scholarly journals Location and Anatomy of Nodules on Alnus maritima Subjected to Flooding

2004 ◽  
Vol 129 (6) ◽  
pp. 775-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi A. Kratsch ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Content ◽  
Land Reclamation ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Cortical Cells ◽  
Alnus Maritima ◽  
Actinorhizal Species ◽  
Managed Landscapes

Although many species of Alnus Miller grow in wet soils, none is as closely associated with low-oxygen, waterlogged soils as Alnus maritima (Marsh.) Muhl. ex Nutt. (seaside alder). An actinorhizal species with promise for use in horticultural landscapes, land reclamation, and sustainable systems, A. maritima associates with Frankia Brunchorst, thereby forming root nodules in which gaseous nitrogen is fixed. Our objective was to determine how root-zone moisture conditions influence the occurrence, location, and anatomy of nodules on A. maritima. Plants of Alnus maritima subsp. maritima Schrader and Graves were established in root zones with compatible Frankia and subjected to four moisture regimens (daily watered/drained, partially flooded, totally flooded, and totally flooded with argon bubbled through the flood water) for 8 weeks. Oxygen content of the root zone, number and location of nodules on root systems, and dry weight and nitrogen content of shoots were determined. Root-zone oxygen content ranged from 17.3 kPa for daily watered/drained plants to 0.9 kPa for argon-treated plants. Across all treatments, 87% of the nodules were within the upper one-third (4 cm) of the root zone. Although shoot dry weights of daily watered/drained and partially flooded plants were not different, daily watered/drained plants had more nitrogen in their leaves (2.53 vs. 2.21 mg·g-1). Nodulation occurred in all treatments, but nodules on totally flooded roots (with or without argon) were limited to a single lobe; in contrast, multilobed nodules were prevalent on partially flooded and daily watered/drained plants. Frankia infection within submerged nodule lobes was limited to one or two layers of cortical cells. Submerged nodules developed large air spaces between cortical cells, and phenolic-containing cells appeared to inhibit Frankia expansion within the nodule. These data suggest that access to root-zone oxygen is critical to the Frankia-A. maritima subsp. maritima symbiosis, and that plants of this subspecies in the drained soils of managed landscapes may benefit more than plants in native wetland habitats from nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

scholarly journals Adaptations of Alnus maritima Nodules to Low Oxygen in the Root Zone

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 892D-892
Author(s):  
Heidi A. Kratsch* ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Photosynthetic Rate ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Quadratic Function ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Separate Experiment ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Alnus Maritima ◽  
Oxygen Tensions ◽  
Actinorhizal Species

Alnus maritima (Marsh.) Muhl. ex Nutt. is unique among alders in its degree of preference for low-oxygen soils of wetlands. An actinorhizal species with promise for use in sustainable horticulture, A. maritima develops a root-nodule symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing Frankia. Nodules of other actinorhizal species that are obligate wetland natives are adapted to low oxygen, and expression of hemoglobin is common to these taxa. Our objectives were to determine the range of oxygen tension under which Alnus maritima subsp. maritima fixes nitrogen and to investigate a potential role for hemoglobin in adaptation of nodules to low oxygen. Roots of plants, cultured aeroponically, were subjected to eight oxygen tensions from 0 to 32 kPa. After four weeks, plant dry weight, nodule fresh weight, nitrogenase activity, and photosynthetic rate were measured. In addition, nodules were assayed spectrophotometrically for the presence of hemoglobin. A quadratic function best described the influence of oxygen on plant dry weight, nodule fresh weight, nitrogenase activity, and photosynthetic rate with maximal values above 20 kPa. Alnus serrulata (Ait.) Willd. is sympatric with A. maritima subsp. maritima but is not an obligate inhabitant of wetlands. In a separate experiment, we found higher nitrogenase activity in A. maritima subsp. maritima than in A. serrulata (0.74 vs. 0.26 μmol/h per plant) at hypoxic oxygen tensions. Further, optical absorption spectra of nodule extracts confirmed hemoglobin within nodules of A. maritima subsp. maritima. Our data suggest that hemoglobin contributes to oxygen regulation in nodules of A. maritima subsp. maritima.

scholarly journals Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Alnus maritima from Its Three Disjunct Populations

2000 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Schrader ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Delmarva Peninsula ◽  
Disjunct Populations ◽  
Alnus Maritima ◽  
Multiple Groups ◽  
Managed Landscapes

