Ammonium and nitrate uptake rates and rhizosphere pH in non-mycorrhizal roots of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.

Abstract

Relationships between root zone temperature, concentrations and uptake rates of NH 4 + and NO 3 − were studied in non-mycorrhizal roots of 4-year-old Norway spruce under controlled environmental conditions. Additionally, in a forest stand NH 4 + and NO 3 − uptake rates along the root axis and changes in the rhizosphere pH were measured. In the concentration (Cmin) range of 100–150 μM uptake rates of NH 4 + were 3–4 times higher than those of NO 3 − The preference for NH 4 + uptake was also reflected in the minimum concentration (Cmin) values. Supplying NH4NO3, the rate of NO 3 − uptake was very low until the NH 4 + concentrations had fallen below about 100 μM. The shift from NH 4 + to NO 3 − uptake was correlated with a corresponding shift from net H+ production to net H+ consumption in the external solution. The uptake rates of NH 4 + were correlated with equimolar net production of H+. With NO 3 − nutrition net consumption of H+ was approximately twice as high as uptake rates of NO 3 − In the forest stand the NO 3 − concentration in the soil solution was more than 10 times higher than the NH 4 + concentration (<100 μM), and the rhizosphere pH of non-mycorrhizal roots considerably higher than the bulk soil pH. The rhizosphere pH increase was particularly evident in apical root zones where the rates of water and NO 3 − uptake and nitrate reductase activity were also higher. The results are summarized in a model of water and nutrient transport to, and uptake by, non-mycorrhizal roots of Norway spruce in a forest stand. Model calculations indicate that delivery to the roots by mass flow may meet most of the plant demand of nitrogen and calcium, and that non-mycorrhizal root tips have the potential to take up most of the delivered nitrate and calcium.