Determining the role of N remobilization for growth of apple (Malus domestica Borkh) trees by measuring xylem-sap N flux.

The contribution of N remobilization to the seasonal growth of field-grown Malus domestica (apple) trees was measured using two different techniques. 'Fuji' trees grafted on M.9 apple rootstocks were planted in the field and fertilized and irrigated for two growing seasons. During the second year, the trees received 15N-labelled fertilizer and destructive harvests were taken during the spring and summer to determine the pattern of N remobilization and uptake. At the same time, patterns of N translocation in the xylem were measured by sampling saps at each harvest and analysing them for their constituent amino acids and amides. Total water flux through the trunk xylem was also measured throughout the sampling period using the heat balance technique. The flux of amino compounds in the xylem was then calculated to see if this approach could quantify remobilization. Most of the N for leaf growth was provided by remobilization, which lasted for some 40 d following bud-burst. The labelled N was not taken up until 14 d after remobilization had started. The predominant amino compounds recovered in the xylem were Asn, Asp, Arg, and Gln, whose concentration peaked during remobilization, except for Arg whose concentration was highest at bud-break and declined thereafter. The amount of N translocated in the xylem as Asn, Asp and Gln correlated well with the amount of N remobilized (as measured by the recovery of unlabelled N in the new above-ground growth). The data suggest that Arg is translocated predominantly as a consequence of root uptake and they are discussed in relation to measuring N remobilization in field-grown trees.

Remobilization and uptake of N by newly planted apple (Malus domestica) trees in response to irrigation method and timing of N application.

Environmentally sound management of N in apple orchards requires that N supply meets demand. In 1997, newly planted apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh. var. Golden Delicious on M.9 rootstock) received daily applications of N for six weeks as Ca(15NO3)(2) through a drip irrigation system at a concentration of 112 mg l(-1) at 2-8, 5-11 or 8-14 weeks after planting. Irrigation water was applied either to meet estimated evaporative demand or at a fixed rate. In 1997, trees were harvested at 5, 8, 11 and 14 weeks after planting; and in 1998 at 3 weeks after full bloom. The amount of fertilizer N recovered was similar in trees in both irrigation treatments, but efficiency of fertilizer use was greater for trees receiving demand-controlled irrigation than fixed-rate irrigation. This was attributed to lower N inputs, greater retention time in the root zone and less N leaching in the demand-controlled irrigation treatments compared with fixed-rate irrigation treatments. Less fertilizer N was recovered by trees receiving an early application of N than a later application of N and this was related to the timing of N supply with respect to tree demand. Demand for root-supplied N was low until 11 weeks after planting, because early shoot and root growth was supported by N remobilized from woody tissue, which involved 55% of the total tree N content at planting. Rapid development of roots > 1 mm in diameter occurred between 11 and 14 weeks after planting, after remobilization ended, and was greater for trees receiving an early application of N than for trees receiving a later application of N. Late-season tree N demand was supplied by native soil N, and uptake and background soil solution N concentrations were higher for trees receiving demand-supplied irrigation compared with fixed-rate irrigation. Total annual N uptake by roots was unaffected by treatments and averaged 6-8 g tree(-1). Nitrogen applications in 1997 affected growth and N partitioning in 1998. Trees receiving early applications of N had more flowers, spur leaves and bourse shoots than trees receiving later applications of N. Consequently, more N was remobilized into fruits in trees receiving early applications of N compared with fruits in trees receiving later applications of N. Demand for N in the young apple trees was low. Early season demand was met by remobilization from woody tissues and the timing of demand for root-supplied N probably depends on whether flowering occurs. Method of N delivery affected the efficiency of N use. We conclude that N demand can be met at soil solution N concentrations of around 20 mg l(-1).

Sources of N for leaf growth in a high-density apple (Malus domestica) orchard irrigated with ammonium nitrate solution.

Elstar apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) on M.9 rootstock received either 5 or 35 g N tree(-1) year(-1) during the first two growing seasons after planting, applied as Ca(NO(3))(2) on a daily basis for nine weeks through a drip irrigation system. During the third growing season (1994), all trees were treated with 20 g N tree(-1) year(-1) as (15)NH(4) (15)NO(3) with applications starting on April 22 and continuing for 10 weeks. Soil solution nitrate-N and ammonium-N were monitored weekly with suction lysimeters located 30 cm beneath the drip emitters. Spur and shoot leaves were sampled intensively from full bloom to the end of rapid shoot growth. During the period of nitrogen application, soil solution nitrate-N and ammonium-N were relatively constant, at about 24 and 1.0 mg l(-1) respectively. Growth of the spur leaves was completed by one week after full bloom (May 12), whereas biomass of the shoot leaves increased until mid-June. Nitrogen for growth of the spur leaves was supplied mainly from remobilization, which was dependent on previous N supply. Accumulation of fertilizer N in spur leaves was independent of previous N treatments and continued until the end of the monitoring period (June 24), but contributed only 13% to total spur leaf N. Nitrogen for shoot leaf growth was independent of previous N treatments and was initially supplied primarily by remobilization, but by the end of extension growth, fertilizer N contributed 48% to total shoot leaf N. Linear increases in leaf N uptake throughout the period of rapid shoot growth and the large contribution of fertilizer N to total shoot leaf N were attributed to the constant supply of N available in the root zone through daily N fertilization.