Dry Mass Partitioning Research Articles

Managing Citrus Trees to Optimize Dry Mass and Nutrient Partitioning#

Non‐bearing “Hamlin” orange trees on “Swingle citrumelo” rootstock (32 months‐old) grown on a Candler fine sand (hyperthermic, coated Typic Quartzipsamments) were harvested to estimate dry mass, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) accumulation and partitioning into various parts of the tree. The above parameters were evaluated for trees grown under low or high fertilization rates, using either water soluble granular (WSG), controlled release formulation (CRF), or liquid fertilizer delivered through irrigation water, i.e., fertigation (FRT). Trees were irrigated using under tree sprinklers with a wetting area diameter of 3.0 m. Total dry mass per tree followed the order: CRF > FRT = WSG and FRT > CRF > WSG for the low and high fertilization rates, respectively. Effects of fertilizer source on dry mass of individual tree parts followed the above response pattern with few exceptions. Dry mass of tree parts in relation to total tree dry mass decreased in the order: trunk > branch > leaves > roots. Therefore, the woody portion of the tree represented the major proportion of tree dry mass. Total N content in trees varied from 28.4 to 50.4 g and 41.4 to 82.3 g with different fertilizer sources at the low and high fertilization rates, respectively. The tree total N content decreased in the order: CRF > FRT > WSG and FRT > CRF > WSG at the low and high fertilization rates, respectively. Nitrogen in the leaves represented the major proportion of tree N, regardless of N source or fertilization rate. Total K content of the tree was slightly lower than total N content. Effects of fertilization source on total K content was similar to that of total N content. Total P content in trees was considerably lower than that of either N or K content. Fertilization sources and rates had negligible effects on the P content. #The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the funding agencies, nor an endorsement of any registered product.

Dry mass production and leaf area development of field-grown ornamental conifers: measurements and simulation

A dynamic simulation model of dry mass (DM) production and leaf area index (LAI) development in ornamental conifers, CONGRO, was developed. The concept of a constant radiation use efficiency (RUE) was combined with a model for radiation interception by row crops. A field trial was used to calibrate RUE, DM partitioning and the specific leaf area (SLA). LAI increase was simulated through leaf dry mass increase and SLA. Ten independent trials (1991–1999) were used for validation. Predicted aboveground DM agreed well with measured data ( R 2=0.94) with a standard error of the regression of 149 g m −2. Predicted LAI agreed less with experimental field data ( R 2=0.90), standard error of the regression was 0.312 m 2 m −2. Sensitivity analysis showed a large positive sometimes more than proportional effect of RUE, SLA and partitioning into the leaf dry mass on simulated total DM, LDM, LAI and intercepted radiation.

Interaction of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition in determining growth

In this paper we discuss the differences and similarities in the growth response of tomato plants to N and P limitation, and to their interaction. Two detailed growth experiments, with varied N or P supply, were conducted in order to unravel the effects of N and P limitation on growth of young tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Relative growth rate (RGR) initially increased sharply with increasing plant P concentration but leveled off at higher plant P concentrations. In contrast, RGR increased gradually with increasing plant N concentration before it leveled off at higher plant N concentrations. The relationship of RGR with organic leaf N and P showed the same shape as with total N and P concentrations, respectively. The difference in response is most likely due to the different roles of N and P in the machinery of the plant's energy metabolism (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration). Plant N concentration decreased with increasing P limitation. We show that this decrease cannot be explained by a shift in dry-mass partitioning. Our results suggest that the decrease in N concentration with increasing P limitation may be mediated by a decrease in leaf cytokinin levels and is less likely due to decreased energy availability at low P conditions. Dry-mass partitioning to the roots was closely linearly related to the leaf reduced-N concentration. However, treatments that were severely P limited deviated from this relationship.

Interactive effects of nitrogen and irradiance on growth and partitioning of dry mass and nitrogen in young tomato plants.

