Interdependence of Nitrogen Nutrition and Photosynthesis in Pisum sativum L: I. Effect of Combined Nitrogen on Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation and Photosynthesis

Abstract

Photosynthesis, primary productivity, N content, and N(2) fixation were determined as a function of applied NH(4) (+) in peas (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) which were inoculated or not inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum. Cabon dioxide exchange rate (CER) increased 10-fold, total N content 7-fold, and total dry weight 3-fold in 26-day-old uninoculated plants as applied NH(4) (+) was increased from 0 to 16 millimolar. In inoculated plants of the same age CER and dry weight were maximal at 2 millimolar NH(4) (+), and total N content increased between 0 and 2 millimolar NH(4) (+) but did not change significantly with higher NH(4) (+) applications. Per cent N content of uninoculated plants was significantly lower than that of inoculated plants except at the highest NH(4) (+) concentration (16 millimolar). Symbiotic N(2) fixation by inoculated plants was maximal in peas grown with 2 millimolar NH(4) (+); and apparent relative efficiency of N(2) fixation, calculated from C(2)H(2) reduction and H(2) evolution, was maximal in the 2 to 4 millimolar NH(4) (+) concentration range. The capacity to fix N(2) through the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis significantly enhanced the rate and efficiency of photosynthesis and plant N content when NH(4) (+) concentration in the nutrient solution was below 8 millimolar. Above 8 millimolar NH(4) (+) concentration uninoculated plants had greater CER, N content, and dry weight.