15N Recovery Research Articles

Recovery of 15N-urea 10 years after application to a Douglas-fir pole stand in coastal British Columbia

The long-term fate of fertilizer N in forest ecosystems is poorly understood even though such information is critical for designing better forest fertilization practices. We studied the distribution and recovery of 15N (4.934 atom% excess)-labelled fertilizer (applied as urea at 200 kg N ha −1) 10 years after application to a 38–39-year-old Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menzeisii (Mirb.) Franco) stand in coastal British Columbia. The urea was applied in the spring (May 1982) or fall (November 1982). Sampling was conducted in October 1992, and we found that after 10 years, there were few differences between the fall and spring fertilizer applications in total N and 15N distribution within the tree and forest ecosystem. On average total fertilizer-N recovery was 59.4%; about 14.5% of the applied-N was recovered in the trees including coarse roots, with foliage containing 41% of the labelled-N recovered in the aboveground tree biomass. Tissue 15N remained mobile and could be transferred to new growth. Soil recovery was 39.8%, which had decreased from 57.0% at a previous 1-year sampling, with an average loss of 3.0% per year from the mineral soil and 3.7% from the litter layers. However, it appears that there was little continuing tree uptake. While short-term effects of fall vs. spring urea application were previously reported, there were no long-term effects on either stand productivity or fertilizer use efficiency, suggesting that if fertilization is properly done, timing of fertilization is not a critical issue in terms of maximizing fertilizer use efficiency for the coastal Douglas-fir forest we studied. Our results also highlight the high capacity of this ecosystem to retain externally applied inorganic N over the long-term, the importance of maximizing nitrogen uptake in the first year, and also of the continuing need to develop new approaches to overcome the generally low efficiency of forest N fertilization.

Incorporation of Nitrogen‐15‐Labeled Amendments into Physically Separated Soil Organic Matter Fractions

Physically separated soil organic matter (SOM) fractions may take different functions in soil N dynamics. We studied the effect of long‐term organic matter (OM) management and different soil biological activity on the incorporation of N added with organic and mineral amendments into aggregate fractions and size density fractions. We applied 15N‐labeled sheep feces, urine, and mineral fertilizer to microplots installed in plots of conventional (CONMIN) and bio‐organic (BIOORG) cropping systems. Soil sampled 112 d after amendment was separated into macro‐, microaggregates, and microstructures. Aggregates were then fractionated into free light fraction (LF), intra‐aggregate particulate organic matter (iPOM), and the mineral‐associated organic matter fraction (MF). Of total soil N, 67% was contained in macroaggregates. Size density fractionation of aggregates revealed that about 60% of soil N was stored in MF while LF and iPOM contained together <3% of soil N. Despite long‐term OM input and higher soil biological activity in BIOORG than CONMIN the two soils did not differ in the distribution and content of N in aggregate and size density fractions. Recovery of 15N in nonfractionated soil ranged from 20% (SlurryF) to 25% (SlurryU) of originally applied 15N. The small macroaggregates were for each amendment the major sink (7–12% of applied 15N). In all aggregates and for all amendments, MF was the most important 15N sink, totally containing between 6.6% (SlurryF) to 11.6% (SlurryU) of applied 15N. Less than 1% of applied 15N was recovered in LF, and even less (<0.5%) in iPOM. The proportion of amendment‐derived N in aggregate fractions and in several size density fractions (LF, fine iPOM, MF) was higher for urine than for feces and mineral fertilizer. Recovery of urine‐derived 15N was greater in aggregate fractions of BIOORG than CONMIN soil. During dispersion of aggregates to obtain iPOM and MF, about 27% of total soil N and between 37 and 55% of 15N contained in non‐fractionated soil was lost, showing the importance of aggregation to protect N.

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Effects of N-application on utilization of 15N and 13C and quality in two wheat cultivars

We studied N uptake and distribution in wheat, and the incorporation of nitrogen and carbon into gluten and non-gluten proteins using a double-labelling approach with 15N and 13C. Doses of N-fertilizer were split and applied at emergence, onset of stem elongation, and heading at rates of 280/140/140 mg N pot−1, respectively simulating 90/45/45 kg N ha−1. Five different combinations of N-fertilizations containing no or 10 % 15N were performed. The recovery of 15N added at the stages emergence, stem elongation or heading were 42, 60, and 64 %. Application of 15N at all three stages yielded in 51 % recovery. Remobilisation of straw N was greater for Golia. The 15N concentration in gluten proteins of Golia show higher values than Gönen. The ratio of 15N gluten/15N non-gluten proteins of Golia were higher, which implies a lower non-gluten protein activity during grain filling. The 13C concentration in gluten and non-gluten proteins did not differ between both cultivars.

