject to leaching as nitrate (NO₃‐N), which may pollute groundwater. A close correlation between N supply and N uptake by plants would increase the efficiency of N fertilization and minimize the possibility of NO₃‐N pollution. The objectives of this study were to measure N uptake by American marigold (Tagetes erecta L. ‘First Lady') and New Guinea Impatiens (NGI) (Impatiens hawkeri Bull. ‘Selenia') during growth, to determine the effect of plant age on N uptake, to determine if the two species have a preference for NO₃‐N or ammonium (NH₄‐N), and to determine the total N required for 70 days of growth.The plants were grown in solution culture using solutions supplying 120 mg each of NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N. At ten day intervals, six cultures were chosen at random for nutrient solution analysis and plant sampling for dry weight and tissue analysis. Nitrate‐N uptake was greater than NH₄‐N uptake throughout the experiment for both marigold and NGI. Total N uptake by marigold was greater during the first 50 days after transplanting with maximum N uptake during the period 30 to 50 days. In contrast, N uptake by NGI was greater during the period 40 to 70 days after transplanting. Maximum N uptake for NGI occurred during the period 60 to 70 days. Results of this study suggest that early N fertilization of marigold could be more important for their growth and quality than N applied later. For NGI, N fertilization later in the crop's development appears to be more important than early on. The total N absorbed by marigold during the experiment was 1.1 gm N plant^‐1; for NGI the quantity was 0.5 gm N plant‐¹.     

不同氮素形态比例条件下接种AMF对玉米氮同化关键酶的影响

以珍珠岩为基质,通过供应3种不同的NH4+∶NO3ˉ比例营养液,研究了接种丛枝菌根真菌对玉米氮同化关键酶活性的影响。结果看出,与不接种的玉米植株相比,接种Glomus intraradices和Glomus mosseae分别在NH4+∶NO3ˉ=3∶1和NH4+∶NO3ˉ=1∶3形态下提高了植物叶片的硝酸还原酶活性;接种AMF对叶片谷氨酰胺合成酶活性（GS）影响不大,但在NH4+∶NO3ˉ=3∶1形态下接种3种AMF处理均显著提高了根系GS活性,相对提高了铵态氮在地下部的同化比例。在铵态氮比例较高时,接种AMF的促生效应较好,且AMF提高根系GS活性作用较大。表明丛枝菌根真菌在促进宿主植物对铵态氮的利用作用较大。     

机械损伤对烤烟植株氮素吸收及体内烟碱含量的影响

采用砂培和营养液培养方法,研究了在营养生长阶段切除顶芽和叶片损伤对烟株生长、体内烟碱浓度、氮浓度及吸氮量的影响。结果表明,切除顶芽导致烟株体内烟碱浓度和含量显著增加。叶片损伤也能增加体内的烟碱浓度,且损伤二次比损伤一次的效果更为明显,说明叶面损伤对烟株体内烟碱合成的影响具有累积效应。但叶面损伤对烟株体内烟碱合成的影响小于打顶处理。切除顶芽和叶面损伤对烟株体内的氮浓度及吸氮量均无显著影响,但显著提高了烟株体内单位氮素产生烟碱的能力。试验结果还表明,机械损伤刺激烟株体内烟碱的合成,烟碱增加与氮素吸收无直接关系。     

