Carbon transfer associated with assimilation of organic nitrogen sources by silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.)

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of heterotrophic carbon assimilation by mycorrhizal plants of birch (Betula pendula) were examined. Plants were grown aseptically from seed in the mycorrhizal condition with the fungus Hebeloma crustuliniforme and in the non-mycorrhizal condition, with protein as their sole exogenous nitrogen source. Yields and nitrogen contents were determined in some of the plants, while the roots of others were supplied with 14C-labelled protein and their shoots exposed for up to 72 h to different irradiance regimes. Only mycorrhizal plants utilised the organic nitrogen. Uptake of carbon associated with this utilisation and its translocation to the leaves was demonstrated directly by means of autoradiography. Amounts of activity transferred to shoots were greatest in low irradiance regimes. Calculation of net carbon gain from the heterotrophic source, based upon the assumption that breakdown products of protein are assimilated as amino-acids, indicates that over a 55-day growth period up to 9% of plant C may be derived from protein. The physiological and ecological significance of these findings are discussed.