Different Nitrate and Ammonium Ratios Affect Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Camellia oleifera Abel. Seedlings

Abstract

Camellia oleifera Abel., is an important woody plant, and its fruit contains high-quality edible oil. Production of C. oleifera has significantly expanded over the last 20 years in China. Due to the lack of appropriate information on nutrient management, its production has encountered low yield and low oil quality problems. As nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient and the most abundant in C. oleifera tissues, the present study investigated effects of different ratios of nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) on the growth of a cultivar Xianglin 27 at the seedling stage. Uniform seedlings were grown in a soil-based substrate in containers and fertigated with solutions composed of six ratios of NO3− and NH4+, respectively for five months. Results showed that C. oleifera prefers both NO3− and NH4+ at a ratio of 1:1. Seedlings receiving this solution had the highest total N in leaves and total dry weight; elevated chrolophyll, soluble saccharide and protein contents as well as higher activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT). Our study shows for the first time that N supply for producing C. oleifera should be an equal ratio of NO3− and NH4+.

Towards to understanding the preliminary loss and absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus under different treatments in cotton drip- irrigation in northwest Xinjiang

“…Both ammonium (NH 4 + ) and nitrate (NO 3 − ) are the major inorganic sources of N for plants [43][44][45][46][47][48]. Both of them have a significant effect on crop growth and must be managed appropriately to maximize plant growth and NUE.…”

Nitrogen preference and genetic variation of cotton genotypes for nitrogen use efficiency

“…Both ammonium (NH 4 + ) and nitrate (NO 3 − ) are the major inorganic sources of N for plants . It is well known that both rates and sources of N fertilizers have a significant effect on crop growth and development and must be managed appropriately to maximize plant growth and NUE .…”

“…It is well known that both rates and sources of N fertilizers have a significant effect on crop growth and development and must be managed appropriately to maximize plant growth and NUE . Generally, most of the crops prefer nitrate source of N, however, plants grown in acidic soils prefer ammonium source . The preference of either source depends on several factors like plant species, stage of the plant, time of application, climate, weather, and location .…”

“…Both ammonium (NH 4 + ) and nitrate (NO 3 − ) are the major inorganic sources of N for plants. 10,11 It is well known that both rates and sources of N fertilizers have a significant effect on crop growth and development 12 and must be managed appropriately to maximize plant growth and NUE. 13,14 Generally, most of the crops prefer nitrate source of N, 15 however, plants grown in acidic soils prefer ammonium source.…”

“…13,14 Generally, most of the crops prefer nitrate source of N, 15 however, plants grown in acidic soils prefer ammonium source. 11 The preference of either source depends on several factors like plant species, 16 stage of the plant, time of application, climate, weather, and location. 17 After uptake, the ammonium ion is mostly assimilated in the root avoiding accumulation of high amounts of free ammonium that would dissipate the transmembrane proton gradients required for respiratory electron transport and for sequestering metabolites in the vacuole.…”