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PubMed2002

Performance of an age series of Alnus-cardamom plantations in the Sikkim Himalaya: nutrient dynamics.

Nutrient cycling, nutrient use efficiency and nitrogen fixation in an age series of Alnus-cardamom plantations were studied in the eastern Himalaya. The impact of stand age (5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 years) on the nutrient dynamics of mixtures of N2-fixing (Alnus nepalensis) and non-N2-fixing (large cardamom) plants was assessed. Foliar nutrient concentrations of Alnus decreased with advancing age groups of plantations and showed an inverse relationship with stand age. Annual N fixation increased from the 5-year-old stand (52 kg ha(-1)), peaking in the 15-year-old stand (155 kg ha(-1)) and then decreased with increasing plantation age. Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake was lowest in the 40-year-old stand, and highest in the 15- and 5-year-old stand, respectively. Nutrient storage in understorey cardamom was very high: up to 31 % N and 59 % P of the stand total in the 15-year-old stand. Nutrient use efficiency was higher (with faster turnover times) in younger stands and decreased (with slower turnover times) in older plantations. Nitrogen retranslocation showed a strong positive relationship with stand age, while that of P was inversely related to stand age. Nutrient standing stock, uptake and return were also highest in the 15-year-old stand. Nitrogen and P cycling in Alnus-cardamom plantations was functionally balanced. Nutrient cycling and dynamics indicated that Alnus-cardamom plantations performed sustainably up to 15-20 years. The management practice should be altered to incorporate replantation after this age.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

Biological nitrogen removal with enhanced phosphate uptake in a sequencing batch reactor using single sludge system.

Simultaneous biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal with enhanced anoxic phosphate uptake was investigated in an anaerobic-aerobic-anoxic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor ((AO)2 SBR). Significant amounts of phosphorus-accumulation organisms (PAOs) capable of denitrification could be accumulated in a single sludge system coexisting with nitrifiers. The ratio of the anoxic phosphate uptake to the aerobic phosphate uptake capacity was increased from 11% to 64% by introducing an anoxic phase in an anaerobic aerobic SBR. The (AO)2 SBR system showed stable phosphorus and nitrogen removal performance. Average removal efficiencies of TOC, total nitrogen, and phosphorus were 92%, 88%, and 100%, respectively. It was found that nitrite (up to 10 mg NO2(-)-N/l) was not detrimental to the anoxic phosphate uptake and could serve as an electron acceptor like nitrate. In fact, the phosphate uptake rate was even faster in the presence of nitrite as an electron acceptor compared to the presence of nitrate. It was found that on-line sensor values of pH, ORP, and DO were somehow related with the dynamic behaviours of nutrient concentrations (NH4+, NO3-, and PO4(3-)) in the SBR. These on-line sensor values were used as real-time control parameters to adjust the duration of each operational phase in the (AO)2 SBR. The real-time controlled SBR exhibited better performance in the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen than the SBR with fixed-time operation.

Bioreactors↗

PubMed2006

Sequencing batch membrane biofilm reactor for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal: novel application of membrane-aerated biofilm.

A sequencing batch membrane biofilm reactor (SBMBfR) was developed for simultaneous carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal from wastewater. This reactor was composed of two functional parts: (1) a gas-permeable membrane on which a nitrifying biofilm formed and (2) a bulk solution in which bacteria, mainly denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (DNPAOs), were suspended. The reactor was operated sequentially under anaerobic condition and then under membrane aeration condition in one cycle. During the anaerobic period, organic carbon was consumed by DNPAOs; this was accompanied by phosphate release. During the subsequent membrane aeration period, nitrifying bacteria utilized oxygen supplied directly to them from the inside of the membrane. Consequently, the nitrite and nitrate products diffused into the bulk solution, where they were used by DNPAOs as electron acceptors for phosphate uptake. In a long-term sequencing batch operation, the mean removal efficiencies of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (T-N), and total phosphorus (T-P) under steady-state condition were 99%, 96%, and 90%, respectively. In addition, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) clearly demonstrated the difference in bacterial community structure between the membrane biofilm and the suspended sludge: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Nitrosomonas group were dominant in the region adjacent to the membrane throughout the operation, and the occupation ratio of the well-known polyphosphate-accumulating organism (PAO) Candidatus "Accumulibacter phosphates" in the suspended sludge gradually increased to a maximum of 37%.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2002

Development of a biological process for livestock wastewater treatment using a technique for predominant outgrowth of Bacillus species.