Effects of carbonized and dried chicken manures on the growth, yield, and N content of soybean

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen derived from dried or carbonized chicken manure on growth, nodulation, yield and N content of soybean. 15N labeled chicken manure used in this study was obtained from the droppings of chicken fed on hulled rice grown under field conditions and fertilized with 15N-labeled stable isotope ammonium sulphate and potassium nitrate fertilizers. Carbonized chicken manure was made by heat treatment in a muffle furnace in our laboratory. This study was conducted in pots filled with clay loam soil. Results from the study show that the application of carbonized chicken manure increased soybean seed yield by 23% and 43% for the 50 and 100 kg N ha−1 rates respectively. Dried chicken manure application increased soybean seed yield by 7% and 30% for the 50 and 100 kg N ha−1 rates respectively. There was no difference in the N manure yield of both manures when applied at the same rate. The percentage 15N recovery was 17.6% and 8.9% for carbonized chicken manure, 19.2% and 10.5% for dried chicken manure at 50 and 100 kg N ha−1 rates respectively at peak flowering stage of soybean growth. We found high total nitrogen yields of soybean at the rate of 100 kg N ha−1 for both manures. There was a positive relationship between number of nodules and seed yield of soybean. Total N content also showed positive relationship with number of nodules and seed yield of soybean. We supposed that the higher P content of carbonized chicken manure is responsible for the higher seed yield and nodule growth compared to dried chicken manure.

The vertical distribution of N and K uptake in relation to root distribution and root uptake capacity in mature Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies stands

We have measured the uptake capacity of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) from different soil depths by injecting 15N and caesium (Cs; as an analogue to K) at 5 and 50 cm soil depth and analysing the recovery of these markers in foliage and buds. The study was performed in monocultures of 40-year-old pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) located at an experimental site in Palsgard, Denmark. The markers were injected as a solution through plastic tubes around 20 trees of each species at either 5 or 50 cm soil depth in June 2003. After 65 days foliage and buds were harvested and the concentrations of 15N and Cs analysed. The recovery of 15N in the foliage and buds tended to be higher from 5 than 50 cm soil depth in oak whereas they where similar in spruce and beech after compensation for differences in immobilization of 15N in the soil. In oak more Cs was recovered from 5 than from 50 cm soil depth whereas in beech and spruce no difference could be detected. Out of the three investigated tree species, oak was found to have the lowest capacity to take up Cs at 50 cm soil depth compared to 5 cm soil depth also after compensating for differences in discrimination against Cs by the roots. The uptake capacity from 50 cm soil depth compared with 5 cm was higher than expected from the root distribution except for K in oak, which can probably be explained by a considerable overlap of the uptake zones around the roots and mycorrhizal hyphae in the topsoil. The study also shows that fine roots at different soil depths with different physiological properties can influence the nutrient uptake of trees. Estimates of fine root distribution alone may thus not reflect the nutrient uptake capacity of trees with sufficient accuracy. Our study shows that deep-rooted trees such as oak may have lower nutrient uptake capacity at deeper soil layers than more shallow-rooted trees such as spruce, as we found no evidence that deep-rooted trees obtained proportionally more nutrients from deeper soil layers. This has implications for models of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems that use the distribution of roots as the sole criterion for predicting uptake of nutrients from different soil depths.

Light affects competition for inorganic and organic nitrogen between maize and rhizosphere microorganisms