玉米/大豆、玉米/花生间作对作物氮素吸收及结瘤固氮的影响

禾本科与豆科作物间作具有显著的增氮作用。为探明玉米/大豆、玉米/花生间作模式的氮素吸收、氮营养竞争能力及豆科结瘤特性的变化,解释玉米与豆科间作体系的增氮效应,通过田间试验,设置玉米单作（MM）、大豆单作（SS）、玉米/大豆间作（MS）、花生单作（PP）、玉米/花生间作（MP）等5种种植模式,研究不同种植模式对作物氮素积累、氮营养竞争强弱及豆科结瘤固氮特性的调控作用。结果表明,与单作相比,间作显著降低玉米和大豆的氮素积累量,对花生的氮素积累量影响不显著。5种模式系统氮素积累总量表现为MS > SS > MP,PP和MM处理最低且差异不显著,MS处理比MP处理显著高21.8%。与MM处理相比,MS和MP处理的玉米氮素积累量分别降低20.5%和11.7%,其中MP处理籽粒、叶片和茎秆氮素积累量比MS处理高8.9%、21.2%和14.3%。与SS处理相比,MS处理的大豆氮素积累量降低28.5%,其中,中行、边行分别降低10.1%、15.4%。玉米相对大豆氮营养竞争比率表现为强（CR_ms>1）,相对花生则表现为弱（CR_mp<1）。与SS处理相比,五叶期MS处理的大豆根瘤数量显著增加,根瘤鲜重无显著差异,盛花期后根瘤数量和鲜重均显著降低;MS处理的大豆根瘤固氮酶活性均降低,且中行降低幅度更大。与PP处理相比,开花期MP处理的花生根瘤数量和鲜重均显著增加,下针期后均显著降低;MP处理的花生根瘤固氮酶活性均降低,且边行降低幅度更大。各间作模式作物的氮素积累量虽然降低,但间作模式的系统氮素积累量却显著高于各单作模式,两种间作模式中MS处理的氮素积累总量最高。     

Uptake,assimilation and transport of nitrogen compounds by plants

This paper reviews current knowledge and presents some new information on the metabolism of nitrogen in various species of higher plants.The role of the root system is considered. It is shown that the roots of many herbaceous and woody plants can manufacture organic compounds of nitrogen from the nitrate or other forms of inorganic nitrogen they absorb from the medium. The extent to which they do this varies greatly with the age and nutrition of the plant and with the environmental conditions under which it is growing. The relationship is examined between the synthetic activities of the root and its activity in upward transport of nitrogen to the shoot. The latter process takes place predominantly, if not exclusively, in the xylem, and in each species one or more nitrogen-rich compounds, e.g., amides, ureides and amino acids, carry the bulk of the nitrogen leaving the root. A second group of plants is described in which roots do not function to any extent in the reduction of nitrate.Consideration is given to the fate of recently absorbed nitrogen once it reaches the shoot system. An inorganic source such as nitrate, or molecules such as amides containing surplus amino groupings, are shown to serve as nitrogen sources for synthesis of amino acids required for protein synthesis. Some of these amino acids arise directly from the photosynthetic apparatus. Alternatively, surplus nitrogen arriving from the root may be stored in the shoot, from where it is drawn upon extensively if uptake by the root fails to keep pace with the shoot's demands for nitrogen.The transport system for nitrogen is examined for the whole plant. The classes of sources and sinks for nitrogen are described, and information presented on the types of nitrogenous solutes they receive from the xylem and phloem.     

Simulated glyphosate drift influences nitrate assimilation and nitrogen fixation in non-glyphosate-resistant soybean

