Elevated pCO2 affects N-metabolism of young poplar plants (Populus tremula x P. alba) differently at deficient and sufficient N-supply

Abstract

The effects of N-availability and elevated atmospheric CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) on growth, allometry and N-metabolism of poplar plants are reported here. Poplar plants were grown hydroponically at deficient and sufficient N-supply under ambient and elevated pCO2. The N-fluxes within the plants were estimated by comparing the fate of newly acquired 15N-NO3- in plants either severely N-limited or with sufficient N-supply. At deficient N-supply, plants accumulated less biomass and exhibited an increased root:shoot ratio compared with sufficient N-supply; a larger fraction of newly acquired 15N was allocated to the youngest leaves immediately after exchange of the nutrient solution. Increasing the external N-supply from deficient to sufficient shifted the site of nitrate reduction from roots to leaves. Elevated pCO2 increased total biomass and the root:shoot ratio at deficient N-supply, but had no effect at sufficient N-supply. Elevated pCO2 decreased rates of N-uptake in both treatments, increased root:shoot ratio at deficient N-supply coincided with enhanced nitrate reduction in the root and elevated pCO2 also enhanced the allocation of newly acquired 15N to the youngest leaves. Root nitrate reduction as a possible factor controlling the root:shoot ratio and N-allocation is discussed.