The investigation has been carried out by treating 1 m3/day of livestock wastewater for 9 months. The biological process is composed of two reactors connected in series. Each reactor has been designed to stimulate the growth of Bacillus sp., spore-forming aerobic or facultatively anaerobic bacteria. As a consequence, the population of Bacillus sp. is aptly increased via the cycle of sporulation, germination and proliferation. With a predominant growth of Bacillus sp., the microbial activity has been increased comparing to activated sludge based on the result of measuring specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR). This process was able to remove nitrogen and phosphorus as well as organic matter efficiently. More than 98% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were removed. In term of removing the total nitrogen (T-N), about 98% of this was reduced. On average, the T-N concentration in the feed was 3,270 mg/l but 74 mg/l in the effluent including 30 mg/l of nitrite and nitrate nitrogen. The total phosphorus (T-P) reduction averaged 87.5%. As a result, it would be advantageous to load this process in order to deal with high-strength wastewater.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1983

Metabolic response of whole body and peripheral tissues to enteral nutrition in weight-losing cancer and noncancer patients.

This study evaluated whether or not the efficiency of utilizing energy substrates and nitrogen differs among cancer and control patients during enteral feeding. Oxygen uptake and glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism across the leg were measured in cancer patients who had lost approximately 18% of their body weight and were compared with that of patients without cancer with similar body-weight loss. Metabolic balances across the leg were evaluated relative to food intake, energy expenditure, energy balance, nitrogen balance, and urinary excretion of urea, creatinine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. All measurements were performed twice in each patient: first in the fasted state and second during nutrition after 14 days of a controlled enteral infusion of a formula diet of 35 kcal/kg . day. Quantitative measurements of metabolism across the leg before and after 14 days of enteral nutrition were compared with changes in nutritional status. Whole body utilization of energy and of nitrogen were not significantly different among cancer patients and controls, whereas the simultaneously measured net balances of glycerol and free fatty acids across the leg of cancer patients were statistically significantly more negative during the constant infusion of the formula diet. The results in this study emphasize that malnourished cancer patients are quite comparable with patients with benign malnutrition in terms of whole body and peripheral metabolism both before and in the response to enteral feeding.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Plant growth and cation composition of two cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in P uptake efficiency.

Phosphorus (P)-zinc (Zn) interactions were investigated in two wheat cultivars (Brookton versus Krichauff) differing in P uptake efficiency. The experiment was done in a growth chamber. Rock phosphate (RP) or CaHPO4 (CaP) were used as P sources, and ammonium nitrate (AN) or nitrate only (NO) were used as nitrogen sources. Two Zn levels were used, 0.22 mg x kg(-1) (LZ) and 2.2 mg ZnSO4.7H2O x kg(-1) (HZ), respectively. P availability significantly affected plant biomass production, but Zn supply had little effect. Plants fed ammonium nitrate had significantly lower concentrations of cations than those fed nitrate only. Cultivar Brookton (with higher P uptake efficiency) consistently had lower concentrations of cations than cv. Krichauff (with low P uptake efficiency) under limited P supply. The differences in concentrations of cations increased with the decrease in P availability, but were not affected by Zn supply. The ratio of potassium in roots to shoots of cultivar Brookton was always higher than in cultivar Krichauff. Based on these findings, it is postulated that the lower concentrations of cations in cultivar Brookton are related to root exudation of organic anions, and a conceptual model is established to describe the regulation of root exudation of organic anions and concentrations of cations.

Anions↗

PubMed2004

Improvement of denitrification by denitrifying phosphorus removing bacteria using sequentially combined carbon.

The effects of sequentially combined carbon (SCC) using a symbiotic relationship of methanol and acetic acid on biological nutrient removal were investigated in both the continuous bench scale process consisting of an anoxic, an aerobic and a final settling tank and intensive batch tests. Compared to the use of respective sole carbon sources, methanol and acetic acid, the use of SCC showed superior removal efficiency of nitrogen (98.3%) and phosphorus (approximately 100%). Furthermore, the use of SCC enhanced simultaneous denitrification and phosphorus uptake by denitrifying phosphorus removal bacteria (DPB), resulting in the highest specific denitrification rate (SDNR) of 0.252 g NO3-N/g VSS/d achieved from the first anoxic zone with methanol of 30 mg COD/I. From batch tests performed under carbon limited anoxic conditions, 1 g of nitrate was used by DPB for P-uptake of 1.19 g. According to this result, 0.205 g NO3-N/g VSS/d was accomplished by normal denitrifiers using methanol, and 0.047 g NO3-N/g VSS/d was achieved by DPB. This research also demonstrated that the increase of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) stored by phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) could be of importance in improving aerobic denitrification. The use of SCC produced the highest P-release in the anoxic zone, indicating the amount of PHB would be higher compared to the use of other sole carbons. Therefore, the SCC could be a very effective carbon source for the enhancement of aerobic denitrification as well.