Genotypic variation and horticultural potential of Alnus maritima [Marsh.] Nutt. (seaside alder), a large shrub or small tree found naturally in only three small, disjunct populations, have not been studied. We examined effects of population of origin and environment on seed germination and growth and morphology of seedlings. The first experiment showed that 6 weeks of cold stratification optimized germination of half-sibling seeds from Oklahoma at 73.2%. When this treatment was applied to multiple groups of half-siblings from all populations in a second experiment, seeds from Oklahoma had a higher germination percentage (55.0%) than seeds from Georgia (31.4%) and the Delmarva Peninsula (14.7%). In a third experiment, morphology and growth of multiple groups of half-siblings from all three populations were compared in one environment. Leaves of seedlings from Oklahoma were longer (12.8 cm) and more narrow (2.15 length to width ratio) than leaves of seedlings from Georgia (12.0 cm long; ratio = 1.76) and the Delmarva Peninsula (11.6 cm long; ratio = 1.86). Seedlings from Oklahoma and Georgia accumulated dry weight at higher rates (181 and 160 mg·d-1, respectively) than seedlings from Delmarva (130 mg·d-1), while seedlings from Oklahoma and Delmarva were more densely foliated (0.72 and 0.64 leaves and lateral shoots per centimeter of primary stem, respectively) than those from Georgia (0.46 per cm). These differences indicate genetic divergence among the three disjunct populations and the potential to exploit genetic variation to select horticulturally superior A. maritima for use in managed landscapes.

Determinate development of nodule roots in actinomycete-induced root nodules of Myrica gale

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1357-1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Torrey ◽  
Dale Callaham
Keyword(s):  
Root Development ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
Cortical Cell ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Nodule Development ◽  
Nodule Formation ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Cortical Cells ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Myrica Gale

Young seedlings of Myrica gale L. grown in water culture were inoculated with a nodule suspension containing the effective actinomycete which induced root nodule formation. Nodule development was followed from initiation to nodule lobe formation and nodule root development using living materials and fixed nodules sectioned for light microscopy. After root hair infection and prenodule formation, three stages were observed: nodule lobe formation, a transition or arrested state, and nodule root development. The primary nodule lobe meristem originates endogenously and its formation involves pericycle, endodermis, and cortical cell derivatives. The lobe develops slowly to about 2 mm in length while the cortical cells are invaded by the actinomycete endophyte. After a period of arrest of variable duration, from a few days to several weeks, the nodule lobe meristem begins altered development, forming the elongate nodule root which undergoes slow but continuous growth to about 3- to 4-cm final length. New nodule lobe primordia are initiated endogenously at the base of existing nodules lobes, ultimately forming a cluster of nodule roots. Each nodule root, which elongates at about 0.1–1.0 mm per day, has a terminal apical meristem with reduced root cap formation and produces a modified root structure possessing an elaborate cortical intercellular space system and a reduced central cylinder. Nodule root growth is distinctive in that it shows strong negative geotropism. The endophyte is restricted to cortical cells of the nodule lobe and is totally absent from tissues of the nodule root. A probable role for nodule roots is to facilitate gas diffusion to the nitrogen-fixing endophyte site in the nodule lobe when nodules occur under conditions of low oxygen tension.

scholarly journals Long- and Short-term Effects of Nitrogen on Formation and Function of Root Nodules on Alnus maritima

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 892C-892
Author(s):  
Michele Tiffany Laws* ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indigenous Plants ◽  
Hoagland Solution ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Alnus Maritima ◽  
And Function

Symbiotic associations between Alnus maritima (Marsh.) Muhl. ex Nutt. (seaside alder) and the actinomycete Frankia result in root nodules in which atmospheric nitrogen (N) is fixed. This has led to interest in producing seaside alders with minimal N fertilizer and in using the species on low-N soils. Our objectives were to determine how applied N influences nodulation and to characterize how short-term changes in root-zone N affect the function of established nodules. Seaside alders native to the Delmarva Peninsula (Alnus maritima subsp. maritima) were grown in perlite inoculated with soil from roots of indigenous plants. Plants were treated with N-free Hoagland solution supplemented with ammonium nitrate at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 4, and 8 mm for 10 weeks. Nodulation decreased as applied N increased. While plants treated with ammonium nitrate at 4 and 8 mm formed nearly no nodules, 0.5 mM resulted in vigorous, healthy plants that formed, on average, 70 nodules. In a second experiment, a nodulated population of seaside alders was established by treating seedlings with 0.5-mm ammonium nitrate in otherwise N-free Hoagland solution for 6 weeks. Plants then were provided ammonium nitrate at 0.5, 2, or 4 mm for two weeks. Acetylene-reduction assays showed that ammonium nitrate at 4 mm suppressed nodule activity. Daily irrigation with N-free solution subsequently led to a rapid depletion of root-zone N and a concomitant resurgence of nodule activity among plants previously provided 2- and 4-mm ammonium nitrate. These results provide useful information on how to manage fertility to optimize nodulation and show suppression of nodule activity caused by N fertilization can be temporary if excess N is leached from the root zone.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Inhibits Nodulation and Reversibly Suppresses Nitrogen Fixation in Nodules of Alnus maritima

