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Plant delta 15N correlates with the transpiration efficiency of nitrogen acquisition in tropical trees

Cernusak, Lucas A., Winter, K. and Turner, Benjamin L. (2009). Plant delta 15N correlates with the transpiration efficiency of nitrogen acquisition in tropical trees. Plant Physiology,151(3):1667-1676.

Document type: Journal Article
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Title Plant delta 15N correlates with the transpiration efficiency of nitrogen acquisition in tropical trees
Author Cernusak, Lucas A.
Winter, K.
Turner, Benjamin L.
Journal Name Plant Physiology
Publication Date 2009
Volume Number 151
Issue Number 3
ISSN 0032-0889   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 1667
End Page 1676
Total Pages 10
Place of Publication US
Publisher American Society of Plant Biologists
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Based upon considerations of a theoretical model of (15)N/(14)N fractionation during steady-state nitrate uptake from soil, we hypothesized that, for plants grown in a common soil environment, whole-plant delta(15)N (deltaP) should vary as a function of the transpiration efficiency of nitrogen acquisition (F(N)/v) and the difference between deltaP and root delta(15)N (deltaP - deltaR). We tested these hypotheses with measurements of several tropical tree and liana species. Consistent with theoretical expectations, both F(N)/v and deltaP - deltaR were significant sources of variation in deltaP, and the relationship between deltaP and F(N)/v differed between non-N(2)-fixing and N(2)-fixing species. We interpret the correlation between deltaP and F(N)/v as resulting from variation in mineral nitrogen efflux-to-influx ratios across plasma membranes of root cells. These results provide a simple explanation of variation in delta(15)N of terrestrial plants and have implications for understanding nitrogen cycling in ecosystems.
 
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Created: Wed, 24 Mar 2010, 14:46:06 CST by Sarena Wegener