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Distinct effect of pH on N uptake and assimilation in two conifer species

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Abstract

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Prince Rupprecht’s Larch from the Loess Plateau takes up and assimilates a greater proportion of N as NO − 3 , particularly at neutral pH, whereas Chinese Fir assimilates a greater proportion of N as NH + 4 , particularly at low pH levels.

Abstract

The effects of pH on nitrate and ammonium uptake and assimilation in two coniferous species were compared. Prince Rupprecht’s Larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr) grows on the loess plateau in alkaline soils with low available nitrogen (N), whereas Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) grows in acidic soils. In the present study, the net fluxes in ammonium (NH4 +) and nitrate (NO −3 ) were measured using a non-invasive microelectrode ion flux measurement system, and the expression of NH4 + and NO −3 transporters (AMTs and NRTs, respectively) as well as H+-ATPase was examined to provide insights into the N uptake mechanisms in Prince Rupprecht’s Larch and Chinese Fir. The enzyme assays involved in N assimilation were also determined. For Prince Rupprecht’s Larch, low pH (pH 4) resulted in a decrease in net ammonium uptake, which remained unchanged in Chinese Fir. Net nitrate uptake in Prince Rupprecht’s Larch and Chinese Fir was much lower in soils with pH 4 relative to those with pH 7. Low pH significantly decreased the H+-ATPase activity and the expression level of NRTs in roots of Prince Rupprecht’s Larch. However, the expression level of AMTs in Prince Rupprecht’s Larch was significantly higher at pH 7 than at pH 4. The H+-ATPase activity in roots of Chinese Fir remained unaltered in response to changes in pH, and the transcript abundances of AMTs and NRTs were down-regulated by low pH. Low pH decreased N assimilation in both conifer species with the exception of NH4 + assimilation in Chinese Fir, which displayed higher glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthetase (GOGAT activities) at low pH. Prince Rupprecht’s Larch from the Loess Plateau takes up and assimilates a greater proportion of N as NO −3 , particularly at neutral pH, whereas Chinese Fir assimilates a greater proportion of N as NH4 +, particularly at low pH levels. This study contributes to our understanding of nitrogen metabolism mechanisms in response to pH changes.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the State Key Basic Research Development Program (973 Program, Grant No. 2012CB416902). We thank the numerous students and laboratory staff from Northwest A&F University who assisted in the laboratory experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Environment and Ecology in Western China of Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China

    Sen Meng, Chun-xia Zhang, Li Su, Yi-Ming Li & Zhong Zhao

  2. State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China

    Yang Cao

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  1. Sen Meng
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  2. Chun-xia Zhang
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  3. Li Su
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  4. Yi-Ming Li
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  5. Yang Cao
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  6. Zhong Zhao
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Correspondence to Sen Meng.

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Communicated by H. Rennenberg.

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Meng, S., Zhang, Cx., Su, L. et al. Distinct effect of pH on N uptake and assimilation in two conifer species. Trees 30, 1607–1618 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-016-1394-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-016-1394-5

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