Understanding Of Nutrient Uptake Research Articles

Nitrogen affecting switchgrass yield, nitrogen removal, and use efficiency

AbstractBest management practices for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) fertilization in the production of biofuel feedstock and forage hay are variable depending on climate, harvest timing, and variety. A study of N fertilization was conducted to evaluate the yield response, nutrient removal, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in 12 yr old switchgrass stands in Stillwater, OK. Seven rates of N fertilizer were applied ranging from 0 to 235.2 kg N ha−1 for 3 consecutive years (2008, 2009, and 2010). Positive linear trends in yield with increasing rates of N fertilizer (P < .05) were observed in two out of three years. Differences in N removal due to N fertilization were found in all studied years although responses were inconsistent. Nitrogen concentration in harvested biomass increased as N rates and biomass yield increased. Nitrogen use efficiency increased with N rate (P < .05) although many NUE values were negative up to application rate of 100.8 kg N ha−1. Better understanding of nutrient uptake and use efficiency, removal with harvests, and cycling within the plant could provide more refined fertilization practices in switchgrass production.

Stream nitrate uptake and transient storage over a gradient of geomorphic complexity, north‐central Colorado, USA

AbstractThe understanding of nutrient uptake in streams is impeded by a limited understanding of how geomorphic setting and flow regime interact with biogeochemical processing. This study investigated these interactions as they relate to transient storage and nitrate uptake in small agricultural and urban streams. Sites were selected across a gradient of channel conditions and management modifications and included three 180‐m long geomorphically distinct reaches on each of two streams in north‐central Colorado. The agricultural stream has been subject to historically variable cattle‐grazing practices, and the urban stream exhibits various levels of stabilisation and planform alteration. Reach‐scale geomorphic complexity was characterised using highly detailed surveys of channel morphology, substrate, hydraulics and habitat units. Breakthrough‐curve modelling of conservative bromide (Br−) and nonconservative nitrate (NO3−) tracer injections characterised transient storage and nitrate uptake along each reach. Longitudinal roughness and flow depth were positively associated with transient storage, which was related to nitrate uptake, thus underscoring the importance of geomorphic influences on stream biogeochemical processes. In addition, changes in geomorphic characteristics due to temporal discharge variation led to complex responses in nitrate uptake. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nutrient uptake of hybrid poplar in competition with weeds using the soil supply and nutrient demand (SSAND) model

Mechanistic nutrient uptake models can help gain a quantitative understanding of nutrient uptake by plants under weed-competing conditions. The objectives of this study were to check the applicability of the soil supply and nutrient demand (SSAND) model to predict N, P and K uptake by hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus × petrowskyana var. Walker) grown with and without competition with dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and quackgrass (Elymus repens) in a controlled environment, and to determine if incorporating N mineralization into the model would improve N uptake predictions. Simulation results showed that N uptake was underestimated for hybrid poplar by 58 to 73%, depending upon soil type and weed treatment. Incorporation of N mineralization as a model input improved the hybrid poplar N uptake predictions by 24 and 67% in the pasture and alfalfa soil, respectively, when grown without weeds. The SSAND model underestimated P uptake by 84 to 89% and overestimated K uptake by 28 to 59% for hybrid poplar depending upon the soil type and weed treatment. Results from this study illustrate that modeling competition between two species in a controlled environment study is a complex process and that further work is required to understand the underlying processes controlling nutrient supply and uptake in these systems. Key words: Nutrient uptake modeling, SSAND model, hybrid poplar, weeds, sensitivity analysis

Modelling Nitrogen Uptake in Ingestad Units Using Michaelis-Menten Kinetics

The concept of nutrient flux density was developed to grow plants at a controlled and stable relative growth rate whilst maintaining a constant internal concentration of a limiting nutrient. The method requires frequent and exponentially increasing additions of nutrients to replenish uptake. In developing this approach there has been little reference to Michaelis-Menten-like nutrient uptake kinetics for characterising uptake by roots. This paper applies a simple model of nitrogen-limited plant growth using Michaelis-Menten uptake kinetics to data from previously published experiments based on the nutrient flux density approach. It is shown that the model can indeed reproduce key features of experiments: (1) plant relative growth rate equals nitrogen relative addition rate up to a limit; (2) when nitrogen uptake kinetic parameters are within the range reported in the literature, this limiting growth rate agrees with that observed; and (3) solution nitrogen concentrations are consistent with those published. We suggest that the understanding of nutrient uptake and utilisation by plants could be advanced by jointly considering these two approaches.

Anion Uptake by the Apical Region of Seminal Wheat Roots

A COMPREHENSIVE understanding of nutrient uptake by plant roots demands a knowledge of variations along the root. Although it is generally accepted that the region immediately behind the growing tip has relatively greater uptake than other parts of the root1, we have found that even in this apical region there are variations in uptake, that the patterns of uptake in this region differ for different anions and that there are differences between ions in the maintenance of uptake along the root.