Physiological indicators of nitrogen response in short-rotation sycamore plantations. [Platanus occidentalis L]

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA)

OSTI ID:6993199

Tschaplinski, T J; Norby, R J ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) seedlings were grown in the field under urea-nitrogen fertilization regimes to identify physiological variables that characterize the growth responses. Treatments included trees fertilized at the beginning of the growing season with 450 kg N/ha, trees fertilized periodically (three times during the growing season) at 37.5 kg N/ha, and unfertilized controls. Above ground biomass accumulation in the heaviest nitrogen treatment was three times that of the controls, and nearly as much growth occurred when less nitrogen was added periodically. Photosynthesis, chlorophyll concentrations, and growth increased rapidly after a midseason application of a small amount of nitrogen, but not to a late-season application. There was no evidence that fertilization extended the physiologically active season or increased susceptibility to drought or cold. Sycamore leaves accumulated sucrose and mannose in response to water and cold stress in all treatments. Photosynthetic pigment concentrations, net photosynthetic rate, and leaf nitrate reductase activity were sensitive indicators of nitrogen fertilization, but foliar concentrations of nitrate, total nitrogen, soluble carbohydrate and soluble protein were not.

• OSTI ID: 6993199
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA), Vol. 89:4; ISSN 0079-2241
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
NITROGEN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
SYCAMORES
SHORT ROTATION CULTIVATION
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CHLOROPHYLL
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PHYSIOLOGY
PLANT GROWTH
SEEDLINGS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
NONMETALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTEINS
SYNTHESIS
TREES
551000* - Physiological Systems