Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02098.x
Title (Primary) Microbial activities and foliar uptake of nitrogen in the epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea gigantea
Author Inselsbacher, E.; Cambui, C.A.; Richter, A.; Stange, C.F.; Mercier, H.; Wanek, W.
Source Titel New Phytologist
Year 2007
Department BOPHY
Volume 175
Issue 2
Page From 311
Page To 320
Language englisch
Keywords N-15 uptake; nitrogen nutrition; nitrogen transformation; tank bromeliad; vascular epiphyte; Vriesea gigantea
Abstract In contrast to terrestrial plants, epiphytic tank bromeliads take up nutrients mainly over their tank leaf surface. The form in which nutrients are available in the tanks is determined by the source and the complex interplay between tank microbes, which transform them and the epiphytes that take them up. To elucidate the importance of different nitrogenous compounds for the nitrogen (N) nutrition of Vriesea gigantea from the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil, N transformation processes in tank water as well as foliar uptake rates were estimated by N-15 labelling techniques. Microorganisms actively transformed N compounds in the tank. Specifically, organic N compounds were rapidly mineralized to NH4+, while nitrification was negligible. Plants took up both organic and inorganic N forms, with a clear preference for NH4+. NH4+ comprised the largest and, because of fast mineralization rates, the most constant dissolved N pool in the tank water. Excretion of ureases by the plants together with an unusual uptake kinetic for urea also suggests that urea may be potentially important as an N source.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=1901
Inselsbacher, E., Cambui, C.A., Richter, A., Stange, C.F., Mercier, H., Wanek, W. (2007):
Microbial activities and foliar uptake of nitrogen in the epiphytic bromeliad Vriesea gigantea
New Phytol. 175 (2), 311 - 320 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02098.x