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Plants and mycorrhizal symbionts acquire substantial soil nitrogen from gaseous ammonia transport

Journal Article · · New Phytologist
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17527· OSTI ID:1814108
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  3. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States); Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States). Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability; Technische Univ. Munchen, Garching (Germany). Inst. for Advanced Study
+ Show Author Affiliations
Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient that limits plant growth in many ecosystems. Here we investigate an overlooked component of the terrestrial N cycle – subsurface ammonia (NH3) gas transport and its contribution to plant and mycorrhizal N acquisition. In this work, we used controlled mesocosms, soil incubations, stable isotopes, and imaging to investigate edaphic drivers of NH3 gas efflux, track lateral subsurface N transport originating from 15NH3 gas or 15N-enriched organic matter, and assess plant and mycorrhizal N assimilation from this gaseous transport pathway. NH3 is released from soil organic matter, travels belowground, and contributes to root and fungal N content. Abiotic soil properties (pH and texture) influence the quantity of NH3 available for subsurface transport. Mutualisms with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can substantially increase plant NH3-N uptake. The grass Brachypodium distachyon acquired 6–9% of total plant N from organic matter-N that traveled as a gas belowground. Colonization by the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis was associated with a two-fold increase in total plant N acquisition from subsurface NH3 gas. NH3 gas transport and uptake pathways may be fundamentally different from those of more commonly studied soil N species and warrant further research.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1814108
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL--814366; 1022896
Journal Information:
New Phytologist, Journal Name: New Phytologist Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 231; ISSN 0028-646X
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
NH3
ammonia
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
nitrogen
plant
soil