Nitrate fertilization may delay autumn leaf senescence, while amino acid treatments do not.

ABSTRACT: Fertilization with nitrogen (N)-rich compounds leads to increased growth but may compromise phenology and winter survival of trees in boreal regions. During autumn, N is remobilized from senescing leaves and stored in other parts of the tree to be used in the next growing season. However, the mechanism behind the N fertilization effect on winter survival is not well understood, and it is unclear how N levels or forms modulate autumn senescence. We performed fertilization experiments and showed that treating Populus saplings with inorganic nitrogen resulted in a delay in senescence. In addition, by using precise delivery of solutes into the xylem stream of Populus trees in their natural environment, we found that delay of autumn senescence was dependent on the form of N administered: inorga

SUBMITTER: Fataftah N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9323471 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature