Summary
Uptake and assimilation of nitrate by two subspecies ofHypochaeris radicata L. were investigated under laboratory conditions as well as in the field.H. radicata ssp.radicata grows on relatively nitrogen-richer soils thanH. radicata ssp.ericetorum. Attempts were made to relate nitrate uptake and nitrate assimilation in the two subspecies to their different distribution in the field.
No differences between the two subspecies with respect to nitrate uptake and nitrate assimilation were observed under laboratory conditions. In plants from the field intact tissue nitrate reductase was higher in ssp.radicata than in ssp.ericetorum. The nitrate reductase activity of both subspecies responded positively to nitrate addition.
The significance of nitrate uptake capacity and the level of nitrate reductase for the distribution of plants in the field is here discussed.
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Grassland species research group, publ. no.15.
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Van De Dijk, S.J. Two ecologically distinct subspecies ofHypochaeris radicata L.. Plant Soil 56, 465–473 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02143040
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02143040