Effects of light on the short term competition for organic and inorganic nitrogen between maize and rhizosphere microorganisms were investigated using a mixture of amino acid, ammonium and nitrate under controlled conditions. The amount and forms of N added in the three treatments was identical, but only one of the three N forms was labeled with 15N. Glycine was additionally labeled with 14C to prove its uptake by maize and incorporation into microbial biomass in an intact form. Maize out-competed microorganisms for $$^{15} {\text{NO}}_3^ - $$ during the whole experiment under low and high light intensity. Microbial uptake of 15N and 14C was not directly influenced by the light intensity, but was indirectly related to the impact the light intensity had on the plant. More $$^{15} {\text{NH}}_4^ + $$ was recovered in microbial biomass than in plants in the initial 4 h under the two light intensities, although more 15N-glycine was incorporated into microbial biomass than in plants in the initial 4 h under low light intensity. Light had a significant effect on $$^{15} {\text{NO}}_3^ - $$ uptake by maize, but no significant effects on the uptake of $$^{15} {\text{NH}}_4^ + $$ or 15N-glycine. High light intensity significantly increased plant uptake of $$^{15} {\text{NO}}_3^ - $$ and glycine 14C. Based on 14C to 15N recovery ratios of plants, intact glycine contributed at least 13% to glycine-derived nitrogen 4 h after tracer additions, but it contributed only 0.5% to total nitrogen uptake. These findings suggest that light intensity alters the competitive relationship between maize roots and rhizosphere microorganisms and that C4 cereals such as maize are able to access small amounts of intact glycine. We conclude that roots were stronger competitor than microorganisms for inorganic N, but microorganisms out competed plants during a short period for organic N, which was mineralized into inorganic N within a few hours of application to the soil and was thereafter available for root uptake.

13C and 15N stabilization dynamics in soil organic matter fractions during needle and fine root decomposition

Little is known about how the chemical composition of plant litter affects the amount and nature of C and N stabilized as soil organic matter (SOM). We examined the fate of dual labeled 13C and 15N Ponderosa pine fine roots (<2 mm) and needles decomposing for 2 yr in situ in a temperate conifer forest soil in the Sierra Nevada, CA, USA. We compared the distribution and stabilization of litter derived C and N in four SOM pools using a density fractionation procedure followed by an alkaline extraction of the dense fraction into fulvic, humic, and humin fractions. The C turnover times (estimated with natural abundance 14C) of these SOM fractions were distinct and ranged from 5 yr (light fraction) to 260 yr (insoluble humin). Input of C as roots resulted in 28% more total C retained in soil when compared to inputs as needles. Twice as much root 13C was present in the particulate soil (>2 mm) than for needles, while bulk soil (<2 mm) 13C and 15N recoveries were similar between litters. SOM fractions provided greater sensitivity than bulk soil and showed significant differences between litters in both the amount and chemical composition of 13C and 15N compounds recovered within SOM fractions. More needle 13C was retained in humic and humin fractions than was 13C from roots. The chemical composition of stabilized organic molecules differed fundamentally between needle and root sources within the dense fraction SOM pools, especially during the first year. Root inputs were stabilized predominately as N-rich biomolecules in the humic and humin fractions, while needles contributed C-rich biomolecules to these dense fraction SOM pools. The large pulse of C-rich compounds from the more labile needles recovered in the humic and humin fractions did not persist after 1.5 yr, suggesting that low C:N ratio compounds derived from decomposing litters may stabilize more strongly and persist within the dense fraction SOM pools. The fundamental differences in C and N pathways during decomposition and stabilization of below ground (root) and above ground (needle) litters suggest that shifts in plant C allocation may influence the long term stability of plant-derived C in soil.

Fertilizer 15N recovery in cereal crops and soil under shallow tillage

We examined the effect of tillage system on crop recovery of soil and fertilizer N. 15N-labelled ammonium nitrate was applied in the spring to small confined plots at five experimental sites where shallow tillage (ST) and mouldboard ploughing (MP) had been practised for up to 36 years. Winter wheat was grown on three sites and spring barley on the other two. Grain yields were similar under ST and MP at all sites, and total N uptake was similar under MP and ST at four of the five sites. Grain and straw recovered 59–64% of the applied 15N fertilizer except at the most sandy site where crop recovery was 37% (ST) and 44% (MP). At two sites, crop 15N recovery was lower under ST despite similar total N uptake for the two tillage systems. Recovery of 15N in crop and soil was 74–75% at the most sandy site and 86–92% at the other sites. Conversion from MP to ST tillage appeared to have little influence on the fertilizer N balance at each site.

