Distribution of biomass and nitrogen among plant parts and soil nitrogen in a young Alnus incana stand

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1545-1549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Huss-Danell ◽  
Helene Ohlsson
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Final Height ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Local Source ◽  
Alnus Incana ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Activity Measurements

Grey alder, Alnus incana (L.) Moench, was inoculated with the local source of Frankia and planted in nitrogen-poor soil in northern (63.8°N, 20.3°E) Sweden. Each alder root system was enclosed in a cylinder that served as an open-ended cuvette for nitrogenase activity measurements. The alders grew well, especially during the 2nd year of the study. The final leaf area in each season was more closely related to total alder biomass than final height of alders. The alders lost 17% of their total dry mass as leaf litter each year. This corresponded to 33 g dry mass and 0.67 g N per alder during the 2nd year. During the 2 years the soil N increment was 0.52 g N per alder. Leaf litter N and the increase in soil N corresponded to 27 and 17%, respectively, of the N2 fixed in the 2 years. Already at a young age, N2-fixing A. incana can apparently contribute to an improved fertility of N deficient soils. Key words: aboveground biomass, Alnus incana, belowground biomass, leaf litter, nitrogen content, soil N increment.

N2 fixation in a young Alnus incana stand, based on seasonal and diurnal variation in whole plant nitrogenase activity

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1537-1544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Huss-Danell ◽  
Per-Olof Lundquist ◽  
Helene Ohlsson
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Diurnal Variation ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Hydrogenase Activity ◽  
Alnus Incana ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Leaf Emergence ◽  
Activity Measurements ◽  
Acetylene Reducing Activity

N2 fixation by grey alder, Alnus incana (L.) Moench, was studied in the field during two growing seasons in northern Sweden. Alders were planted in a nitrogen-poor soil. Each alder had its root system enclosed in an open-ended cylinder that was closed with a gas-tight lid around the stem base to serve as cuvette during nitrogenase activity (acetylene reducing activity) measurements. To follow the seasonal variation, nitrogenase activity was measured at noon on 15 occasions for each alder in 1987 and on 15 occasions in 1988. Diurnal variation in nitrogenase activity was studied at six occasions, but no obvious pattern in the diurnal variation was found. Nitrogenase activity began shortly after leaf emergence at the very end of May, increased in June, stayed high although with some variation through July and August, declined during September, and was zero in early October. Cumulative nitrogenase activity over the season was converted to cumulative N2 fixation after determination of molar ratio nitrogenase activity to N2 fixation. This conversion was facilitated as the Frankia chosen as symbiont was lacking hydrogenase activity. Control experiments showed that the introduced symbiont was the only infective Frankia in the soil. N2 fixation was estimated to be 0.23 and 2.83 g N/(alder∙year) in the 1st and 2nd year, respectively. Despite its young age, A. incana was apparently capable of high N2 fixation rates at the high latitude studied. Key words: Alnus incana, hydrogenase, intact plants, N2 fixation, seasonal variation, spreading of Frankia.

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

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 474d-474
Author(s):  
N.K. Damayanthi Ranwala ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Light Transmission ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Reflected Light ◽  
Total Light ◽  
Dry Mass Partitioning

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.

scholarly journals Post-fire consequences for leaf breakdown in a tropical stream

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan de Souza Rezende ◽  
Cristiano Queiroz de Albuquerque ◽  
Andrezza Sayuri Victoriano Hirota ◽  
Paulo Fernandes Roges Souza Silva ◽  
Ricardo Keichi Umetsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Fungal Biomass ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Tropical Stream ◽  
Fire Event ◽  
Litter Bags ◽  
Fine Mesh ◽  
Post Fire Effects

Abstract Aim Wildfire is a natural pulsed disturbance in landscapes of the Savannah Biome. This study evaluates short-term post-fire effects on leaf litter breakdown, the invertebrate community and fungal biomass of litter from three different vegetal species in a tropical stream. Methods Senescent leaves of Inga laurina, Protium spruceanum and Rircheria grandis (2 ± 0.1 g dry mass) were individually placed in litter bags (30 × 30 cm: 10 mm coarse mesh and 0.5 mm fine mesh) and submerged in the study stream before and after fire. Replicate bags (n = 4; individually for each species, sampling time, fire event and mesh size) were then retrieved after 20 and 40 days and washed to separate the invertebrates before fire event and again immediately after fire. Disks were cut from leaves to determine ash-free dry mass, while the remaining material was oven-dried to determine dry mass. Results The pre-fire mean decomposition coefficient (k = -0.012 day-1) was intermediate compared to that reported for other savannah streams, but post-fire it was lower (k = -0.007 day-1), due to decreased allochthonous litter input and increased autochthones production. Intermediate k values for all qualities of litter post-fire may indicate that fire is equalizing litter quality in the stream ecosystem. The abundance of scrapers was found to be more important than fungal biomass or shredder abundance, probably due to their functioning in leaf fragmentation while consuming periphyton growing on leaf litter. Conclusions Theses results indicate that fire can modify the relationships within decomposer communities in tropical stream ecosystems.