The interactive effects of irradiance and N on growth of young tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were studied. Plants were grown at 70 or 300 μmol photons m-2 s-1, hereafter referred to as 'low' and 'high' irradiance, and at a range of exponential N supply rates (70-370 mg g-1 d-1) or at a constant concentration in the nutrient solution of 12 mM NO3-. At both irradiance levels, leaf area ratio was more important than net assimilation rate (NAR) in explaining effects of N on growth at mild N limitation. However, at severe N limitation, NAR became the most important parameter, as indicated by calculated growth response coefficients. Furthermore, this study shows that N supply and growth irradiance interacted strongly. The decrease of specific leaf area with increasing N limitation and increasing growth irradiance correlated with increasing leaf dry mass percentage and starch concentration. Furthermore, at low irradiance, plants partitioned more dry mass to the stem. Dry mass partitioning to roots increased with decreasing plant N concentration, and this relation appeared to be independent of irradiance. Shading increased plant N concentration and decreased dry mass partitioning to roots. Also, the relationship between plant N concentration and N partitioning to different plant organs was largely independent of growth irradiance.

Yield, Dry Matter Partitioning, and Storage Quality of Hardneck Garlic as Affected by Soil Amendments and Scape Removal

Two on-farm field studies were conducted in 1996 and repeated in 1997 to determine the effects of soil amendments and scape (flower stalk) removal on yield, dry matter partitioning, and storage quality of hardneck garlic (Allium sativum L.). One study site was on a loamy sand soil with low organic matter and fertility and the other site was on a sandy loam soil with high organic matter and fertility. Soil amendment treatments tested at both sites were: 1) no amendment, 2) composted manure, and 3) inorganic fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. A fourth treatment, dried, composted turkey-manure-based fertilizer, was included at the low organic matter site. Scapes were removed at the curled stage from plants in half of the harvest rows. Scapes from the remainder of the harvest row plants were allowed to mature until harvest. In 1997, bulbs from each treatment were stored at 0 to 3 °C or 19 to 21 °C for 6 months. Soil amendment treatments had no effect on total garlic bulb yield, dry mass partitioning, or stored bulb weight loss at the sandy loam, high organic matter site. Manure compost, fertilizer, and composted turkey manure soil amendments reduced the yield of smaller bulbs compared with the control at the loamy sand, low organic matter site. The proportion of bulbs >5 cm was highest with the manure compost treatment. At the low organic matter site, scape removal resulted in a 15% increase in bulb yield and an increase in bulb size compared with leaving scapes on until harvest (P = 0.05). At the high organic matter site, scape removal increased bulb yield by 5% (P = 0.10). Scape removal increased dry matter partitioning to the bulbs, but had no effect on total (scape + shoot + bulb) aboveground dry matter production. The increase in bulb dry mass when scapes were removed was offset by an increase in scape dry mass when scapes were left on. Bulb weight loss in storage was less at 0 to 3 °C than 19 to 21 °C. Soil amendments only affected bulb storage quality at the loamy sand, low soil organic matter site. The effect of scape removal on bulb weight loss was nonsignificant at either location.

Effects of plant population density and cultivar on growth, yield and yield components in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea 1.)

An experiment was conducted at the University of Queensland Redland bay Farm (27°37′ S, 153°17′ E) in southeast Queensland, Australia to study response of groundnut cultivars [Improved Virginia Bunch, NC-7, Q18801 (Virginia types), TMV-2, McCubbin and Red Spanish (Spanish types)] to different plant population densities (6.3, 11.1, 25.0 and 100.0) arranged in square spacings. The objective was to study plant physiological and morphological characteristics associated with the optimum plant population density among groundnut cul- tivars. Leaf area index (LAI), interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), total dry mass (TDM), dry mass (DM) partitioning, economic yield and yield components were measured. The results show that TDM and economic yield were both maximized at 25 plants m−2 in all cultivars and so were the radiation use efficiency (Ec), crop growth rate (CGR) and DM partitioning'toTeproductive components (pods and kernels). Overall, variation in economic yield (kernel DM) was determined by pod harvest index (HI), kernel HI, ratio of pod to peg plus pod number, kernel number per pod and kernel size. Most of these components were maximized at the optimum plant population density.

