Do plants need nitrate? The mechanisms by which nitrogen form affects plants

• Published in: Annals of applied biology Vol. 163; no. 2; pp. 174 - 199
• Main Authors: Andrews, M, Raven, J.A, Lea, P.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2013; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: ABA; ammonium; ammonium toxicity; atmospheric CO2; auxin; Biological and medical sciences; C3 plants; developmental stages; dry matter partitioning; environmental factors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; leaf development; leaf expansion; low temperature tolerance; mobilisation of seed reserves; nitrate assimilation; nitrates; nitrogen; nitrogen use efficiency; osmoticum; root architecture; seed dormancy; seed germination; shoots; Ammonium; Auxin; Carbon dioxide; Osmoticum; dry matter partitioning; Inorganic element; leaf expansion; Monovalent anion; Abscisic acid; Expansion; Organic compounds; atmospheric CO; Monovalent cation; Vegetals; root architecture; Cold resistance; mobilisation of seed reserves; Inorganic cation; Terpene; Inorganic anion; Applied biology; Atmosphere; Vegetative apparatus; Assimilation; ABA; C; Toxicity; Nitrogen compounds; Dry matter; Nitrates; Mechanism; seed dormancy; Sesquiterpenes; plants; Plant growth substance; C3-Type; C3 plant; ammonium toxicity; Translocation; Growth inhibitor; Macronutrient(mineral); nitrogen use efficiency; low temperature tolerance; Nutrient recovery; Inorganic ion; Plant leaf; Isoprenoid; Mobilization; Inorganic nitrogen; nitrate assimilation
• ISSN: 0003-4746; 1744-7348
• DOI: 10.1111/aab.12045

The literature on nitrogen (N) form effects on plants at different stages of their development has been critically reviewed, assessing the possible mechanisms of these effects. In particular, nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) was compared with the other forms of N utilised by plants. It is concluded that the form of N available to plants can affect their time and rate of seed germination, leaf expansion and function, dry matter partitioning between shoot and root, and root architecture. The magnitude of these effects is dependent on environmental factors outside the supply of N. The mechanism of these effects is variable. Assessment of the importance of root or shoot NO₃ ⁻ assimilation under different environmental conditions is an important area for further study.