Acetic Acid↗

PubMed2006

The AauR-AauS two-component system regulates uptake and metabolism of acidic amino acids in Pseudomonas putida.

Pseudomonas putida KT2440 metabolizes a wide range of carbon and nitrogen sources, including many amino acids. In this study, a sigma54-dependent two-component system that controls the uptake and metabolism of acidic amino acids was identified. The system (designated aau, for acidic amino acid utilization) involves a sensor histidine kinase, AauS, encoded by PP1067, and a response regulator, AauR, encoded by PP1066. aauR and aauS deletion mutants were unable to efficiently utilize aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu), and glutamine (Gln) as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen. Growth of the mutants was partially restored when the above-mentioned amino acids were supplemented with glucose or succinate as an additional carbon source. Uptake of Gln, Asp, and asparagine (Asn) by the aauR mutant was moderately reduced, while Glu uptake was severely impaired. In the absence of glucose, the aauR mutant even secreted Glu into the medium. Furthermore, disruption of aauR affected the activities of several key enzymes of Glu and Asp metabolism, leading to the intracellular accumulation of Glu and greatly reduced survival times under conditions of nitrogen starvation. By a proteomics approach, four major proteins were identified that are downregulated during growth of the aauR mutant on Glu. Two of these were identified as periplasmic glutaminase/asparaginase and the solute-binding protein of a Glu/Asp transporter. Transcriptional analysis of lacZ fusions containing the putative promoter regions of these genes confirmed that their expression is indeed affected by the aau system. Three further periplasmic solute-binding proteins were strongly expressed during growth of the aauR deletion mutant on Glu but downregulated during cultivation on glucose/NH4+. These systems may be involved in amino acid efflux.

Amino Acids, Acidic↗

PubMed2006

Dynamics of the nitrogen transformation in a shallow stream and possible interventions.

This paper presents the assessment of the efficiency of the main biological nitrogen transformation processes in a shallow well-oxygenated river and conditions under which they are active and stabilise. The process dynamics was studied with the help of mathematical modelling of 2 years on-line data series measured in a reach of the Toess River, Switzerland. The algal nitrogen uptake was very stable and unaffected by most but frequent flood events. Daylight photosynthetic nitrogen uptake stabilised at 6 mgN mstreambed(-2) h(-1) (15 degrees C), dark uptake on storage products at rates of 0.5-2.5 mgN mstreambed(-2) h(-1). Nitrogen uptake by heterotrophic bacteria in the hyporheic zone was relatively constant at a level of 1.5-3.5 mgN mstreambed(-2) h(-1). Streambed nitrification could establish only during periods with average an daily concentration of at least 0.3 g(NH4-N) m(-3) in river water for several weeks. The maximum nitrification rate was 35 mgN mstreambed(-2) h(-1) for 3 g(NH4-N) m(-3). The effects of reduced nitrification in the WWTP and of river banks shading on a sudden ammonium peak were simulated. A river reach endangered by ammonium spills should be kept open to sun to favour ammonium uptake by algae. In-stream nitrification reduces ammonium peaks efficiently but leads to toxic nitrite concentrations.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗

PubMed1976

Feeding adaptations in the hairs and tongues of nectar-feeding bats.

Scales on the hairs of pollinating bats spread out at an angle to the main hair shaft. In contrast, the hairs of most bats not associated with plants are relatively smooth. Both megachiropteran and microchiropteran flower-feeding bats show this divaricate scale structure which may aid in the collection of a heavy coating of pollen. Some of the pollen is transferred to subsequent flowers, but most is groomed from the fur and ingested as the only reliable nitrogen source for the bat. The tongues of nectar-feeding bats also show structural modifications which allow efficient uptake of the carbohydrate fraction of the diet. Structural specializations of the hiars and tongue are analogous to those seen in other nectar-feeding animals.

Adaptation, Biological↗

PubMed2000

Effects of insulin and postruminal supply of protein on use of amino acids by the mammary gland for milk protein synthesis.