ATMOSPHERIC CO2AND O3ALTER THE FLOW OF15N IN DEVELOPING FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

Anthropogenic O3 and CO2-induced declines in soil N availability could counteract greater plant growth in a CO2-enriched atmosphere, thereby reducing net primary productivity (NPP) and the potential of terrestrial ecosystems to sequester anthropogenic CO2. Presently, it is uncertain how increasing atmospheric CO2 and O3 will alter plant N demand and the acquisition of soil N by plants as well as the microbial supply of N from soil organic matter. To address this uncertainty, we initiated an ecosystem-level 15N tracer experiment at the Rhinelander (Wisconsin, USA) free air CO2-O3 enrichment (FACE) facility to understand how projected increases in atmospheric CO2 and 03 alter the distribution and flow of N in developing northern temperate forests. Tracer amounts of 15NH4+ were applied to the forest floor of developing Populus tremuloides and P. tremuloides-Betula papyrifera communities that have been exposed to factorial CO2 and O3 treatments for seven years. One year after isotope addition, both forest communities exposed to elevated CO2 obtained greater amounts of 15N (29%) and N (40%) from soil, despite no change in soil N availability or plant N-use efficiency. As such, elevated CO2 increased the ability of plants to exploit soil for N, through the development of a larger root system. Conversely, elevated O3 decreased the amount of 15N (-15%) and N (-29%) in both communities, a response resulting from lower rates of photosynthesis, decreases in growth, and smaller root systems that acquired less soil N. Neither CO2 nor 03 altered the amount of N or 15N recovery in the forest floor, microbial biomass, or soil organic matter. Moreover, we observed no interaction between CO2 and 03 on the amount of N or 15N in any ecosystem pool, suggesting that 03 could exert a negative effect regardless of CO2 concentration. In a CO2-enriched atmosphere, greater belowground growth and a more thorough exploitation of soil for growth-limiting N is an important mechanism sustaining the enhancement of NPP in developing forests (0-8 years following establishment). However, as CO2 accumulates in the Earth's atmosphere, future O3 concentrations threaten to diminish the enhancement of plant growth, decrease plant N acquisition, and lessen the storage of anthropogenic C in temperate forests.

Growth, development, and fertilizer-15N recovery by the coffee plant

The relationship between growth and fertilizer nitrogen recovery by perenial crops such as coffee is poorly understood and improved understanding of such relations is important for the establishment of rational crop management practices. In order to characterize the growth of a typical coffee crop in Brazil and quantify the recovery of 15N labeled ammonium sulfate, and improve information for fertilizer management practices this study presents results for two consecutive cropping years, fertilized with 280 and 350 kg ha-1 of N, respectively, applied in four splittings, using five replicates. Shoot dry matter accumulation was evaluated every 60 days, separating plants into branches, leaves and fruits. Labeled sub-plots were used to evaluate N-total and 15N abundance by mass spectrometry. During the first year the aerial part reached a recovery of 71% of the fertilizer N applied up to February, but this value was reduced to 34% at harvest and 19% at the beginning of the next flowering period due to leaf fall and fruit export. For the second year the aerial part absorbed 36% of the fertilizer N up to March, 47% up to harvest and 19% up to the beginning of the next flowering period. The splitting into four applications of the used fertilizer rates was adequate for the requirements of the crop at these growth stages of the coffee crop.

Interaction between nitrogen and sulfur by foliar application and its effects on flour bread‐making quality

AbstractBACKGROUND: Optimization of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) nutrition of wheat influences the bread‐making quality of grain. This study was conducted to determine whether the application of N and S in winter wheat at anthesis stage during two field trials could influence the absorption and distribution of N and S in grain and flour bread‐making qualityRESULTS: The incorporation of 15N and 34S tracers in various plant parts (leaves, stems, spikes) was determined by isotopic ratio mass spectrometry coupled with an elemental analyser (EA‐IRMS). The effects of foliar fertilization on percentage of 15N and 34S recovery in various plant parts, grain yield, flour protein content, and dough properties were investigated after a combination of treatments: N (urea), S (micronized elemental S) and NS (both urea and micronized elemental S). Nitrogen (70–80%) and S (35–55%) were quickly assimilated during the days following application. Sixty days after application, 42–68% N and 6–12% S were recovered in the grain. When N and S fertilizers were applied simultaneously, N and S recoveries (68% and 12%), N/S ratios (11–14), flour protein content (115 g kg−1) and dough strength (310 × 10−4 J), swelling (21.8 mmH2O) and extensibility (96.4 mm) were increased.CONCLUSION: A synergistic effect between the foliar applied N and S fertilizers appears to increase N and S assimilation in grain and may improve bread‐making qualities. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Produtividade da cana-de-açúcar relacionada à localização de adubos nitrogenados aplicados sobre os resíduos culturais em canavial sem queima