2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 496-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tiffany Laws ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Symbiotic Associations ◽  
Alnus Maritima

Symbiotic associations between Alnus maritima (Marsh.) Muhl. ex Nutt. (seaside alder) and actinomycetes in the genus Frankia Brunchorst result in root nodules in which atmospheric nitrogen (N) is fixed. The economic and environmental benefits of N fixation have led to interest in inducing root nodules during production of A. maritima. Because woody plants produced in nurseries typically are provided N fertilizer, our objectives were to determine how applied N influences nodulation of A. maritima and to characterize how short-term changes in root-zone N affect the function of nodules. Potted seedlings were grown in perlite that was inoculated with 30 mL of soil from the root zones of mature plants in their native habitat on the Delmarva Peninsula. Each pot was drenched once daily for 10 weeks with nutrient solution that contained ammonium nitrate at 10 concentrations from 0 to 8 mm. Plants that received no ammonium nitrate formed the most nodules, and nodulation decreased linearly as ammonium nitrate increased from 0.25 to 4 mm. Plants treated with ammonium nitrate at 4 or 8 mm formed nearly no nodules, while ammonium nitrate at 0.5 mm resulted in vigorous plants with an average nodule count of 70. In a second experiment, a population of nodulated seaside alders was established by irrigating seedlings in inoculated perlite once daily with 0.5-mm ammonium nitrate for 6 weeks. Plants then were provided ammonium nitrate at 0.5, 2, or 4 mm for 2 weeks. Acetylene-reduction assays showed suppressed nodule activity among plants provided 2- and 4-mm ammonium nitrate. Daily irrigation of those plants with N-free solution subsequently led to a rapid depletion of root-zone N and to a concomitant resurgence of nodule activity. These results demonstrate that N fertilization can be managed to promote nodulation of A. maritima and show that decreased nodule activity caused by short-term increases in root-zone N is reversible.

scholarly journals Nodulation and Growth of Alnus nitida and Alnus maritima Inoculated with Species-specific and Nonspecific Frankia

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
James A. Schrader ◽  
William R. Graves
Keyword(s):  
Dry Weight ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
N Content ◽  
Native Prairie ◽  
Inoculation Techniques ◽  
Alnus Maritima ◽  
Prairie Soil ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Actinorhizal Species

Abstract Actinorhizal plants form N2-fixing symbioses with soil-borne bacteria of the genus Frankia. Potential exists for development of sustainable, actinorhizal nursery crops that obtain most of their required N through N2 fixation, but information on host-symbiont specificity, presence of compatible Frankia in soils, and techniques to inoculate during plant production is lacking. Our objectives were to determine the effect of inoculum type and source and the effect of supplemental N on nodulation, growth, and N content of two actinorhizal species, Alnus nitida (Spach) Endl. and Alnus maritima (Marsh.) Muhl. ex Nutt. Plants of both species were subjected to one of four inoculum treatments (two crushed-nodule inocula: species-specific and cross inoculation, and two soil inocula: soil collected beneath native Alnus rubra Bong. in Washington state and native prairie soil from Iowa), were supplied fertilizer with or without N, and were grown in a greenhouse for 22 weeks. Inoculated plants nodulated, grew larger and faster, and accrued greater N content than uninoculated controls in both fertilizer treatments. Plants that received species-specific inoculum grew larger, acquired more dry weight from symbioses, and accumulated higher N content than cross-inoculated plants. Plants of A. nitida inoculated with soil from Washington state grew larger and accumulated more dry weight from symbioses than those inoculated with prairie soil, but A. maritima grew similarly with soil inoculum from both sources. Our results demonstrate that A. nitida and A. maritima can benefit from N2-fixing symbiosis during production and that potential exists for development of superior inocula and inoculation techniques.

scholarly journals Mutation in the ntrR Gene, a Member of the vap Gene Family, Increases the Symbiotic Efficiency of Sinorhizobium meliloti

2001 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 887-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boglárka Oláh ◽  
Erno Kiss ◽  
Zoltán Györgypál ◽  
Judit Borzi ◽  
Gyöngyi Cinege ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
Nifh Gene ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Nodule Occupancy ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Symbiotic Efficiency ◽  
Host Interactions

