Root respiration of Douglas-fir seedlings: effects of N concentration

Lu, S; Mattson, KG; Zaerr, JB; Marshall, D

HERO ID

93028

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1998

HERO ID 93028
In Press No
Year 1998
Title Root respiration of Douglas-fir seedlings: effects of N concentration
Authors Lu, S; Mattson, KG; Zaerr, JB; Marshall, D
Journal Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Volume 30
Issue 3
Page Numbers 331-336
Abstract Six-month-old Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seedlings were grown at three N concentrations and with controlled root temperatures. Measurements of root respiration were conducted on undisturbed root systems by passing humidified air with 1000 Ál l-1 CO2 through root boxes onto an infrared gas analyzer. The objective was to understand the effects of N on soil respiration by examining total root respiration rate per seedling, specific root respiration rate g-1 root dry wt, and root dry wt after N fertilization. Total respiration rates of seedlings grown at 50 mg l-1 N concentration were significantly higher than those grown at 10 mg l-1 or 200 mg l-1 N concentration. Seedlings grown at N concentration of 200 mg l-1 had significantly smaller roots than those grown at the two lower N concentrations. The specific respiration rate increased as N concentration was increased from 10 to 50 mg l-1 N concentration, but remained constant as N was further increased from 50 to 200 mg l-1. The increase of total respiration rate with the increase in N concentration from 10 to 50 mg l-1 was attributed to the increase in specific respiration, whereas the subsequent decrease in total respiration with the increase in N concentration from 50 to 200 mg l-1 was attributed to the decrease in root dry wt. The depression of soil respiration after the addition of N fertilizers to relatively fertile soil may be explained by reduced root and mycorrhizal mycelial growth.
Doi 10.1016/S0038-0717(97)00134-X
Wosid WOS:000072509400007
Url http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S003807179700134X
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments ECRIB.Root respiration of Douglas-fir seedlings: effects of N concentration.Soil Biol. Biochem. 30: 331-336.
Is Public Yes
Is Qa No