Dataset Information

Differences in Root Nitrogen Uptake Between Tropical Lowland Rainforests and Oil Palm Plantations.

ABSTRACT: Conversion of lowland tropical rainforests to intensely fertilized agricultural land-use systems such as oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations leads to changes in nitrogen (N) cycling. Although soil microbial-driven N dynamics has been largely studied, the role of the plant as a major component in N uptake has rarely been considered. We address this gap by comparing the root N contents and uptake in lowland rainforests with that in oil palm plantations on Sumatra, Indonesia. To this aim, we applied 15N-labeled ammonium to intact soil, measured the 15N recovery in soil and roots, and calculated the root relative N uptake efficiency for 10 days after label application. We found that root N contents were by one third higher in the rainforest than oil palm plantations. However, 15N uptake efficiency was similar in the two systems. This finding suggests that lower N contents in oil palm roots were likely caused by plant internal utilization of the absorbed N (e.g., N export to fruit bunches) than by lower ability to take up N from the soil. 15N recovery in roots was primarily driven by the amount of root biomass, which was higher in oil palm plantation than rainforest. The oil palms unveiled a high capacity to acquire N, offering the possibility of enhancing sustainable plantation management by reducing N fertilizer application.

SUBMITTER: Edy N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7053111 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Differences in Root Nitrogen Uptake Between Tropical Lowland Rainforests and Oil Palm Plantations.

Edy Nur N Yelianti Upik U Irawan Bambang B Polle Andrea A Pena Rodica R

Frontiers in plant science 20200225

Conversion of lowland tropical rainforests to intensely fertilized agricultural land-use systems such as oil palm (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i>) plantations leads to changes in nitrogen (N) cycling. Although soil microbial-driven N dynamics has been largely studied, the role of the plant as a major component in N uptake has rarely been considered. We address this gap by comparing the root N contents and uptake in lowland rainforests with that in oil palm plantations on Sumatra, Indonesia. To this ai ...[more]

PMID: 32161607

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Dataset Information

Differences in Root Nitrogen Uptake Between Tropical Lowland Rainforests and Oil Palm Plantations.

Publications

Differences in Root Nitrogen Uptake Between Tropical Lowland Rainforests and Oil Palm Plantations.

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