In specific plant organs, namely the root nodules of alfalfa, fixed nitrogen (ammonia) produced by the symbiotic partner Sinorhizobium meliloti supports the growth of the host plant in nitrogen-depleted environment. Here, we report that a derivative of S. meliloti carrying a mutation in the chromosomal ntrR gene induced nodules with enhanced nitrogen fixation capacity, resulting in an increased dry weight and nitrogen content of alfalfa. The efficient nitrogen fixation is a result of the higher expression level of the nifH gene, encoding one of the subunits of the nitrogenase enzyme, and nifA, the transcriptional regulator of the nif operon. The ntrR gene, controlled negatively by its own product and positively by the symbiotic regulator syrM, is expressed in the same zone of nodules as the nif genes. As a result of the nitrogen-tolerant phenotype of the strain, the beneficial effect of the mutation on efficiency is not abolished in the presence of the exogenous nitrogen source. The ntrR mutant is highly competitive in nodule occupancy compared with the wild-type strain. Sequence analysis of the mutant region revealed a new cluster of genes, termed the “ntrPR operon,” which is highly homologous to a group of vap-related genes of various pathogenic bacteria that are presumably implicated in bacterium-host interactions. On the basis of its favorable properties, the strain is a good candidate for future agricultural utilization.

scholarly journals Dampak Dosis Kompos Kotoran Sapi Terhadap Profil Suhu Tanah di Zona Perakaran dan Produktivitas Tanaman Pakcoy (Brassica rafa L)

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
I Made Andi Purnama Wijaya ◽  
Yohanes Setiyo ◽  
I Wayan Tika
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Optimum Dose ◽  
Root Zone Temperature ◽  
Rooting Zone ◽  
Treatment Dose

Suhu tanah adalah salah satu sifat fisik tanah yang secara langsung mempengaruhi pertumbuhan tanaman pakcoy. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) untuk menganalisis suhu di zona perakaran, (2) menganalisis hubungan antara dosis pemupukan mempergunakan kompos dengan suhu di zona perakaran dan (3) untuk menganalis suhu yang optimum untuk produktivitas dan kualitas pakcoy yang dihasilkan saat panen. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan rancangan acak lengkap, dengan lima perlakuan dan tiga ulangan. Perlakuan tersebut adalah P0 : dosis kompos 0 kg/m2, P1 : dosis kompos 1 kg/m2, P2 : dosis kompos 2 kg/m2, P3 : dosis kompos 3 kg/m2, dan P4 : dosis kompos 4 kg/m2. Parameter yang diamati pada penelitian ini adalah suhu udara, suhulingkungan, kadar air tanah dan produktivitas. Padamalam hari suhu tanah di zona perakaran lebih tinggi 0,59 oC dari pada suhu lingkungan. Suhu tanah di zona perakaran terendah dan tertinggi adalah 18,02 oC dan 21,94 oC. Suhu tanah malam hari dan siang hari untuk dosis 0-5kg/m2 masih toleran pada tanaman pacoy. Berat kering tanaman pakcoy tertinggi pada perlakuan dosis kompos 4kg/m2 denganberat 92,21 gram/tanaman dan terendah pada perlakuan kontrol dengan berat 71,82 gram/tanaman.   The temperature of the soil is one of the physical properties of the soil, this soil physical properties direc2tly affect plant growth pakcoy.  The purpose of this research are (1) to analyze the temperature at root zone, temperature inside and out of the mini greenhouse, (2) analyze the relationship between temperature at root zone  with doses of compost fertilizer application and 3) to analyze the optimum dose of compost based on productivity and quality of the pakcoy is generated when the harvest. The design of the research used randomized complete design, with five treatments and three replicates. The treatment is P0: a dose of compost 0 kg/m, P1: a dose of compost 1 kg/m2, P2: a dose of compost 2 kg/m2, P3: the dose of compost 3 kg/m2, and P4: a dose of compost 4 kg/m2. The parameters observed in this research is the air temperature, the temperature of the environment, ground water levels and productivity.  At night the temperature of the soil rooting zone higher at 0.59 ºC than at the temperature of the environment. Soil temperature at root zone the lowest  and the highest  are 18.02 oC and 21.94 oC.  The temperature of the soil the night and during the day for dose 0-5 kg/m2 was still tolerant plants pakcoy. Dry weight of the plant the highest pakcoy on the treatment dose of compost 4 kg/m2  with a weight of 92.21 grams/lowest at the treatment plant and the control by the weight of 71.82 grams/plant.

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