Growth and physiology of Picea abies populations from elevational transects: common garden evidence for altitudinal ecotypes and cold adaptation

1. There are conflicting reports concerning the adaptive features of tree populations originating from cold, high‐altitude environments. We hypothesize that such trees will possess adaptive features that will be demonstrated in a common environment, such as elevated rates of net CO2 exchange, elevated needle nitrogen concentration and high proportional biomass allocation to roots. To test this hypothesis we measured tree and seed properties of 54 populations of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] located along eight altitudinal transects (from c.600 to 1500m) in southern Poland. We also measured growth, biomass partitioning, net photosynthetic capacity (Amax), needle dark respiration (RS) and carbohydrate, nitrogen (N) and chlorophyll concentration of seedlings originating from these populations grown for 2 to 7 years in a common garden at 150m elevation. Measured in situ along the elevational transects, there were linear declines in seed mass, average d.b.h. and height growth increment of seed trees with increased altitude or lower mean annual temperature. 2. In the common garden, the Norway spruce populations from colder, high‐altitude habitats had higher N concentration in needles than those from low altitudes. Both Amax and needle RS increased with altitude of seed origin and were significantly related to needle N concentration. High‐altitude populations also had higher concentrations of chlorophyll and carotene than those from low elevations. Despite higher photosynthetic rates in high‐altitude populations, seedling height and dry mass in the common garden declined with altitude of seed origin. Proportional dry mass partitioning to roots nearly doubled with increasing altitude of origin, while the length of the shoot‐growth period was reduced. The high respiration rates, high allocation to roots and reduced shoot‐growth period are probably responsible for the low growth rate potential of high‐altitude populations, more than offsetting their higher photosynthetic rates. 3. The results of this study showed that Norway spruce populations from cold mountain environments are characterized by several potentially adaptive features. Because these were similar to conifer population responses along a latitudinal gradient of origin, they are probably driven by climate. These climate‐driven differences were common to all transects: for a given altitude or mean annual temperature, plant traits were independent of mountain range of origin. However, populations originating from cold high‐elevation sites often differed per unit change in altitude or mean annual temperature more than did low elevation populations. The scaling of nitrogen, CO2 exchange and biomass and allocation patterns may be useful in modelling Norway spruce response on montane forest ecosystems under changing environments.

Influence of Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Micropropagated Guava Plantlets (Psidium guajava L.) during Acclimatization and Plant Establishment

The effect of mycorrhizal fungi on growth and nutrient uptake during acclimatization and plant establishment of micropropagated guava plantlets (Psidium guajava L. cv. Media China) was determined. Half of the plantlets were inoculated with the endomycorrhizae isolate ZAC-19 and grown in a glasshouse for 18 weeks. The isolate ZAC-19 was collected from the Chihuahuan Desert in Zacatecas State, Mexico, and is a mixed isolate containing Glomus etunicatum and unknown Glomus spp. Plantlets were fertilized with modified Long Ashton nutrient solution containing 11 μg P/ml. Shoot length, leaf area, leaf number, and dry mass partitioning were positively affected by mycorrhizae compared to noninoculated plantlets; however, noninoculated plantlets had greater leaf area ratios and specific leaf area. Mycorrhizal plantlets generally had increased leaf tissue mineral levels, particularly P, Mg, Cu, and Mo. However, noncolonized plantlets had higher N, K, and Mn. At the end of the experiment, roots of inoculated guava plantlets had colonization levels of 94.3%.

Plastic Mulch Color Effects on Light Micro-environment and Watermelon Plant Growth