We examined the relationships between amino acid supply, net utilization of amino acid by the mammary gland, and milk protein yield, in investigations that utilized a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. A two-way crossed factorial design was employed. There were two 12-d periods involving abomasal infusions of either water or a mixture of casein (500 g/d) plus branched-chain amino acids (88 g/d), with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp during the last 4 d of each period. During the clamp, insulin was infused at 1.0 microg x kg BW(-1) x h(-1) to increase circulating levels fourfold, and euglycemia was maintained by infusion of glucose. The insulin clamp treatments increased milk protein yield by 15 and 25% during abomasal infusion of water or casein plus branched-chain amino acids, respectively. Circulating concentrations of essential amino acids were reduced (33%) during insulin clamp treatments, especially branched-chain amino acids (41%). Arteriovenous difference of essential amino acids across the mammary gland was linearly related to their arterial concentrations. However, milk protein yield was not related to either arterial concentration or arteriovenous difference, for any of the essential amino acids. During insulin clamp treatments, the mammary gland was able to support the increased milk protein yields by increasing extraction efficiency of essential amino acids, mammary blood flow, and glucose uptake. Furthermore, a positive mammary balance of total amino nitrogen and carbon was maintained for all treatments. These adaptations demonstrate the unique ability of the mammary gland to adjust local conditions to allow for an adequate nutrient supply.

Abomasum↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of bicarbonate level rise on utilization of nonprotein nitrogen 15N by the rumen microorganisms].

The intensity of 15N uptake from labelled urea by a mixed population of the rumen contents microorganisms was studied as affected by various HCO3- levels. Practically there exist a relation between a pronounced positive effect of sodium bicarbonate on the efficiency of urea nitrogen utilization by the rumen fluid microorganisms and the protein synthesis which suggests their combined application to be advisable. However, significance of the differences is not high, first of all due to a great viriation of data for certain animals.

Animals↗

PubMed1967

Glucose-induced Release of Amino Acids from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis by Action on the Cytoplasmic Membrane.

When washed yeast cells grown under appropriate conditions were suspended in glucose solution there was a sudden release of alpha-amino nitrogen into the medium. This released material was of low molecular weight, and its composition was closely similar to that of the intracellular free amino acid pool. During the leakage of amino acids, the yeast did not efficiently absorb labeled amino acids added to the test medium, despite the rapid uptake and metabolism of glucose. Uptake of a labeled amino acid and reabsorption of the released alpha-amino nitrogen occurred almost simultaneously. When these yeast cells were exposed to glucose in the presence of calcium ions, leakage was strongly inhibited. Butanol under the same conditions increased glucose-induced leakage of cell contents. The adenosine triphosphatase activity of intact yeast cells exposed to glucose was greater than that of cells exposed to water. Yeast cells treated with glucose prior to equilibration with sorbose exhibited less ability to retain the sorbose when washed at 0 C than did cells pretreated with water. It was concluded that glucose-induced leakage of amino acids was the result of two factors acting together. These were (i) a change in membrane permeability associated with glucose uptake, and (ii) a temporary shortage of energy for amino acid uptake or retention.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Medicinal and aromatic plant materials as nitrification inhibitors for augmenting yield and nitrogen uptake of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L. Var. Piperascens).

Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the relative performance of medicinal and aromatic plant materials and dicyandiamide (DCD) as nitrification inhibitors to regulate transformation of N from urea. Their effect on the efficiencies of use of N by Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis cv. Hy 77) was tested. Urea was coated with these materials viz., Mentha spicata, Artemisia annua or DCD at the rate of 5% (w/w) of fertilizer urea using an appropriate coating technique. Nimin (tetranortriterpenoids, an ethanol extract of neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) coating was done at the rate of 1% w/w of urea. Fertilizer nitrogen was applied at 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) soil. These natural coating materials significantly increased the herb and essential oil yields of the crop at both rates of fertilizer nitrogen compared to urea alone and were found to be as effective as DCD in retarding NO3- formation in soil. Herb yield increased by 6-81% when compared to uncoated urea. The increase in essential oil yield ranged between 3% and 68% due to coating. The effectiveness of the nitrification-inhibitor--coated urea, however, varied with the soils used and the rate of fertilizer nitrogen applied. The results suggest that the natural products could be potential nitrification inhibitors for increasing fertilizer N use efficiency.

Biological Availability↗

PubMed2002

Nitrogen availability alters the expression of carnivory in the northern pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea.

