Publication details
Consequences of nitrogen deficiency induced by low external N concentration and by patchy N supply in Picea abies and Thuja occidentalis
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Trees - Structure and function |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://www.springerlink.com/content/p525l511x24n363k/fulltext.html |
| Field | Physiology |
| Keywords | sectorial xylem anatomy; PNUE; photosynthesis; 15N labeling |
| Description | We examined the responses of two coniferous species Picea abies and Thuja occidentalis to decreased nitrogen availability.Nitrogen availability was reduced either by lower N concentration in the nutrient solution or by a patchy supply of a high N concentration to only one side root isolated in a split-root setup. Low N availability resulted in lower specific leaf area and photosynthetic rate in Thuja. Photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, however, linearly decreased with increasing N content only in Thuja. Patchy N supply caused uneven distribution of newly acquired labeled nitrogen and total N but did not result in significantly greater heterogeneity in the rate of photosynthesis among branches both in Picea and in Thuja plants. Both examined species possess mechanisms that reduce adverse effects of patchy N supply and restricted nitrogen transport in xylem to some parts of crown on their photosynthetic carbon assimilation. |
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