O conhecimento agronômico a respeito do manejo adequado de canaviais sem queima da palha, ainda é limitado, principalmente, no que se refere à adubação nitrogenada. O experimento foi desenvolvido em campo, com o objetivo de avaliar a produtividade e o balanço de 15N-fertilizantes no sistema solo-planta-palha e a perda de NH3 por volatilização, em soqueira colhida mecanicamente sem queima, comparando-se a localização de fontes nitrogenadas aplicadas em superfície. O cultivar de cana-de-açúcar foi o SP81-3250. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completos inteiramente casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de quatro fontes de N: nitrato de amônio (NA), sulfato de amônio (SA), uréia (U) e uran (UA), na dose de 70 kg ha-1 de N, com aplicação sobre a palha em área total ou em faixa, dos dois lados da linha da soqueira. Nas parcelas que receberam SA e U foram instaladas microparcelas, com os fertilizantes marcados em 15N. As fontes nitrogenadas U e UA, que contêm N na forma amídica, apresentaram as maiores perdas de amônia por volatilização, especialmente quando aplicadas em faixa. As perdas de N por volatilização causaram redução na produtividade da cana-de-açúcar, porém a localização dos fertilizantes nitrogenados não influenciou a produtividade de cana. Independentemente da localização das fontes nitrogenadas, a recuperação do 15N pela cana-de-açúcar da fonte SA foi o dobro em relação à da U. A recuperação no sistema solo-planta-palha para SA e U foi de 74 e 55 %, respectivamente.

Marcação de fitomassa de cana-de-açúcar com aplicação de solução de uréia marcada com15N

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar três métodos de aplicação de solução de uréia marcada com15N (15N-uréia ): pulverização foliar, injeção na base do colmo e imersão radicular, a fim de se definir qual seria o mais eficiente na marcação de fitomassa de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi instalado na Estação Experimental Apta - Pólo Regional Centro Sul, em Piracicaba, SP. A cana-de-açúcar, variedade SP80 3280, foi plantada em vasos preenchidos com aproximadamente 120 dm³ de Neossolo Quartzarênico de textura arenosa. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. A fitomassa de cana-de-açúcar dos três tratamentos, no 11º mês de desenvolvimento, não diferiu estatisticamente, e suas abundâncias de 15N foram superiores à natural, tendo-se verificado a seguinte ordem decrescente de marcação com 15N: parte aérea &gt; rizoma &gt; rizomas+raízes na camada de 0,0-0,2 m &gt; raízes na camada de 0,2-0,4 m &gt; raízes em profundidade maior que 0,4 m. Entre os métodos de aplicação de 15N-uréia, a injeção na base de colmos é o de mais fácil execução, o mais efetivo na marcação da fitomassa e o que apresentou a maior recuperação do traçador (96%). A aplicação foliar é comparável à injeção, somente na marcação e na recuperação do traçador no sistema radicular.

Assimilation dynamics of soil carbon and nitrogen by wheat roots and Collembola

It has been demonstrated that plant roots can take up small amounts of low-molecular weight (LMW) compounds from the surrounding soil. Root uptake of LMW compounds have been investigated by applying isotopically labelled sugars or amino acids but not labelled organic matter. We tested whether wheat roots took up LMW compounds released from dual-labelled (13C and 15N) green manure by analysing for excess 13C in roots. To estimate the fraction of green manure C that potentially was available for root uptake, excess 13C and 15N in the primary decomposers was estimated by analysing soil dwelling Collembola that primarily feed on fungi or microfauna. The experimental setup consisted of soil microcosm with wheat and dual-labelled green manure additions. Plant growth, plant N and recoveries of 13C and 15N in soil, roots, shoots and Collembola were measured at 27, 56 and 84 days. We found a small (<1%) but significant uptake of green manure derived 13C in roots at the first but not the two last samplings. About 50% of green manure C was not recovered from the soil-plant system at 27 days and additional 8% was not recovered at 84 days. Up to 23% of C in collembolans derived from the green manure at 56 days (the 27 days sampling was lost). Using a linear mixing model we estimated that roots or root effluxes provided the main C source for collembolans (54−79%). We conclude that there is no solid support for claiming that roots assimilated green manure derived C due to very small or no recoveries of excess 13C in wheat roots. During the incubation the pool of green manure derived C available for root uptake decreased due to decomposition. However, the isotopic composition in Collembola indicated that there was a considerable fraction of green manure derived C in the decomposer system at 56 days thus supporting the premise that LMW compounds containing C from the green manure was released throughout the incubation.

