[Effect of different nitrogen forms on growth of Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings]

The effect of NO3(-)-N and NH4(+)-N and their different supply ratios on the growth of Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings was studied by sand culture in greenhouse. The highest seedling growth was obtained at a NH3(-)-N/NH4(+)-N ratio of 75/25 in nutrient solution. The growth of seedlings declined with the increasing ratio of NH4(+)-N to NO3(-)-N. Excessive NH4(+)-N inhibited root growth, and the root/shoot ratio of the seedlings significantly decreased as the NH4(+)-N/NO3(-)-N ratio was over 50%. Increasing NH4(+)-N in nutrient solution led to the decrease of net photosynthetic rate, the increase of phosphorus content in plant tissues, and the decrease of Zn and Fe contents. The pH value of cultural medium was affected markedly by nitrogen form, which was increased with increasing NO3(-)-N and decreased with increasing NH4(+)-N in nutrient solution. The pH value was up to 7.22 in the medium contained NO3(-)-N alone, while decreased to 4.20 only with NH4(+)-N.