1、Nitrogen Journey in Plants: From Uptake to Metabolism, Stress Response

Plants uptake and assimilate nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrate, ammonium ions, and available amino acids from organic sources. Plant nitrate and ammonium transporters are responsible for nitrate and ammonium translocation from the soil into the roots.

2、Understanding Nitrogen Assimilation in Plants

Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂), which plants cannot use directly, is converted into ammonium (NH₄⁺) by specific bacteria in the soil or those in symbiotic relationships with plant roots. This process makes nitrogen accessible to plants.

3、Nitrogen in plants: from nutrition to the modulation of abiotic stress

We explore the intricate relationship between NO 3- /NH 4+ and abiotic stress responses in plants, focusing on stresses from nutrient deficiencies, unfavorable pH, ions, and drought.

4、How Do Plants Absorb Nitrogen from Soil?

Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil through their roots, which are adapted to take up various forms of nitrogen. The most common forms of nitrogen in the soil are nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+).

5、How Do Plants Absorb Nitrogen? Key Forms Explained

Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for plant growth, playing a vital role in chlorophyll formation, protein synthesis, and overall development. However, plants cannot directly absorb atmospheric nitrogen (N₂). Instead, they take up nitrogen in specific forms from the soil and fertilizers.

The Science Behind Nitrogen Uptake in Plants

This guide explores how plants absorb nitrogen, the role of fertilizers like urea (46-0-0) and ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-24S), and best practices for optimizing nitrogen use.

How Do Plants Absorb And Use Nitrates

Plants absorb nitrates through both passive and active mechanisms, using mass flow, diffusion, and interception methods via root hairs. After absorption, plants convert ammonium and nitrate into nitrogen-containing organic molecules, such as amino acids.

How Plants Absorb Nitrogen

Plants absorb nitrogen through their roots via a process known as nitrogen uptake. This process involves several mechanisms and factors that facilitate efficient nitrogen absorption.

How Do Plants Uptake Nitrogen?

Plants uptake nitrogen through their roots from the soil. This process is essential for their growth and development, as nitrogen is a key component of DNA and proteins.

How plants absorb nutrients

Roots explore the soil, seeking out water and mineral nutrients. They make dense networks and have a large absorbent surface area due to thousands of root hairs just behind their tips. Damage to these delicate root hairs hampers a plant’s ability to take up water and dissolved nutrients.

There are several primary ways plants absorb nitrogen fertilizer:

1. Root Absorption: This is the main method by which plants uptake nitrogen. Nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth, exists in soil as organic matter and inorganic salts. When nitrogen fertilizer is applied to the soil, it reacts with water and oxygen to form ammonia (NH₃) and nitrate (NO₃⁻). These compounds are absorbed by plant roots and transported to various parts of the plant, promoting growth and development.

2. Foliar Absorption: Some plants can directly absorb nitrogen through their leaves. For example, legumes convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃) with the help of rhizobia bacteria, which is then absorbed by the leaves. This method significantly improves nitrogen utilization efficiency and reduces fertilizer loss.

3. Foliar Spraying: This approach involves applying chemical fertilizers directly onto plant leaves, allowing nitrogen to be absorbed by leaf cells. It is particularly useful for plants that cannot absorb nitrogen through roots, such as certain flowers or vegetables.

4. Soil Fertilization: A traditional method where nitrogen fertilizer is added to the soil for root absorption. Suitable for large agricultural or horticultural areas, but requires regular replenishment due to nitrogen loss through leaching or volatilization, which can lead to excessive soil nitrogen and disrupt plant growth.

5. Microbial Fertilization: This method leverages microorganisms to enhance nitrogen use. For instance, nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric N₂ into ammonia for root absorption, while fungi decompose soil organic matter to release nitrogen.

6. Symbiotic Relationships: In specialized plant symbioses, plants absorb nitrogen through共生 partners. For example, rhizobia form nodules on legume roots, enabling the plants to extract nitrogen directly from the air rather than relying solely on soil sources.

7. Plant Tissue Culture: A modern propagation technique for soilless cultivation, where plant tissues are grown in nutrient solutions containing essential nutrients, including nitrogen. This method saves land resources while enabling plant growth without soil.

Each absorption method has its advantages and limitations. Selecting the most appropriate approach can improve nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and reduce environmental pollution.