Abstract
A controlled experiment with Pinus tabuliformis Carr Seedlings was conducted to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N) deposition on the growth of plant organs by influencing the distribution of different hormones in plant organs and provide an important reference for understanding forestland governance and forest regeneration under global atmospheric N deposition. Seedlings of P. tabuliformis were subjected to 0, 3, 6, 12 g of N m−2 year−1, then growth parameters and hormone concentration (trans-zeatin riboside (ZR), gibberellin (GA1+3), indole acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA)) in leaf, stem, total root, coarse root (diameters > 2 mm), fine root (1–2 mm) and finest root (0–1 mm) were measured. The results showed that N addition increased the growth of all the plant organs, decreased the ratio of underground (the whole root) to aboveground (leaf and stem) growth, which is in line with the functional balance hypothesis. Additionally, N addition increased the ZR concentration in stems, while decreasing the ABA concentration in leaves and whole roots and the GA1+3 concentration in whole roots, but IAA concentration was not significantly influenced by N addition. Furthermore, the stem growth was mainly affected by the synergistic effect of ZR and GA1+3, while the leaf and total root growth was mainly impacted synergistically by ZR and IAA. Additionally, the root growth at each diameter class was also regulated by different hormones. In conclusion, N addition can change the distribution pattern of endogenous hormones in different plant organs and roots of different diameter classes, thereby regulating growth of Pinus seedlings, and the changes in growth are the result of the coordinated regulation of various hormones.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The datasets used or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Code availability
Authors declare that software application supports our submitting.
References
Albacete A, Ghanem ME, Martínez-Andújar C, Acosta M, Sánchez-Bravo J, Martínez V, Lutts S, Dodd IC, Pérez-Alfocea F (2008) Hormonal changes in relation to biomass partitioning and shoot growth impairment in salinized tomato (solanum lycopersicum L.) plants. J Exp Bot 59:4119–4131. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ern251
Bai TH, Yin R, Li CY, Ma FW, Yue ZY, Shu HR (2011) Comparative analysis of endogenous hormones in leaves and roots of two contrasting malus species in Response to Hypoxia Stress. J Plant Growth Regul 30:119–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-010-9173-9
Ciura J, Kruk J (2018) Phytohormones as targets for improving plant productivity and stress tolerance. J Plant Physiol 229:32–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2018.06.013
Depuydt S, Hardtke CS (2011) Hormone signalling crosstalk in plant growth regulation. Curr Biol 21(9):R365–R373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.03.013
Duce RA, Liss PS, Merrill JT, Atlas EL, Buat-Menard P, Hicks BB, Miller JM, Prospero JM, Arimoto R, Church TM (1991) The atmospheric input of trace species to the world ocean. Global Biogeochem Cycles 5(3):193–259. https://doi.org/10.1029/91GB01778
Galloway JN, Dentener FJ, Capone DG, Capone DG, Boyer EW, Howarth RW, Seitzinger SP, Asner GP, Cleveland CC, Green PA, Holland EA, Karl DM, Michaels AF, Porter JH, Townsend AR, Vöosmarty CJ (2004) Nitrogen cycles: past, present, and future. Biogeochemistry 70:153–226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-004-0370-0
Goulding KWT, Bailey NJ, Bradbury NJ, Hargreaves P, Howe M, Murphy DV, Poulton PR, Willison TW (1998) Nitrogen deposition and its contribution to nitrogen cycling and associated soil processes. New Phytol 139(1):49–58. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.1998.00182.x
Jia S, McLaughlin NB, Gu J, Li X, Wang Z (2013) Relationships between root respiration rate and root morphology, chemistry and anatomy in Larix g-melinii and Fraxinus mandshurica. Tree Physiol 33(6):579–589. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpt040
Jing H, Zhou HX, Wang GL, Xue S, Liu GB, Duan MC (2017) Nitrogen addition changes the stoichiometry and growth rate of different organs in Pinus tabuliformis seedlings. Front Plant Sci 8:1922. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01922
LeBauer DS, Treseder KK (2008) Nitrogen limitation of net primary productivity in terrestrial ecosystems is globally distributed. Ecology 89(2):371–379. https://doi.org/10.1890/06-2057.1
Li XY, Wang LH, Wang SM, Yang Q, Zhou Q, Huang XH (2018) A prelimi-nary analysis of the effects of bisphenol A on the plant root growth via changes in endogenous plant hormones. Ecotox Environ Safe 150:152–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.12.031
Liang B, Sun Y, Li ZY, Zhang XY, Yin BY, Zhou SS, Xu JZ (2020) Crop load influences growth and hormone changes in the roots of “Red Fuji” apple. Front Plant Sci 11:665. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00665
Liu Y, Ding YF, Wang QS, Meng DX, Wang SH (2011) Effects of nitrogen and 6-Benzylaminopurine on rice tiller bud growth and changes in endogenous hormones and nitrogen. Crop Sci 51(2):786–792. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2010.04.0217
Matson P, Lohse KA, Hall SJ (2002) The globalization of nitrogen deposition: consequences for terrestrial ecosystems. Ambio 31(2):113–119. https://doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447-31.2.113
Mercier H, Kerbauy GB, Sotta B, Miginiac E (1997) Effects of NO3, NH4+ and urea nutrition on endogenous levels of IAA and four cytokinins in two epiphytic bromeliads. Plant Cell Environ 20(3):387–392. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3040.1997.d01-72.x
Olatunji D, Geelen D, Verstraeten I (2017) Control of endogenous auxin levels in plant root development. Int J Mol Sci 18(12):2587. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18122587
Pregitzer KS, Laskowski MJ, Burton AJ, Lessard VC, Zak DR (1998) Variation in sugar maple root respiration with root diameter and soil depth. Tree Physiol 18(10):665–670. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/18.10.665
