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Zhang C, Zhang C, Azuma T, Maruyama H, Shinano T, Watanabe T. Different nitrogen acquirement and utilization strategies might determine the ecological competition between ferns and angiosperms. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 131:1097-1106. [PMID: 36661261 PMCID: PMC10457029 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The abundance or decline of fern populations in response to environmental change has been found to be largely dependent on specific physiological properties that distinguish ferns from angiosperms. Many studies have focused on water use efficiency and stomatal behaviours, but the effects of nutrition acquirement and utilization strategies on niche competition between ferns and flowering plants are rarely reported. METHODS We collected 34 ferns and 42 angiosperms from the Botanic Garden of Hokkaido University for nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), NO3- and SO42- analysis. We then used a hydroponic system to compare the different N and S utilization strategies between ferns and angiosperms under N deficiency conditions. KEY RESULTS Ferns had a significantly higher NO3--N concentration and NO3--N/N ratio than angiosperms, although the total N concentration in ferns was remarkably lower than that in the angiosperms. Meanwhile, a positive correlation between N and S was found, indicating that nutrient concentration is involved in assimilation. Pteris cretica, a fern species subjected to further study, maintained a slow growth rate and lower N requirement in response to low N stress, while both the biomass and N concentration in wheat (Triticum aestivum) responded quickly to N deficiency conditions. CONCLUSIONS The different nutritional strategies employed by ferns and angiosperms depended mainly on the effects of phylogenetic and evolutionary diversity. Ferns tend to adopt an opportunistic strategy of limiting growth rate to reduce N demand and store more pooled nitrate, whereas angiosperms probably utilize N nutrition to ensure as much development as possible under low N stress. Identifying the effects of mineral nutrition on the evolutionary results of ecological competition between plant species remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengming Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Characteristic Horticultural Biological Resources, Chengdu Normal University, Haike Road-99 East Section, Chengdu, 611130, China
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kitaku, Sapporo, 0608589, Japan
| | - Chaoqun Zhang
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kitaku, Sapporo, 0608589, Japan
| | - Takayuki Azuma
- Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Botanic Garden, Hokkaido University, Kita-3, Nishi-8, Chuoku, Sapporo, 0600003, Japan
| | - Hayato Maruyama
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kitaku, Sapporo, 0608589, Japan
| | - Takuro Shinano
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kitaku, Sapporo, 0608589, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Watanabe
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kitaku, Sapporo, 0608589, Japan
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Chen M, Zhu K, Xie J, Liu J, Qiao Z, Tan P, Peng F. Ammonium-nitrate mixtures dominated by NH 4+-N promote the growth of pecan ( Carya illinoinensis) through enhanced N uptake and assimilation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1186818. [PMID: 37313261 PMCID: PMC10258329 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1186818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) limits plant productivity, and its uptake and assimilation may be regulated by N sources, N assimilating enzymes, and N assimilation genes. Mastering the regulatory mechanisms of N uptake and assimilation is a key way to improve plant nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, it is poorly known how these factors interact to influence the growth process of pecans. In this study, the growth, nutrient uptake and N assimilation characteristics of pecan were analyzed by aeroponic cultivation at varying NH4 +/NO3 - ratios (0/0, 0/100,25/75, 50/50, 75/25,100/0 as CK, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). The results showed that T4 and T5 treatments optimally promoted the growth, nutrient uptake and N assimilating enzyme activities of pecan, which significantly increased aboveground biomass, average relative growth rate (RGR), root area, root activity, free amino acid (FAA) and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations, nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (Fd-GOGAT and NADH-GOGAT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities. According to the qRT-PCR results, most of the N assimilation genes were expressed at higher levels in leaves and were mainly significantly up-regulated under T1 and T4 treatments. Correlation analysis showed that a correlation between N assimilating enzymes and N assimilating genes did not necessarily exist. The results of partial least squares path model (PLS-PM) analysis indicated that N assimilation genes could affect the growth of pecan by regulating N assimilation enzymes and nutrients. In summary, we suggested that the NH4 +/NO3 - ratio of 75:25 was more beneficial to improve the growth and NUE of pecan. Meanwhile, we believe that the determination of plant N assimilation capacity should be the result of a comprehensive analysis of N concentration, N assimilation enzymes and related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyun Chen
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kaikai Zhu
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junyi Xie
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Ecology, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junping Liu
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenbing Qiao
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengpeng Tan
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangren Peng
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
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Ammonia–Nitrate Mixture Dominated by NH4+–N Promoted Growth, Photosynthesis and Nutrient Accumulation in Pecan (Carya illinoinensis). FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12121808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although ammonia–nitrogen (NH4+–N) and nitrate–nitrogen (NO3−–N) are the two main forms of N absorbed and utilized by plants, the preferences of plants for these forms are still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the growth, photosynthesis, and nutrients of pecan under different NH4+:NO3− ratios (0/0, 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, 100/0) by indoor aerosol incubation. The results showed that additions of different N forms promoted the growth and development of pecan seedlings. When NO3−–N was used as the sole N source, it significantly promoted the ground diameter growth of pecan and increased the leaf pigment content and photosynthetic rate. The NH4+:NO3− ratio of 75:25 and NH4+–N as the sole N source significantly increased the soluble sugars in stems and roots, starch in leaves, stems and roots, soluble protein in leaves and stems, and soluble phenols in stems and roots. Additionally, the NH4+:NO3− ratio of 75:25 increased plant height, leaf number, root soluble protein, and leaf soluble phenol contents. In conclusion, regarding the physiological aspects of pecan growth, pecans are more inclined to use NH4+–N. Considering that the NH4+–N as the only N source may lead to nutrient imbalance or even toxicity, the NH4+:NO3− ratio of 75:25 was most favorable for the growth and development of pecan seedlings.
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