Nontarget injury from glyphosate drift is a concern among growers using non-glyphosate-resistant (non-GR) cultivars. The effects of glyphosate drift on nitrate assimilation and nitrogen fixation potential, nodule mass, and yield of non-GR soybean were assessed in a field trial at Stoneville, MS. A non-GR soybean cultivar 'Delta Pine 4748S' was treated with glyphosate at 12.5% of use rate of 0.84 kg of active ingredient/ha at 3 (V2), 6 (V7), and 8 (R2, full bloom) weeks after planting (WAP) soybean to simulate glyphosate drift. Untreated soybean was used as a control. Soybeans were sampled weekly for 2 weeks after each glyphosate treatment to assess nitrate assimilation and N2 fixation potential. Nitrate assimilation was assessed using in vivo nitrate reductase assay in leaves, stems, roots, and nodules. Nitrogen fixation potential was assessed by measuring nitrogenase activity using the acetylene reduction assay (ARA). Nitrogen content of leaves, shoots, and seed and soybean yield were also determined. In the first sampling date (4 WAP), glyphosate drift caused a significant decrease in NRA in leaves (60%), stems (77%), and nodules (50%), with no decrease in roots. At later growth stages, NRA in leaves was more sensitive to glyphosate drift than stems and roots. Nitrogenase activity was reduced 36-58% by glyphosate treatment at 3 or 6 WAP. However, glyphosate treatment at 8 WAP had no effect on nitrogenase activity. Nitrogen content was affected by glyphosate application only in shoots after the first application. No yield, seed nitrogen, protein, or oil concentration differences were detected. These results suggest that nitrate assimilation and nitrogen fixation potential were significantly reduced by glyphosate drift, with the greatest sensitivity early in vegetative growth. Soybean has the ability to recover from the physiological stress caused by glyphosate drift.     

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide effects on sorghum and soybean nutrient status 1

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration could have significant implications on technologies for managing plant nutrition to sustain crop productivity in the future. Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) (C3 species) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) (C4 species) were grown in a replicated split‐plot design using open‐top field chambers under ambient (357 μmol/mol) and elevated (705 μmol/mol) atmospheric CO₂. At anthesis, leaf disks were taken from upper mature leaves of soybean and from the third leaf below the head of sorghum for analysis of plant nutrients. Leaf greenness was measured with a Minolta SPAD‐502 chlorophyll meter. Concentrations of chlorophylls a and b and specific leaf weight were also measured. Above‐ground dry matter and seed yield were determined at maturiry. Seed yield of sorghum increased 17.5% and soybean seed yield increased 34.7% with elevated CO₂. There were no differences in extractable chlorophyll concentration or chlorophyll meter readings due to CO₂ treatment, but meter readings were reduced 6% when sorghum was grown in chambers as compared in the open. Leaf nitrogen (N) concentration of soybean decreased from 54.5 to 39.1 g/kg at the higher CO₂ concentration. Neither the chambers nor CO₂ had an effect on concentrations of other plant nutrients in either species. Further work under field conditions is needed to determine if current critical values for tissue N in crops, especially C3 crops, should be adjusted for future increases in atmospheric CO₂ concentration.     

Potato uptake and recovery of nitrogen 15N-enriched ammonium nitrate

Tuber yield and nitrogen uptake in potatoes were recorded during 1996 and 1997 in Southern Bavaria. Recovery of applied fertilizer nitrogen was measured by using ¹⁵N (¹⁵NH₄¹⁵NO₃). Nitrogen fertilizer was brought out either broadcast or in the ridge; 150 kg N ha⁻¹ were applied either at planting or in split doses of 50 kg N ha⁻¹ (at planting, emergence and at 20-cm plant height). Due to unfavorable conditions, tuber yield and fertilizer N recovery were lower in 1996 as compared with 1997. Fertilizer N recovery in plant biomass (tuber and foliage) ranged from 35.9% to 68.5% at growth stage EC 79; the main fraction was allocated to tubers. Placement of fertilizer N in the ridge had a positive effect on N recovery, when the total N amount was applied at planting. In broadcast application, fertilizer N recovery was higher when the fertilizer doses were split, as compared with a single broadcast application at planting. When fertilizer N was applied in split doses, the effect of N placement became negligibly small. Fertilizer N recovery in soil ranged from 19.5% to 24.6%, and total recovery ranged from 60.1% to 88.0%. Rainfall between planting and plant emergence, and conditions restricting plant development in early developmental stages were related with unaccounted fertilizer N losses. Therefore, the positive effects of split N applications or fertilizer placement are most likely to occur under unfavorable growing conditions.     

