A Dual 13C and 15N Long Term Labelling Technique to Investigate Uptake and Translocation of C and N in Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

• Published in: Isotopes in environmental and health studies Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 63 - 78
• Main Authors: Dyckmans, J., Flessa, H., Shangguan, Z., Beese, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 2000
• Subjects: Carbon - pharmacokinetics; carbon 13; Carbon allocation; Carbon Isotopes; Fagus sylvatica; growth chambers; Humans; Isotope Labeling; Nitrogen - pharmacokinetics; nitrogen 15; nitrogen allocation; Nitrogen Isotopes; nutrient uptake; Trees - metabolism
• ISSN: 1025-6016; 1477-2639
• DOI: 10.1080/10256010008032933

A continuous dual 13 CO 2 and 15 NH 4 15 NO 3 labelling experimental set-up is presented that was used to investigate the C and N uptake and allocation within 3-year old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) during one growing season. The C and N allocation pattern was determined after six, twelve and eighteen weeks of growth. The carbon uptake was distinctly different in the three phases examined: The first six weeks after budbreak were dedicated to leaf growth with a R/S (root to shoot) ratio of 0.14 for the new carbon. The second growth phase showed a balanced R/S ratio of C allocation and after week 13, the root compartment was the main carbon sink (R/S = 6.97). Nitrogen allocation was more basipetal as compared to carbon. In the second growth phase, R/S of N new was 5.57 but fell to 3.54 for the third growth phase probably due to formation of reserves in buds and stem.