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Remobilized old-leaf nitrogen predominates for spring growth in two temperate grasses

  1. Ursula Bausenwein1,*,
  2. Peter Millard1,
  3. John A. Raven2

Article first published online: 21 DEC 2001

DOI: 10.1046/j.0028-646X.2001.00262.x

Issue

New Phytologist

New Phytologist

Volume 152, Issue 2, pages 283–290, November 2001

Additional Information

How to Cite

Bausenwein, U., Millard, P. and Raven, J. A. (2001), Remobilized old-leaf nitrogen predominates for spring growth in two temperate grasses. New Phytologist, 152: 283–290. doi: 10.1046/j.0028-646X.2001.00262.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK;

  2. 2

    Biological Sciences, University of Dundee DD1 4HN, UK

*Author for correspondence: Ursula Bausenwein Tel: +44 (0)1224 318 611 Fax: +44 (0)1224 498 206 Email: u.bausenwein@mluri.sari.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 DEC 2001
  2. Article first published online: 21 DEC 2001
  3. Received: 9 March 2001 Accepted: 17 July 2001

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Keywords:

  • Festuca rubra;
  • Agrostis capillaris;
  • perennial grass;
  • nitrogen remobilization;
  • nitrogen translocation;
  • internal cycling;
  • seasonal growth;
  • spring growth

Summary

  • • 
    The importance of N derived from internal remobilization and root uptake to growth in spring is reported here for the perennial grasses Festuca rubra and Agrostis capillaris derived from seminatural grasslands in Scotland, UK.
  • • 
    Plants grown in sand culture, received 15N-enriched nutrient solution during the first year of growth and nutrient solution with N at natural abundance during the subsequent spring and summer when destructive harvests were taken.
  • • 
    Labelled N was recovered in new growth of overwintering tillers and new tillers. Remobilized N contributed 70% and 82% for F. rubra and A. capillaris, respectively, to the total N in new above-ground growth in early spring, declining to 34% and 45%, respectively, by mid June. Species showed similar patterns of remobilization on a new growth biomass basis. The root system did not remobilize N to support new above-ground growth. Labelled N was derived from senescing leaves present on overwintering tillers. Net balances of labelled N suggest that N was translocated between tillers; reproductive tillers acted as sinks, vegetative tillers as the source of N.
  • • 
    Initial growth in spring is largely independent of N uptake from the soil, provided that overwintering leaves are present on the plants.
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