This study was conducted to evaluate the spectral properties of various colored plastic color mulches and to determine the effects of upwardly reflected light from the mulch surfaces on watermelon plant growth when differences in root zone temperatures are minimized. Two-week-old watermelon plants were grown with black mulch, red-painted mulch, SRM-Red mulch (Sonoco, Inc., Harstville, S.C.), and white mulch. Total light reflection (58 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) and red: far-red (R:FR = 0.44) of reflected light were lower in black mulch and highest in white mulch (634 and 0.92, respectively). Both black mulch and white mulch had same blue:red (B:R = 0.6) while white mulch had higher B:FR (0.58) in reflected light compared to black mulch (0.26). Reflective properties of red mulches were somewhat similar, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.8, 0.2, and 0.18, respectively. However, SRM-Red mulch had highest total light (355 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) transmission through the mulch, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.84, 0.28, and 0.23, respectively. Light transmission through the other mulches was nonsignificant. Watermelon plants grown with black mulch and red mulches had higher internode lengths compared to white mulch after 20 days. Further, plants grown under black had significant higher petiole elongation accompanied with higher dry mass partitioning to petioles, and lower partitioning to roots, stems, and leaves. There was no effects of surface mulch color on total plant dry mass or photosynthesis although plants with black had higher transpiration rate. This suggests the differential regulation of dry mass partitioning among plant parts due to mulch color. The similar plant responses with black mulch and white mulch to plants treated with FR or R light at the end of photoperiod implies the involvement of phytochrome regulation of growth due to mulch surface color.

Photosynthetic capacity and dry mass partitioning in dwarf and semi-dwarf wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)

Efficient use of space and high yields are critical for long-term food production aboard the International Space Station. The selection of a full dwarf wheat (less than 30 cm tall) with high photosynthetic and yield potential is a necessary prerequisite for growing wheat in the controlled, volume-limited environments available aboard long-term spaceflight missions. This study evaluated the photosynthetic capacity and carbon partitioning of a full-dwarf wheat cultivar, Super Dwarf, which is routinely used in spaceflight studies aboard U.S. space shuttle and NASA/Mir missions and made comparisons with other dwarf and semi-dwarf wheat cultivars utilized in other ground-based studies in plant space biology. Photosynthetic capacity of the flag leaf in two dwarf (Super Dwarf, BB-19), and three semi-dwarf (Veery-10, Yecora Rojo, IBWSN 199) wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) was assessed by measuring: net maximum photosynthetic rate, RuBP carboxylation efficiency, chlorophyll concentration and flag leaf area. Dry mass partitioning of carbohydrates to the leaves, sheaths, stems and ear was also assessed. Plants were grown under controlled environmental conditions in three replicate studies: slightly enriched CO2 (370 micromoles mol-1), high photosynthetic photon flux (1000 micromoles m-2 s-1; 58 mol m-2 d-1) for a 16 h photoperiod, 22/15 degrees C day/night temperatures, ample nutrients and water provided by one-half strength Hoagland's nutrient solution (Hoagland and Arnon, 1950). Photosynthetic capacity of the flag leaf was determined at anthesis using net CO2 exchange rate versus internal CO2 concentration curves measured under saturating light (2000 micromoles m-2 s-1) and CO2 (1000 micromoles mol-1). Dwarf wheat cultivars had greater photosynthetic capacities than the taller semi-dwarfs, they averaged 20% higher maximum net photosynthetic rates compared to the taller semi-dwarfs, but these higher rates occurred only at anthesis, had slightly greater carboxylation efficiencies and significantly increased chlorophyll concentrations per unit leaf area. The reduced-height wheat had significantly less dry mass fraction in the stem but greater dry mass partitioned to the ear than the taller semi-dwarfs (Yecora rojo, IBWSN-199). Studies with detached heads confirm that the head is a significant sink in the shorter wheat cultivars.

Seed reserves partition and light compensation point of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) seedlings growth under low photosynthetic active radiation

The aim of this study was to verify the dry mass partition of the seed reserves during the initial growth of Swietenia macrophylla seedlings, in the dark, and at low levels of photosynthetically active radiation: 0.125; 3.12 and 52 µ mol.m-2.s-1. After 50 days, the dry mass of the seed reserves did not differ with treatments, but the total dry mass and leaf area were higher in the seedlings under higher light treatment. No difference in root/shoot ratio was observed between treatments, but the leaf area ratio was lower at higher light. Only the seedlings grown at 52 µ mol.m-2.s-1 showed a positive dry mass increase in relation to the mobilized seed reserves. With the values of the net increase of the seedling mass, a linear equation was adjusted in relation to the light levels, permitting to determine 3.76 µ mol.m-2.s-1 as the seedling light compensation point. These results explain the shade tolerance of the S. macrophylla seedlings.