Influence of irrigation system and fertilization management on seasonal distribution of N in the soil profile and on N-uptake by citrus trees

Understanding the fate of nitrogen (N) in agricultural soils as affected by crop N uptake is important in order to develop management practices that maximize nitrogen uptake efficiency by minimizing N losses. The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of two different N-management techniques, low frequency of N application combined with flood irrigation (LFFI) and high frequency of N application with drip irrigation (HFDI), on the seasonal dynamics of fertilizer-N in the soil profile and N-uptake by citrus. Eight-year old citrus trees were cultivated in lysimeters containing 3.5 m 3 sandy-loam texture soil and fertilized with 15N enriched (%) potassium nitrate. Throughout the vegetative cycle, the initial accumulation of NO 3-N from fertilizer in the surface layers of the soil leached towards deeper layers later on, under LFFI and HFDI treatments. This movement of NO 3 − in soil profile was lower under HFDI than in LFFI. At the end of the trial, total 15N recovery in the plant–soil system was 92.3 and 85.4% for drip and flood irrigation, respectively. Whole tree N-use efficiency was significantly higher under HFDI (75.1%) than under LFFI (62.7%). The amount of N retained as NO 3- 15N in the soil profile was significantly greater under flood irrigation (7.1%) than under drip irrigation (0.9%). Nevertheless, no significant differences appeared in the amount of organic- 15N for both treatments. Improved management of fertilizer and irrigation thus contributed to enhance N uptake efficiency and reduced potential nitrate leaching. Appropriate use of fertigation under drip irrigation thus may facilitate more efficient use of both water and nutrients and could be part of Best Management Practices (BMP) for citrus.

Defoliation, nitrogen, and competition: effects on plant growth and resource allocation of Cleistogenes squarrosa and Artemisia frigida

AbstractTwo species, Artemisia frigida Willd. (C3, semishrub, and dominant on overgrazed sites) and Cleistogenes squarrosa (Trin.) Keng (C4, perennial bunchgrass, and dominant or codominant on moderately grazed sites) were studied to determine the effects of defoliation, nitrogen (N) availability, competition, and their interactions on growth, biomass, and N allocation in a greenhouse experiment. The main treatments were: two nitrogen levels (N0 = 0 mg N pot–1, N1 = 60 mg N pot–1), two defoliation intensities (removing 60% of total aboveground biomass and no defoliation), and three competitive replacement series (monocultures of each species and mixtures at 0.5:0.5). Our results were inconsistent with our hypothesis on the adaptive mechanisms of A. frigida regarding the interactive effects of herbivory, N, and competition in determining its dominant position on overgrazed sites. Cleistogenes squarrosa will be replaced by A. frigida on overgrazed sites, although C. squarrosa had higher tolerance to defoliation than did A. frigida. Total biomass and N yield and 15N recovery of C. squarrosa in mixed culture were consistently lower than in monocultures, whereas those of A. frigida grown in mixtures were consistently higher than in monocultures, suggesting higher competitive ability of A. frigida. Our results suggest that interspecific competitive ability may be of equal or greater importance than herbivory tolerance in determining herbivore‐induced species replacement in semi‐arid Inner Mongolian steppe. In addition, the dominance of A. frigida on overgrazed sites has been attributed to its ability to shift plant‐plant interactions through gap colonization, root niche differentiation, and higher resistance to water stress.

Acúmulo de nutrientes e destino do nitrogênio (15N) aplicado em pomar jovem de laranjeira