Dinitrogen fixation and nodulation by Frankia in Alnus incana as affected by inorganic nitrogen in pot experiments with peat

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 2956-2963 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Granhall ◽  
T. Ericsson ◽  
M. Clarholm
Keyword(s):  
Acetylene Reduction ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Alnus Incana ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Noticeable Effect ◽  
Essential Nutrients ◽  
Pot Experiments ◽  
Ph Level

The effects of single large or repeated, exponentially increasing applications of nutrients, with or without inorganic nitrogen and at two pH levels, on the growth, nodulation, acetylene reduction, and nutrient uptake in Alnus incana (L.) Moench were investigated in pot experiments with peat under controlled laboratory conditions. The repeated application of inorganic nitrogen did not suppress nitrogenase activity until the last 2 weeks, whereas an initial, large, nitrogen application effectively inhibited nodulation and activity throughout the 40-day experimental period. The mode of nitrogen application was thus found to be more important than the total amounts applied. Shoot length, leaf area, shoot–root relations, dry-matter production, and nitrogen contents of plants were determined at the end of the experiment, as well as the effect of Frankia inoculations. Nitrogenase activity was determined three times, at 0, 3, and 5 weeks. N2 fixation (balance/acetylene reduction) was found to be maximal, 55% of total nitrogen uptake, in minus-N pots with single applications of essential nutrients. The fastest growth was, however, noted in pots with single applications of all nutrients, including N. Among the latter, pots inoculated with Frankia showed the best growth, in spite of low nitrogenase activity. The only noticeable effect of a raised pH level was a reduced endophyte activity in minus-N pots with single applications of essential nutrients, due to increased N mineralization in the peat.

scholarly journals Application of electrical capacitance measurement for in situ monitoring of competitive interactions between maize and weed plants

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e0904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre Cseresnyés ◽  
Tünde Takács ◽  
Anna Füzy ◽  
Krisztina R. Végh ◽  
Éva Lehoczky
Keyword(s):  
Intraspecific Competition ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
In Situ Monitoring ◽  
Capacitance Measurement ◽  
Weed Competition ◽  
Electrical Capacitance ◽  
Regular Measurement ◽  
Crop Weed Competition

 Applicability of root electrical capacitance (EC) measurement for monitoring of crop–weed competition was studied in a pot experiment. Maize (Zea mays L.) was grown both alone and with Echinochloa crus-galli or Abutilon theophrasti in different densities with regular measurement of root EC. Plants were harvested 42 days after planting to determine above- and belowground biomass. Depending on weed density, E. crus-galli-A. theophrasti interaction reduced the root EC of maize by 22–66% and 3–57%, respectively. Competitive effect of crop on weeds and intraspecific competition among weeds could also be detected by EC values: E. crus-galli was less sensitive both to the presence of maize and to intraspecific competition than A. theophrasti. Strong linear correlations between root dry mass and root EC for crop and weeds (with R2 from 0.901 to 0.956) were obtained by regression analyses at the end of the experiment. EC monitoring informed us on the emergence time of competition: E. crus-galli interfered with maize root growth a week earlier then A. theophrasti, and increasing weed densities accelerated the emergence of competition. In conclusion, the simple, non-destructive EC method should be considered a potential in situ technique for pot studies on crop–weed competition, which may partially substitute the intrusive techniques commonly used in agricultural researches.

