Relationships between biological nitrogen fixation and leaf resorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the rain-fed region of eastern Gansu, China

doi:10.11686/cyxb2016235

Abstract

Abstract: Leaf nutrient resorption is influenced by many factors, and is one of the most important strategies to enhance nutrient use efficiency and adaptability in adverse environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and leaf nutrient resorption. We analyzed lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Longdong) stands of different ages (2, 4, 7, 11, and 14 years since establishment) in the rain-fed region of eastern Gansu, China. Plant samples were taken at the early flowering stage to measure the concentrations of nitrogen and δ¹⁵N, phosphorus, and potassium in green and senesced leaves. The resorption efficiencies of N and P (NRE and PRE, respectively) first increased and then decreased with stand age, while the changes in potassium resorption efficiency (KRE) showed a different pattern. The NRE ranged from 28.4% to 43.4% with an average of 36.5%, and PRE ranged from 38.1% to 68.2% and averaged 52.6%. The highest NRE and PRE were in the 7-year-old stand. The KRE values of 2-, 11-, and 14-year-old lucerne stands ranged from 23.0% to 27.5%, while they were less than zero in the 4- and 7-year-old stands. As the stands aged, the K, N, and P resorption proficiencies (KRP, NRP, and PRP, respectively) showed different patterns of change from those of resorption efficiencies. The percentage of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) tended to decrease first and then increase with stand age, and averaged 51.0%, with the minimum value in the 7-year-old stand. There were negative correlations between %Ndfa and NRE, PRE, and KRP, but few relationships between %Ndfa and KRE, NRP, and PRP. These results suggested that there is a close link between nutrient resorption and BNF in lucerne and that BNF affects NRE, PRE, and KRP.

DUAN Bing-Hong, LU Jiao-Yun, LIU Min-Guo, YANG Mei, WANG Ya-Ya, WANG Zhen-Nan, YANG Hui-Min. Relationships between biological nitrogen fixation and leaf resorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the rain-fed region of eastern Gansu, China[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2016, 25(12): 76-83.

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