Informações sobre absorção de nutrientes em pomares cítricos são importantes para recomendações do manejo da fertilidade do solo. Contudo, estudos sobre a distribuição dos nutrientes na planta e a validação das doses de nitrogênio (N) recomendadas são escassos na literatura brasileira. O presente trabalho avaliou (i) o acúmulo de nutrientes e a distribuição do N (15N) aplicado em citros e (ii) validou a dose de N recomendada para pomares em início de produção. Em laranjeiras 'Pêra' sobre limoeiro 'Cravo', com 3 a 4 anos de idade, foram aplicadas doses de 150; 300; 450 e 600 g de N por planta, como sulfato de amônio, divididas em três parcelas, entre a primavera e o verão. Incluiu-se um tratamento-testemunha sem N. No mesmo pomar, em outras três plantas, aplicaram-se 300 g por planta de N-[(15NH4)2SO 4)] enriquecido em 15N, para estudar o destino do N do fertilizante no pomar. Foram avaliadas a produção de frutos e o aproveitamento do 15N pela biomassa da planta. A eficiência do fertilizante, estimada com base na absorção de N pela planta, variou entre 20% e 27% do total aplicado. Os frutos exportaram 35% do N absorvido do fertilizante, e a dose de 400 g de N proporcionou a máxima produção de laranjas.

Araucaria cunninghamii Seedling Response to Different Forms and Rates of 15N-Labelled Fertiliser

ABSTRACT Nitrogenous fertilisers are under consideration for promoting the growth of nursery-reared hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex A. Cunn) seedlings in the establishment phase of second rotation (2R) plantations. Using 15N-labelled fertilisers, we investigated the effect of different forms (ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and urea) and rates of application (0, 150 and 300 mg N kg−1 dried soil) of fertilisers on the growth, 15N recovery and carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of hoop pine seedlings in a 12-month glasshouse trial in southeast Queensland, Australia. The 15N-labelled fertilisers were applied to nursery-reared hoop pine seedlings, which were then grown in pots, containing ca. 1.2 kg dried soil, under well watered conditions for 12 months. Four seedlings from each treatment were harvested at 4-month intervals, divided into roots, stem and foliage, with a further subdivision for new and old foliage, and then analysed for 15N, total N, δ13C and total C. There was no significant response in the seedling growth to the form or rate of application of nitrogen (N) fertiliser within the 12-month period, indicating that the seedlings did not experience N deficiency when grown on second rotation hoop pine soils. While the combined 15N recovery from soil and plant remained at around 70% throughout the experiment, the proportion of 15N recovered from the plants increasing steadily over time. Nitrate containing fertilisers at 150 mg N kg−1 soil gradually increased seedling foliage δ13C over the 12-month period, indicating an increase in seedling water use efficiency.

Effects of fertigation scheme on N uptake and N use efficiency in cotton

While fertigation can increase fertilizer use efficiency, there is an uncertainly as to whether the fertilizer should be introduced at the beginning of the irrigation or at the end, or introduced during irrigation. Our objective was to determine the effect of different fertigation schemes on nitrogen (N) uptake and N use efficiency (NUE) in cotton plants. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in year 2004 and 2005. According to the application timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer solution and water (W) involved in an irrigation cycle, four nitrogen fertigation schemes [nitrogen applied at the beginning of the irrigation cycle (N–W), nitrogen applied at the end of the irrigation cycle (W–N), nitrogen applied in the middle of the irrigation cycle (W–N–W) and nitrogen applied throughout the irrigation cycle (N&W)] were employed in a completely randomized design with four replications. Cotton was grown in plastic containers with a volume of 84 l, which were filled with a clay loam soil and fertilized with 6.4 g of N per pot as unlabeled and 15N-labeled urea for 2004 and 2005, respectively. Plant total dry matter (DM) and N content in N–W was significantly higher than in N&W in both seasons, but these were not consistent for W–N and W–N–W treatments. In year 2005, a significantly higher nitrogen derived from fertilizer (NDFF) for the whole plant was found in W–N and N–W than that in W–N–W and N&W. Fertigation scheme had a consistent effect on total NUE: N–W had the highest NUE for the whole plant, but this was not significantly different from W–N. Treatments W–N and W–N–W had similar total NUE, and N&W had the lowest total NUE. After harvesting, the total residual fertilizer N in the soil was highest in W–N, lowest in N–W, but this was not significantly different from N&W and W–N–W treatments. Total residual NO3–N in the soil in N&W and W–N treatments was 20.7 and 21.2% higher than that in N–W, respectively. The total 15N recovery was not statistically significant between the four fertigation schemes. In this study, the fertigation scheme N–W (nitrogen applied at the beginning of an irrigation cycle) increased DM accumulation, N uptake and NUE of cotton. This study indicates that Nitrogen application at the beginning of an irrigation cycle has an advantage on N uptake and NUE of cotton. Therefore, NUE could be enhanced by optimizing fertilization schemes with drip irrigation.