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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for ¹⁵Nitrogen Analysis

Published on: May 10, 2020

Competition for nitrogen between plants and soil microorganisms.

J P Kaye¹, S C Hart

¹School of Forestry, College of Ecosystem Science and Management, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5018, USA.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|January 18, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Plants and soil microbes compete for inorganic nitrogen. Recent findings show plants can also use organic nitrogen, necessitating a new understanding of these competitive interactions in ecosystems.

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Soil Science
Plant Biology

Background:

Plants and soil microorganisms often face inorganic nitrogen limitation, even in fertile environments.
This limitation can lead to direct competition for nitrogen resources between plants and microbes.
Traditional research has primarily focused on this inorganic nitrogen competition.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the implications of organic nitrogen uptake by plants on plant-microorganism competition.
To propose a revised framework for understanding competitive interactions in ecosystems where organic nitrogen is utilized by plants.

Main Methods:

The study synthesizes existing experimental findings.
It reviews recent research on plant and mycorrhizal uptake of organic nitrogen.
It analyzes the ecological consequences of alternative nitrogen acquisition strategies.

Main Results:

Evidence indicates that plants, including those associated with mycorrhizae, can effectively utilize organic nitrogen sources.
This capability exists across diverse ecosystems.
The ability to use organic nitrogen alters the dynamics of nitrogen competition.

Conclusions:

A paradigm shift is required in viewing plant-soil microorganism interactions.
The uptake of organic nitrogen by plants necessitates a new conceptual model for competitive dynamics.
Future research should focus on these revised interactions in relevant ecosystems.