Record ID No. |
1631 |
Author(s) |
Lucash, MS; Yanai, RD; Joslin, JD. , 2008 |
Affiliation |
Yanai RD, SUNY Syracuse, Coll Environm Sci & Forestry, 1 Forestry Dr, Syracuse,NY 13210 USA |
Title |
Nutrient uptake by intact and disturbed roots of loblolly pine seedlings |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
Environmental and Experimental Botany, Vol 64, Iss 1, pp 15-20 |
Categories |
Mycorrhiza General |
Subjects |
Biochemistry |
Sub-subjects |
Miscellaneous |
Country |
USA, North America |
Abstracts |
Most measurements of nutrient uptake use either hydroponic systems or soil-grown roots that have been disturbed by excavation. The first objective of this study was to test how root excavation affects nitrate uptake. Rates of NO3- uptake by mycorrhizal loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L) seedlings were measured in intact sand-filled columns, hydroponics, and disturbed sand-filled columns. Total nitrate uptake in intact sand-filled columns was higher than in disturbed columns, indicating that disturbance lowers uptake. Transferring plants from the sand-filled columns to hydroponics had little effect on NO3- uptake beyond delaying uptake for an hour. The second objective of this study was to determine whether NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ uptake could be studied using sand-filled columns, since previous studies had tested this method only for nitrate uptake. Uptake rates of NH4+ and K+ were positive, while Ca2+ and Mg2+ uptake rates were negative in intact sand-filled columns, indicating that net efflux may occur even without physical disturbance to the root system. The sand-filled column approach has some limitations, but holds promise for conducting nutrient uptake studies with minimal disturbance to the root system. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |