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Boreal forest plants take up organic nitrogen

Author

Listed:
  • Torgny Näsholm

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Alf Ekblad

    (Section of Soil Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Annika Nordin

    (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Reiner Giesler

    (Section of Soil Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Mona Högberg

    (Section of Soil Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Peter Högberg

    (Section of Soil Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

Abstract

Plant growth in the boreal forest, the largest terrestrial biome, is generally limited by the availability of nitrogen. The presumed cause of this limitation is slow mineralization of soil organic nitrogen1,2. Here we demonstrate, to our knowledge for the first time, the uptake of organic nitrogen in the field by the trees Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies, the dwarf shrub Vaccinium myrtillus and the grass Deschampsia flexuosa. These results show that these plants, irrespective of their different types of root–fungal associations (mycorrhiza), bypass nitrogen mineralization. A trace of the amino acid glycine, labelled with the stable isotopes 13C and 15N, was injected into the organic (mor) layer of an old successional boreal coniferous forest. Ratios of 13C:15N in the roots showed that at least 91, 64 and 42% of the nitrogen from the absorbed glycine was taken up in intact glycine by the dwarf shrub, the grass and the trees, respectively. Rates of glycine uptake were similar to those of 15N-ammonium. Our data indicate that organic nitrogen is important for these different plants, even when they are competing with each other and with non-symbiotic microorganisms. This has major implications for our understanding of the effects of nitrogen deposition, global warming and intensified forestry.

Suggested Citation

  • Torgny Näsholm & Alf Ekblad & Annika Nordin & Reiner Giesler & Mona Högberg & Peter Högberg, 1998. "Boreal forest plants take up organic nitrogen," Nature, Nature, vol. 392(6679), pages 914-916, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:392:y:1998:i:6679:d:10.1038_31921
    DOI: 10.1038/31921
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiamin Wu & Siru Chen & Yunze Ruan & Wei Gao, 2023. "Combinatorial Effects of Glycine and Inorganic Nitrogen on Root Growth and Nitrogen Nutrition in Maize ( Zea mays L.)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Panteng Wan & Kangning Xiong & Le Zhang, 2022. "Heterogeneity of Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Nitrogen in the Karst Rocky Desertification Soils and Its Implications for Ecosystem Service Support of the Desertification Control—A Literature Revie," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Bertrand Hirel & Thierry Tétu & Peter J. Lea & Frédéric Dubois, 2011. "Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Crops for Sustainable Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(9), pages 1-34, September.

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