施用铵态氮对森林土壤硝态氮和铵态氮的影响

对取自武夷山的红壤、黄壤、黄壤性草甸土分别在对照(CK,N 0 mg/kg)、低氮(LN,N 50 mg/kg)、高氮(HN,N 100 mg/kg)3种氮(N)水平处理下开展培养实验,研究施加NH4+-N对森林土壤N转化的短期影响.结果表明,添加NH4+-N可显著(p＜0.05)降低土壤NO3--N含量4.5％～25.7％,但LN与HN处理差异不显著,NO3--N降低可能与NO3--N反硝化和异氧还原有关;然而,黄壤性草甸土NO3--N没有降低.与培养前比较,在第56天红壤NO3--N含量显著增加5倍左右;桐木关黄壤增加40％左右,而黄冈山25 km黄壤仅在CK处理下增加16％,但是黄壤性草甸土显著降低;结果显示LN与HN处理土壤NO3--N含量变化幅度小于CK.与CK相比,LN和HN处理红壤NH4+-N分别显著(p＜0.05)升高24.1％ ～ 96.5％和68.7％～114.1％,且随培养进行没有累积,可能与微生物固N有关;桐木关NH4+-N分别升高17.6％ ～ 39.6％和37.6％～95.8％ (p＜0.05),LN处理黄冈山25 km黄壤NH4+-N只有第7天升高17.8％ (p＜0.05),HN处理第7、14、28、42天显著升高17.5％～48.6％(p＜0.05).LN处理黄壤性草甸土的NH4+-N在前3周显著降低11.6％～28.5％ (p＜0.01); HN处理在第7天和14天分别降低10.8％(p＜0.01)和7.5％,但是在第28～56天显著增加17.6％～20.4％(p=0.002).随着培养进行,CK处理红壤NH4+-N逐渐降低,桐木关黄壤、黄冈山25 km黄壤和黄壤性草甸土升高;LN和HN处理黄壤和黄壤性草甸土NH4+-N逐渐升高.可见,不同海拔土壤类型对NH4+-N添加响应存在差异.     

Effects of symbiosis with Rhizobium fredii on transport of fixed nitrogen in the xylem of soybean plants

An experiment was conducted to identify the main nitrogenous compound transported in the xylem sap of soybean plants nodulated with Rhizobium fredii. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars, wild type Bragg (nod⁺, fix⁺) and its nitrate tolerant, hypernodulating mutant ntsll16 (nod⁺⁺, fix⁺) were used for this experiment. These soybean plants were inoculated with a slowgrowing rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDAllO or fast-growing rhizobia consisting of a mixture of R. fredii USDA191, USDA193, and USDA-194 and grown in a phytotron under natural light and controlled temperature conditions. Xylem sap was collected from Bragg and ntsll16 plants at the flowering and pod elongation stages. Acetylene reduction activity per plant or per nodule weight was not different between soybean lines and inoculums. The composition of the nitrogenous compounds in the xylem sap was compared between the symbionts, with B. japonicum and R. fredii. At the flowering stage, ureide-N and amide-N accounted for 53 to 70% and 20 to 27% respectively of the total N in the sap collected from the plants inoculated either with B. japonicum or R. fredii. At the pod elongation stage, ureide-N and amide-N accounted for 74 to 85%, and 7 to 19% of total sap N. With the growth of the soybean plants, the ratio of ureide-N in the xylem sap increased. These results suggest that in the case of wild soybean and the hypernodulating mutant line nodulated by R. fredii, ureide is transported as the main nitrogenous compound of fixed nitrogen in the xylem sap in the same way as in plants nodulated with B. japonicum.     