Leaf Gas Exchange, Dry Matter Partitioning, and Mineral Element Concentrations in Mango as Influenced by Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Root Restriction

The effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment and root restriction on net CO2 assimilation (A), dry mass partitioning, and leaf mineral element concentrations in `Kensington' and `Tommy Atkins' mango (Mangifera indica L.) were investigated. Trees were grown in controlled-environment glasshouse rooms at ambient CO2 concentrations of 350 or 700 μmol·mol-1. At each CO2 concentration, trees were grown in 8-L containers, which restricted root growth, or grown aeroponically in 200-L root mist chambers, which did not restrict root growth. Trees grown in 350 μmol·mol-1 CO2 were more efficient at assimilating CO2 than trees grown in 700 μmol·mol-1 CO2. However, total plant and organ dry mass was generally higher for plants grown at 700 μmol·mol-1 CO2 due to increased A as a result of a greater internal partial pressure of CO2 (Ci) in leaves of plants in the CO2 enriched environment. Root restriction reduced A resulting in decreased organ and plant dry mass. In root-restricted plants, reduced A and dry matter accumulation offset the increases in these variables resulting from atmospheric CO2 enrichment. Atmospheric CO2 enrichment and root restriction did not affect dry mass partitioning. Leaf mineral element concentrations were generally lower for trees grown at the higher ambient CO2 concentration, presumably due to a dilution effect from an increased growth rate.

Effect of Floricane Number in `Marion' Trailing Blackberry. II. Yield Components and Dry Mass Partitioning

In Spring 1993 and 1994, mature trailing `Marion' blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) plants were pruned to 0, 4, 8, and 12 floricanes. In 1994, yield per cane was higher for plants with 4 floricanes compared to plants with 8 or 12 floricanes. In Summer 1993, there was a trend for lower primocane dry mass with a higher floricane number and a significant reduction in primocane branch dry mass with an increase in floricane number. Total plant, fruit, floricane, and lateral dry mass increased linearly with floricane number. Results were similar for floricane components in Summer 1994; however, there were no treatment effects on primocane or branch dry mass and there was a significant linear increase in crown dry mass with floricane number. By Winter 1994-95, there were no treatment effects on primocane or crown dry mass. Plants without floricanes produced more primocanes per plant than plants with floricanes in 1993 but not in 1994. Plants without floricanes produced primocanes that had a significantly lower percent budbreak the following year (1994) than plants with floricanes. Primocanes produced by plants without floricanes had more nodes per branch and a greater average branch cane length than those from plants with floricanes the previous season. The number of nodes per primocane tended to decrease with an increase in floricane number per plant in 1994 and 1995. There was no significant effect of floricane number per plant the previous season on fruit per lateral, fruit mass, or yield per plant the following season in either treatment year (1993 + 1994). However, in 1994, plants without floricanes the previous year had the lowest yield per cane. Topping primocanes at 30 cm in 1993 and 1994 had few significant effects on yield components the following season. Thus, `Marion' blackberry can compensate for reduced fruiting cane number through an increased percent budbreak on remaining canes. While there were differences in primocane dry mass among treatments after harvest in 1993, there were no differences by mid-winter in either 1993 or 1994. Although plants grown without floricanes in 1993 had more primocanes, these canes had a lower percent budbreak the following season. Consequently, in this study we did not see increased yield in plants grown without floricanes the previous season. This was perhaps because primocanes were not trained as they grew, a practice that improves light exposure to the canes and may increase flower bud initiation.

