| Abstract: | The effects of different forms and concentrations of N in the rooting medium on the CO2/H2O gas exchange of leaves of the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) were investigated. Two-year-old seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions containing low (1.8 mM) or high (4.8 mM) concentrations of NH4+, 3.6 mM NO3?, or both NH4+ and NO3? (1.8 mM + 1.8 mM). In various sets of plants subjected to these N treatments, the following parameters were determined: biomasses of leaves and fine roots, leaf area-related net photosynthesis at light saturation (A) and leaf conductance (g), foliar concentrations of chlorophylls, N, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ and the ash alkalinity of the leaves (as a measure of the carboxylate content). In all treatments, the leaves were equally well supplied with nutrients. Oaks grown in high NH4+ concentrations produced significantly smaller leaf and root biomasses. Compared to oaks cultivated with both N forms or with low NH4+ concentration, oaks grown with high NH4+ supply showed lower values of A and g, but no significant differences in ash alkalinity and leaf area-related chlorophyll concentrations. Oaks fed with NO3? as the only N form had an intermediate biomass production, but low values of A and g. The time courses of A in the different treatments closely followed the patterns of g. In all N treatments, the same linear relationship was found between A and g, indicating that, within a rather wide range, the variation in the form and amount of supplied N does not affect the instantaneous water use efficiency of young pedunculate oaks. |