黑、紫粒小麦对氮素吸收及同化特性的初步研究

以3个不同类型小麦品种为试材,通过对幼苗期根系氮素吸收Vmax和Km的测定及灌浆期剑叶中NR、GS活性的比较分析,初步探讨了黑、紫粒小麦根系对氮素吸收的动力学和同化特性及其与营养品质间的相互关系。结果表明,同普通的白粒小麦相比,黑、紫粒小麦在对氮素的吸收、转运和同化等方面均具有较强的优势,这可能是其蛋白质等营养成分富积的主要原因之一。     

Genotypic variation for nitrogen uptake and assimilation using hydroponic culture technique in wheat

Hydroponic culture technique is an alternative way of studying nitrogen metabolism. In this study, the response of six wheat genotypes (PBW 621, PBW 636, GLU 1356, BW 8989, GLU 700, and PBW 343) with respect to nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes in relation to accumulation of soluble proteins and amino acids at two concentrations of nitrogen (2 and 6 mM) was studied. Activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase as well as soluble proteins, amino acids, and nitrogen content increased in all six genotypes with increasing concentration of nitrogen in roots as well as shoots. Shoots maintained higher activities of NR and glutamine synthetase; apparently contents of soluble protein, amino acid, and nitrogen were also higher. The upregulation of NR and glutamine synthetase activities with increased concentration of nitrogen possibly contributes to higher nitrogen assimilation efficiency of three genotypes (PBW 621, PBW 636, and GLU 1356) compared to other genotypes.     

土壤压实对土壤物理性质及小麦氮磷钾吸收的影响

为了研究土壤压实对土壤物理性质以及小麦养分吸收情况的影响,在2006和2007年进行了两轮田间试验.试验中,先用旋耕机对田块进行旋耕,耕深10cm,然后使用手扶式、轮式、履带式拖拉机在旋耕后的田块中通过1次(T1)、2次(T2)、4次(T3)以对土壤进行压实处理,对照组(T4)不作任何压实处理.压实处理后再次对土壤表层进行浅旋耕,耕深5 cm,耕后用播种机进行小麦播种,小麦品种为南京-601.试验结果发现,次表层土壤的压实处理显著影响次表层土壤的容重,孔隙度,小麦蛋白质含量以及植物中N、P、K的含量.除次表层的土壤容重在T3组中最大,T4组中最小外,其他参数值在T4组中最大,T3组中最小.并且,随着次表层土壤压实程度的增加,几乎所有的参数(土壤容重除外)都有所减少.不过,与第一年相比,参数值在第二年略有增加.总之,土壤压实严重破坏土壤结构,不利于小麦对养分的吸收.     

磷酸二氢钙和氯化钾对氯化铵处理黄泥土水溶性铵态氮和硝态氮的影响

氮磷钾是农业生产中大量施用并且经常共同施用的肥料,三者在土壤中的相互作用对养分的迁移转化、吸收和代谢有着深远影响.本文模拟生产中氮磷钾肥料同施,研究了田间持水量条件下磷酸二氢钙、氯化钾对氯化铵处理土壤水溶性铵态氮和硝态氮的影响.结果表明,铵态氮施入土壤后,随着培养时间的延长,土壤中水溶性铵态氮含量下降,硝态氮含量升高,两者之间存在着显著相关性.磷酸二氢钙延缓了铵态氮向其他形态氮的转变,使培养中期土壤水溶性铵态氮显著高于氯化铵处理土壤,并对培养中后期硝态氮的增加有抑制作用.氯化钾增加了培养前中期氯化铵处理土壤铵态含量,但显著抑制了氯化铵处理土壤培养后期硝态氮的含量.因此,农业生产中氯化铵和氯化钾共施,氯化铵和磷酸二氢钙共施,氯化铵、氯化钾和磷酸二氢钙共施,对提高氮肥利用率,降低硝态氮淋失损失均有重要作用.     