Impact of elevated CO2 on carbohydrate and ureide concentrations in soybean inoculated with different strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Botany ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (7) ◽  
pp. 481-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annick Bertrand ◽  
Danielle Prévost ◽  
Christine Juge ◽  
François-P. Chalifour
Keyword(s):  
Bradyrhizobium Japonicum ◽  
Feedback Inhibition ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Energy Reserves ◽  
Commercial Strain ◽  
Growth Chambers ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Selection Of

Elevated CO2 increases soybean growth and photosynthesis, and the resulting additional supply of photosynthates stimulates nodule activity. To characterize its biochemical response to both CO2 and bradyrhizobial strains, soybean inoculated with three strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum was grown in growth chambers under ambient (400 µmol·mol–1) or elevated (800 µmol·mol–1) CO2. Soluble sugars were generally more abundant in leaves and nodules under elevated CO2, while starch and pinitol were depleted, indicating that additional photosynthates were rapidly used, in particular for nodule growth (dry mass increased by 65%). Ureides (allantoin and allantoic acid) increased under elevated CO2 in leaves, while this increase was not significant in nodules. The indigenous strain 12NS14 induced the highest ureides concentration in nodules under elevated CO2 along with the highest nitrogenase activity and increase in shoot dry mass, indicating a positive-feedback stimulation: soybean mobilized energy reserves to support more nodules, and in return nodules synthesized more ureides to support plant growth. In contrast, the commercial strain 532c resulted in the highest ureide concentrations in leaves, coupled with the lowest nitrogenase activity and nodules yield, suggesting a feedback inhibition of nodule activity. Our results show that selection of B. japonicum strains better adapted to elevated CO2 could improve soybean performance.

scholarly journals The Influence of Three Years of Supplemental Nitrogen on Above- and Belowground Biomass Partitioning in a Decade-Old Miscanthus × giganteus in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship (Poland)

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Izabela Gołąb-Bogacz ◽  
Waldemar Helios ◽  
Andrzej Kotecki ◽  
Marcin Kozak ◽  
Anna Jama-Rodzeńska
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Nitrogen Uptake ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Water Concentration ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Belowground Biomass ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Miscanthus Giganteus ◽  
And Control ◽  
Fertilizer Regimes

Because of the different opinions regarding nitrogen (N) requirements for Miscanthus × giganteus biomass production, we conducted an experiment with a set dose of nitrogen. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the biomass yield, water content, and morphological features of rhizomes and aboveground plant parts in various terms during a growing season over the course of three years (2014–2016) in Lower Silesia (Wroclaw, Poland). The nitrogen fertilization (dose 60 kg/ha and control) significantly affected the number of shoots (p = 0.0018), the water concentration of rhizomes (p = 0.0004) and stems (p = 0.0218), the dry matter yield of leaves (p = 0.0000), and the nitrogen uptake (p = 0.0000). Nitrogen fertilization significantly affected the nitrogen uptake in all plant parts (p = 0.0000). Although low levels of nitrogen appeared to be important in maintaining the maximum growth potentials of mature Miscanthus × giganteus, the small reductions in the above- and belowground biomass production are unlikely to outweigh the environmental costs of applying nitrogen. More studies should use the protocols for the above- and belowground yield determination described in this paper in order to create site- and year-specific fertilizer regimes that are optimized for quality and yield for autumn (green) and spring (delayed) harvests.

scholarly journals Effect of dose and application site on quinclorac absorption by barnyardgrass biotypes

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Concenço ◽  
A.F. Silva ◽  
E.A. Ferreira ◽  
L. Galon ◽  
J.A. Noldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Model ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Leaf Growth ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Resistance Index ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Application Site ◽  
Recommended Dosage ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Nutritive Solution

This work aimed to evaluate the uptake and translocation of quinclorac in function of application sites (shoot or roots) by Echinochloa crusgalli biotypes resistant and susceptible to this herbicide. The treatments consisted of quinclorac doses (0; 0.5; 1; 2; 4; 16 and 64 ppm), applied on the shoot or roots of seedlings of barnyardgrass biotypes. The experimental units consisted of plastic cups containing 250 cm³ of sand. The treatments were applied 10 days after emergence, when barnyardgrass plants reached a 2- to 3- leaf growth stage. The barnyardgrass biotypes were irrigated with nutritive solution weekly and maintained for 40 days after emergence, when length, fresh and dry matter of shoot and roots were evaluated. Variance analysis was carried out using the F test at 5% probability, and in case of significance, a non-linear regression analysis was also carried out using a three-parameter logistic model. In the susceptible biotype, quinclorac was more absorbed by the roots than by the shoot. Comparing dry mass production of the different plant parts of the susceptible biotype per application site, it was verified that quinclorac action is higher when applied to the plant roots. However, for the resistant biotype, it was not possible to determine the dose causing 50% reduction in dry mass accumulation (GR50) and in the resistance index (RI) between both biotypes, due to its high resistance to quinclorac (128 times the recommended dosage). The results showed that quinclorac resistance by the evaluated biotype is not due to differences in the absorption site, strongly suggesting that the resistance acquired by the biotype may result from alteration in the target site.

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