Morphological and kinetic parameters of the absorption of nitrogen forms for selection of Eucalyptus clones

Abstract

Eucalyptus clones are selected according to productivity, wood quality, rooting capacity, and resistance to drought, frost and diseases. However, kinetic and morphological parameters that determine the absorption efficiency of nutrients such as nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) are often not considered in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological, physiological and kinetic parameters of nitrogen uptake by clones of Eucalyptus saligna (32,864) and Eucalyptus grandis (GPC 23). Morphological parameters in shoot and root systems, biomass and N concentrations in different organs, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence and photosynthetic rates were evaluated. Kinetic parameters, maximum absorption velocity (Vmax), Michaelis–Menten constant (Km), minimum concentration (Cmin) and influx (I) were calculated for NO3− and NH4+ in the two clones. E. grandis clone was more efficient in the uptake of NO3− and NH4+, and showed lower Km and Cmin values, allowing for the absorption of nitrogen at low concentrations due to the high affinity of the absorption sites of clone roots to NO3− and NH4+. Higher root lengths, area and volume helped the E. grandis clone in absorption efficiency and consequently, resulted in higher root and shoot biomass. The E. saligna clone had higher Km and Cmin for NO3− and NH4+, indicating adaptation to environments with higher N availability. The results of NO3− and NH4+ kinetic parameters indicate that they can be used in Eucalyptus clone selection and breeding programs as they can predict the ability of clones to absorb NO3− and NH4+ at different concentrations.