The effects of radial O-2 loss from roots on nitrification and NO3- availability were studied. Plants of the flooding- resistant species Rumex palustris and the flooding-sensitive species Rumex thyrsiflorus were grown on drained and waterlogged soils with an initially high nitrifying capacity. Nitrate reductase activity in the plant leaves was used as an indicator of NO3- availability to the plants. In a separate experiment these species were shown to have higher levels of nitrate reductase activity when NO3- was added to the soils compared to when on NH4+ was provided. In drained soils nitrification was maintained and both plant species showed relatively high nitrate reductase activities in their leaves. In the water-logged series planted with R. thyrsiflorus, nitrification was inhibited, NH4+ accumulated, and the plants grew less well compared to those on drained soils. In contrast, waterlogged soils planted with R. palustris had a redox potential high enough for O-2 to be continuously replenished. Furthermore, the nitrifying capacity of these latter soils was maintained at a high level. R. palustris grew well and NO3- must have been available to the plant, since a high level of nitrate reductase activity was observed in the leaves. [KEYWORDS: Radial o-2 loss; nitrification; waterlogging; rumex thyrsiflorus; rumex palustris; nitrate reductase; redox potential Flood-tolerance; reductase; nitrification; nitrogen; ammonium;growth]
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)243-248
JournalBiology and Fertility of Soils
Issue number4
StatePublished - 1995

ID: 273624