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Nitrogen nutrition, photosynthesis and carbon allocation in ectomycorrhizal pine

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Summary

Studies examined net photosynthesis (Pn) and dry matter production of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizalPinus taeda at 6 intervals over a 10-month period. Pn rates of mycorrhizal plants were consistently greater than nonmycorrhizal plants, and at 10 months were 2.1-fold greater. Partitioning of current photosynthate was examined by pulse-labelling with14CO2 at each of the six time intervals. Mycorrhizal plants assimilated more14CO2, allocated a greater percentage of assimilated14C to the root systems, and lost a greater percentage of14C by root respiration than did nonmycorrhizal plants. At 10 months, the quantity of14CO2 respired by roots per unit root weight was 3.6-fold greater by mycorrhizal than nonmycorrhizal plants. Although the stimulation of photosynthesis and translocation of current photosynthate to the root system by mycorrhiza formation was consistent with the source-sink concept of sink demand, foliar N and P concentrations were also greater in mycorrhizal plants.

Further studies examined Pn and dry matter production ofPinus contorta in response to various combinations of N fertilization (3, 62, 248 ppm), irradiance and mycorrhizal fungi inoculation. At 16 weeks of age, 6 weeks following inoculation with eitherPisolithus tinctorius orSuillus granulatus, Pn rates and biomass were significantly greater in mycorrhizal than nonmycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly greater foliar %P, but not %N, than did nonmycorrhizal plants. Fertilization with 62 ppm N resulted in greater mycorrhiza formation than either 3 or 248 ppm. Increased irradiance resulted in increased mycorrhiza formation.

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Author notes

  1. F. A. Kidd

    Present address: Potlatch Corporation, 83501, Lewiston, ID, USA

  2. S. A. Ekwebelam (Principal Research Officer)

    Present address: Savanna Forestry Research Station, P.M.B. 1039, Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest and Wood Sciences, Colorado State University, 80523, Fort Collins, Co, USA

    C. P. P. Reid, F. A. Kidd & S. A. Ekwebelam (Principal Research Officer)

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Reid, C.P.P., Kidd, F.A. & Ekwebelam, S.A. Nitrogen nutrition, photosynthesis and carbon allocation in ectomycorrhizal pine. Plant Soil 71, 415–431 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182683

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