Effects of Timing of Drought Stress on Abscission and Dry Matter Partitioning of Short‐duration Pigeonpea

AbstractShoot dry mass partitioning and cumulative abscission of leaf, flowers and pods were determined for nine short‐duration pigeonpea genotypes grown with adequate soil moisture throughout growth (control), or subjected to water stress during the late vegetative and flowering (stress 1), flowering and early pod development (stress 2), or pod fill (stress 3) growth stages. The total cumulative dry mass of abscised plant parts was lower for determinate genotypes, but it increased to a greater extent under water stress than that for indeterminate genotypes, with stress 2 having the greatest and stress 3 die least effects. The dry mass contribution of pods to total abscission was ≤ 5%, and not signiflcantiy affected by water stress, while the contribution of leaves increased and mat of flowers decreased. Stress 3 had no significant effects on abscission dry mass totals or components. Reduction in shoot dry mass under water stress was most pronounced for genotypes in die early pod development stage, and the dry mass contribution of leaves generally decreased and that of pods increased under stress 1 and stress 2. With similar abscission levels, the shoot dry mass of genotype ICPL 151, was similar to, or greater than, that of hybrid ICPH 9, under stress 1 and stress 2, and the contribution of pods to shoot dry mass was lower for hybrid ICPH 9 under both stress treatments. Genotypic differences in drought resistance were likely due to differences in the leaf area maintenance during, and in the recovery of dry mass and pod production following, water stress periods.

GROWTH, ROOT ALTERATION, AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF NEEM TREE (Azadirachta indicaA. Juss) SEEDLINGS IN RESPONSE TO VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND PHOSPHORUS NUTRITION

SUMMARY Growth and nutrient uptake of neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) seedlings were studied in response to vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith, and 2 levels of phosphorus (P). Extensive VAM colonization in neem roots occurred at both P levels: 0.65 and 1.30 mM P. Growth of VAM plants at both P levels was similar, while growth of noncolonized (Non-VAM) plants increased with increasing P supply. At the low P level, VAM plants had greater leaf area, shoot, root and leaf dry weight, and a greater root: shoot ratio than Non-VAM plants. Low P, VAM plants had a greater leaf area and root dry weight and a comparable leaf and shoot dry weight and root: shoot ratio, when compared with high P, Non-VAM plants. VAM inoculation also altered dry mass partitioning to root systems resulting in greater root length and dry weight of suberized roots in VAM plants. The length of nonsuberized roots increased with increasing P supply regardless of VAM inoculation. VAM inocu...

435 PB 206 EFFECT OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND PHOSPHORUS ON GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF NEEM TREE SEEDLINGS (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS)

Growth and nutrient content of neem tree seedlings (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) were studied in response to the mycorrhial fungi Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith and Long Ashton Nutrient Solution (LANS) modified to supply phosphorus (P) at 0.65 and 1.30 mM P. Three months after inoculation, an extensive mycorrhizal colonization was observed in mycorrhizal plants at both P levels. Shoot growth of mycorrhizal plants was similar at both P levels while the growth of nonmycorrhizal plants increased with increasing P supply. Mycorrhizal plants had greater leaf area, shoot dry weight and root to shoot ratio than nonmycorrhizal plants at the same P level. The length of nonsuberized roots increased with increasing P supply regardless of mycorrhizal colonization while the length of suberized roots was significantly increased by mycorrhiza. Mycorrhiza altered dry mass partitioning to root systems resulting in greater length and dry weight of suberized roots in mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhiza also improved nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and sulfur uptake but did not affect micronutrient uptake, except for enhancing boron.

Patterns in aboveground carbon allocation and tree architecture that favor stem growth in young Scots pine from high latitudes.

The production and allocation of aboveground biomass and the characteristics of tree architecture were examined in eight-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Considerable among-tree variation existed in tree architecture, total aboveground dry mass production, and dry mass partitioning among tree parts. A linear relationship existed between needle and branch mass. Stem mass was directly proportional to tree height, which in turn was directly proportional to the allocation ratio between stem mass and total needle + branch mass production. The architectural characteristics that were related to a high proportional allocation to stem and high stemwood production were a large mean shoot volume, large mean number of branches per whorl, long needle retention and a high crown length/crown width ratio. Individual trees were found that combined high stemwood production with both high harvest index and high stemwood specific gravity.

Reciprocal transport between ramets increases growth of Fragaria chiloensis when light and nitrogen occur in separate patches but only if patches are rich.