土壤微生物生物氮与植物氮吸收的关系

The contents of the soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) in the soils sampled from the Loess Plateau of China were determined using chloroform fumigation aerobic incubation method (CFAIM),chloroform fumigation anaerobic incubation method (CFANIM) and chloroform fumigation-extraction method (CFEM). The N taken up by ryegrass on the soils was determined after a galsshouse pot experiment. The flushes of nitrogen (FN) of the soils obtained by the CFAIM and CFANIM were higher than that by the CFEM, and there were significantly positive correlations between the FN obtained by the 3 methods. The N extracted from the fumigated soils by the CFAIM,CFANIM and CFEM were significantly positively correlated with the N uptake by ryegrass. The FN obtained by the 3 methods was also closely positively correlated with the N uptake by ryegrass. The FN obtained by the 3 methods was also closely positively correlated with the plant N uptake. The contributions of the SMBN and mineral N and mineralized N during the incubation period to plant N uptake were evaluated with the multiple regression method. The results showed that the N contained in the soil microbial biomass might play a noticeable role in the N supply of the soils to the plant.     

Effects of biochar and fertilizer sources on nitrogen uptake by chilli pepper plants under Mediterranean climate

This study determined N uptake by serrano chilli pepper for two years and evaluated the effects of biochar amendment or organic N (org-N) fertilizer on N use under a Mediterranean climate. A field experiment was conducted using microplots from 2016 to 2017 in California, USA. Treatments included biochar amendment rates [0 (control), 10, 30 and 50 tons (t) ha⁻¹] biochar, all with 100% inorganic N fertilizer (165 kg N ha⁻¹), and org-N fertilizer applications at 50%, 75% and 100% of the total available N supply. Pepper yield, vegetative biomass, N uptake, ammonia (NH₃) volatilization and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), and nitrate were determined. Pepper yield was highest in the 50% org-N and lowest in the 50 t ha⁻¹ biochar treatment during the first year. There were no differences in fruit yield among the organic treatments during the second year, and all were higher than that from the control. The 100% org-N treatment had less NH₃ volatilization than all other treatments during the first year. The two-year results showed that chilli pepper plants sequestered 4.6‒6.1 kg N to produce one ton fresh pepper fruits. During the first year, the 50% org-N treatment resulted in the highest N productivity or yield with lowest projected N fertilizer application requirements as compared to other treatments although there were no differences among all treatments in the second year. Thus, a combination of inorganic and org-N fertilizers can be an effective strategy to improve soil N productivity in long-term management.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on selected soil processes

Nitrogen dioxide gas was rapidly absorbed by soil. After a 15 min incubation at 25°C, soil at a moisture content of 16% absorbed 99% of the NO₂ introduced into the gas-phase volume of a closed system. The presence of microorganisms hatl no influence on the rate of absorption of the gas by soil. The absorption of NO₂ by sandy clay loam soil was not an oxygen- or temperature-dependent process nor did it depend upon the moisture content of the soil. These physical factors acquired significance only in determining the initial rate of absorption of the gas and the rate at which NO₂ diffused through the soil. Exposure of soil to NO₂ resulted in substantial increases in the levels of NO _inf2 ^sup? N in the soil. Chemical oxidation of the NO _inf2 ^sup? N resulted in an increase in NO _inf3 ^sup? N levels. During a 14-day incubation, NO _inf2 ^sup? N concentrations in sterile soil exposed to an atmosphere containing 100 μg ml^?1 of NO₂ decreased from 190 μg g^?1 of soil to 105 μg g^?1 with an accompanying increase in NO _inf3 ^sup? N from 2 μg g^? ₁ to 63 μg g^?1 of soil. Nitrogen dioxide severely inhibited the growth of both aerobic and anaerobic asymbiotic N₂-fixing bacteria in soil. After a 48 h incubation at 25°C, soil aggregates exposed to an atmosphere containing 100 μg ml^?1 of NO₂ contained 88% and 98% fewer aerobic and anaerobic N₂-fixing bacteria, respectively. C₂H₂-reduction measurements showed that nitrogenase synthesis and activity in artificial soil aggregates amended with 2% glucose were inhibited by 20% and 48%, respectively, when exposed to atmospheric concentrations of 35 and 3.5 μg ml^?1 of NO₂, respectively.