Rahayu YS, Walch-Liu P, Neumann G, Römheld V, von Wirén N, Bangerth F (2005) Root-derived cytokinins as long-distance signals for NO3–induced stimulation of leaf growth. J Exp Bot 56(414):1143–1152. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eri107
Ramon U, Weiss D, Illouz-Eliaz N (2020) Underground gibberellin activity: differential gibberellin response in tomato shoots and roots. New Phytol. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16876
Sakakibara H (2006) Cytokinins: activity, biosynthesis, and translocation. Annu Rev Plant Biol 57:431–449. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.arplant.57.032905.105231
Si CC, Shi CY, Liu HJ, Zhan XD, Liu YC, Wang DD, Meng D, Tang LX (2018) Influence of two nitrogen forms on hormone metabolism in potential storage roots and storage root number of sweetpotato. Crop Sci 58(6):2558–2568. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2018.01.0067
Takei K, Sakakibara H, Taniguchi M, Sugiyama T (2001) Nitrogen-dependent accumulation of cytokinins in root and the translocation to leaf: implication of cytokinin species that induces gene expression of maize response regulator. Plant Cell Physiol 42(1):85–93. https://doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pce009
Tanimoto E (2012) Tall or short? Slender or thick? A plant strategy for regulating elongation growth of roots by low concentrations of gibberellin. Ann Bot 110(2):373–381. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcs049
Vitousek PM, Aber JD, Howarth RW, Likens GE, Matson PA, Schindler DW, Schlesinger WH, Tilman DG (1997) Human alteration of the global nitrogen cycle: sources and consequences. Ecol Appl 7(3):737–750. https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(1997)007[0737:HAOTGN]2.0.CO;2
Wagner BM, Beck E (1993) Cytokinins in the perennial herb Urtica dioica L. as influenced by its nitrogen status. Planta 190:511–518. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224790
Wang GL, Liu F (2014) Carbon allocation of Chinese pine seedlings along a nitrogen addition gradient. Forest Ecol Manag 334:114–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.09.004
Wang B, Lai T, Huang QW, Yang XM, Shen QR (2009) Effect of N fertilizers on root growth and endogenous hormones in strawberry. Pedosphere 19(1):86–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(08)60087-9
Wang GL, Fahey TJ, Xue S, Liu F (2013) Root morphology and architecture respond to N addition in Pinus tabuliformis, west China. Oecologia 171:583–590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-012-2441-6
Wang GL, Liu F, Xue S (2017) Nitrogen addition enhanced water uptake by affecting fine root morphology and coarse root anatomy of Chinese pine seedlings. Plant Soil 418:177–189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3283-0
Wang B, Gong JH, Zhang ZH, Yang B, Liu M, Zhu CC, Shi JY, Zhang WY, Yue KX (2019) Nitrogen addition alters photosynthetic carbon fixation, allocation of photoassimilates, and carbon partitioning of Leymus chinensis in a temperate grassland of Inner Mongolia. Agr Forest Meteorol 279:107743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2019.107743
Wen T, Dong LJ, Wang L, Ma FW, Zou YJ, Li CY (2018) Changes in root architecture and endogenous hormone levels in two Malus rootstocks under alkali stress. Sci Hortic 235:198–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.09.015
Xiao F, Yang ZQ, Huang HJ, Yang F, Zhu LY, Han D (2018) Nitrogen fertilization in soil affects physiological characteristics and quality of green tea leaves. HortScience 53(5):715–722. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12897-18
Xu XT, Liu HY, Wang W, Song ZL (2018) Patterns and determinants of the response of plant biomass to addition of nitrogen in semi-arid and alpine grasslands of China. J Arid Environ 153:11–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2018.01.002
Yong JW, Wong SC, Letham DS, Hocart CH, Farquhar GD (2000) Effects of elevated [CO2] and nitrogen nutrition on cytokinins in the xylem sap and leaves of cotton. Plant Physiol 124(2):767–780. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.124.2.767
Zhang YJ, Li A, Liu XQ, Sun JX, Guo WJ, Zhang JW, Lyu YM (2019) Changes in the morphology of the bud meristem and the levels of endogenous hormones after low temperature treatment of different Phalaenopsis cultivars. S Afr J Bot 125:499–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2019.08.016
Zhao Q, Zeng DH (2019) Nitrogen addition effects on tree growth and soil properties mediated by soil phosphorus availability and tree species identity. Forest Ecol Manag 449:117478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117478
Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to all the students who assisted with the experiments. We also thank all the teachers and laboratory administrators for their help with the operation of our experimental instruments as well as experimental difficulties.
Funding
This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41671513, 42077456) and the National Key Research and Development Program of Chin (2017YFC0504601).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors contributed to the study. Material preparation and data collection were performed by KC and FW. Related citation search and draft modification were performed by JT. Data analysis and the draft were performed by YP. Research design, paper framework and subsequent revision were all completed under the guidance of YM and GW. All authors already read the manuscript and approved it.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
All authors declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Peng, Y., Chen, K., Wang, G. et al. Nitrogen addition regulates the growth of Pinus tabuliformis by changing distribution patterns of endogenous hormones in different organs. New Forests 54, 853–865 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-022-09947-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-022-09947-5