Fragaria chiloensis is a stoloniferous perennial herb that grows on coastal sand dunes where scattered shrubs create small patches of lower photon flux density (PFD) but higher soil nitrogen availability. The potential effects of resource transport between ramets when PFD and soil nitrogen are negatively associated in space were tested by comparing the growth of pairs of ramets in which the vascular connection between ramets was either severed or left intact. One ramet in each pair was given high PFD but a low level of soil nitrogen and the other ramet was given low PFD but high N. The analogous effects of resource transport likely to be realized in nature were tested by substituting a more realistic medium soil nitrogen level in place of the high level. Results suggested that connected ramets exchanged carbon and nitrogen under both regimes of soil nitrogen heterogeneity. In the low versus high nitrogen regime, connected ramets had higher combined dry biomass and different patterns of dry mass partitioning from those of severed ramets; effect of connection was greater on ramets given low PFD and high N and on younger ramets. In the low versus medium nitrogen regime, connected ramets had different patterns of partitioning only. Apparent reciprocal resource transport between ramets can enhance the growth of ramets with complementary resource deficiencies, but may affect growth in dry mass only when maximum resource levels are high.

Growth and Photosynthetic Responses to a Range of Light Environments in Chinese Tallowtree and Carolina Ash Seedlings

Abstract Potted seedlings of Chinese tallowtree (Sapium sebiferum [L.] Roxb.) and Carolina ash (Fraxinus caroliniana Mill.) were grown in 5%, 20%, 53%, and 100% of full sunlight. Growth and dry mass partitioning at all light levels, differences between leaf photosynthetic systems developed at 20% and 100% light, and crown profiles of net photosynthesis (PN) in 53% of full sunlight were measured. Tallowtree dry mass peaked at 100%, light while ash dry mass peaked at 53% light. Expressed as a proportion of peak dry mass within species, growth of tallowtree exceeded that of ash at all light levels except 53% of full sunlight. In all but 100% light, tallowtree partitioned more dry mass to leaves than did Carolina ash. For plants grown in 100% light, PN was highly variable with low values in some tallowtree and most ash leaves, although highest PN occurred in ash. For plants grown in 20% light, PN was closely related to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), and both species had similar PN Values at any given PPFD. For plants in 53% light, maximum PN occurred at the top of the crown in tallowtree and in the middle of the crown in Carolina ash. Tallowtree seedlings are shade tolerant and yet grow rapidly in full sun. For. Sci. 36(4):851-862.

Effect of nodulation, nitrogen fixation and CO2 enrichment on the physiology, growth and dry mass allocation of seedlings of Alnus rubra Bong.

SUMMARYInoculated and uninoculated Alnus rubra Bong, seedlings were grown for 47 days in atmospheres containing ambient (350 μ1 CO2 1−1) and elevated (650 μl CO2 1−1) levels of CO2, with and without combined nitrogen (20 mg 1−1) supplied as ammonium nitrate. Five plants from each treatment were harvested 15, 30, and 47 days after exposure to CO2 treatments began. Evidence for the presence of a positive feedback loop between nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis was observed in nodulated plants growing at elevated CO2. These plants had greater whole‐plant photosynthesis and nitrogenase activity, leaf area and nitrogen content, as well as nodule and plant dry mass, relative to nodulated plants grown at ambient CO2 and non‐nodulated plants grown at both CO2 levels. This feedback may be an important way in which the potential carbon drain of nitrogen fixation on the host plant could be compensated; increased nitrogen availability resulting in stimulated leaf area growth and whole‐plant photosynthesis. The relative amount of dry mass allocated below ground decreased for all seedlings over time, and the amount allocated above ground increased. This shift in allocation occurred slowly and at a constant rate in non‐nodulated plants and more rapidly and abruptly when plants were nodulated. The proportion of dry mass allocated below ground was consistently greater in non‐nodulated plants. Dry mass allocation to the stem was increased when combined nitrogen was applied and was greatest in nodulated plants grown at high CO2. Dry mass partitioning among other organs was not directly affected by nodulation, CO2 enrichment, or other treatment interactions.