Atmospheric transport and deposition of nutrients, especially nitrogen, is a global environmental problem with well-documented consequences for ecosystem dynamics. However, monitoring nitrogen deposition is relatively expensive, monitoring stations are widely spaced, and estimates and predicted impacts of nitrogen deposition are currently derived from spatial modeling and interpolation of limited data. Ombrotrophic ("rain-fed") bogs are nutrient-poor ecosystems that are especially sensitive to increasing nutrient input, and carnivorous plants, which are characteristic of these widespread ecosystem types, may be especially sensitive indicators of N deposition. Botanical carnivory is thought to have evolved in nutrient-poor and well-lit habitats such as bogs because the marginal benefits accruing from carnivory exceed the marginal photosynthetic costs associated with the maintenance of carnivorous organs. However, the production of carnivorous organs can be a phenotypically plastic trait. The northern pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, produces leaves specialized for prey capture and nutrient uptake (pitchers) and leaves that are more efficient at photosynthesis (phyllodia). We hypothesized that relative allocation to these two types of leaves reflects ambient nitrogen availability. We manipulated nutrient availability to plants with leaf enrichment and whole-plot fertilization experiments. Increased nitrogen, but not phosphorus, reduced production of pitchers relative to phyllodia; this result provided empirical support for the cost-benefit model of the evolution of botanical carnivory. Because this phenotypic shift in leaf production occurs in ecological time, our results suggest that S. purpurea could be a reliable and inexpensive biological indicator of nitrogen deposition rates. This suggestion is supported by field observations across a geographic gradient of nitrogen deposition.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Nitrogen removal in a combined system: vertical vegetated bed over horizontal flow sand bed.

Pig farm wastewater creates various problems in many areas throughout Thailand. Constructed wetland systems are an appropriate, low cost treatment option for tropical countries such as Thailand. In this study, a combined system (a vertical flow bed planted with Cyperus flabelliformis over a horizontal flow sand bed without plants) was used to treat settled pig farm wastewater. This system is suitable for using in farms where land is limited. The average COD and nitrogen loading rate of the vegetated vertical flow bed were 105 g/m2 x d and 11 g/m2 x d respectively. The wastewater was fed intermittently at intervals of 4 hours with a hydraulic loading rate of 3.7 cm/d. The recirculation of the effluent increased total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency from 71% to 85%. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) removal efficiencies were 95% and 98%. Nitrification was significant in vertical flow Cyperus bed, and the concentration of nitrate increased by a factor of 140. The horizontal flow sand bed enhanced COD removal and nitrate reduction was 60%. Plant uptake of nitrogen was 1.1 g N/m2 x d or dry biomass production was 2.8 kg/m2 over 100 days.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2006

Transpiration, and nitrogen uptake and flow in two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines as affected by nitrogen supply.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The influence of two nitrogen (N) levels on growth, water relations, and N uptake and flow was investigated in two different inbred lines of maize (N-efficient Zi330 and N-inefficient Chen94-11) to analyse the differences in N uptake and cycling within a plant. METHODS: Xylem sap from different leaves of the inbred lines cultured in quartz sand was collected by application of pressure to the root system. Plant transpiration was measured on a daily basis by weighing five pots of each of the treatments. KEY RESULTS: N-efficient Zi330 had a higher relative growth rate and water-use efficiency at both high (4 mm) and low (0.08 mm) N levels. At a high N level, the amount of N taken up was similar for the two inbred lines; the amount of N transported in the xylem and retranslocated in the phloem was slight greater in Chen94-11 than in Zi330. At a low N level, however, the total amount of N taken up, transported in the xylem and retranslocated in the phloem of Zi330 was 2.2, 2.7 and 2.7 times more, respectively, than that of Chen94-11. Independent of inbred line and N level, the amounts of N transported in the xylem and cycled in the phloem were far more than that taken up by roots at the same time. Low N supply shifted NO(3)(-1) reduction towards the roots. The major nitrogenous compound in the xylem sap was NO(3)(-1), when plants grew at the high N level, while amino acid-N was predominant when plants grew at the low N level. CONCLUSIONS: The N-efficient maize inbred line Zi330 had a higher ability to take up N and cycle N within the plant than N-inefficient Chen94-11 when grown under N-deficiency.

Nitrogen↗

PubMed1992

Storage and internal cycling of nitrogen in relation to seasonal growth of Sitka spruce.

Three-year-old clonal cuttings of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. were grown for two years (1988-1989) in sand irrigated with a nutrient solution containing either 1.0 mol N m(-3) (low N) or 6.0 mol N m(-3) (high N) NH(4)NO(3). In 1988, all the N provided was enriched with (15)N to 4.95 atom % (labeled N). In 1989, N was supplied with (15)N at natural abundance (unlabeled N). The recovery of unlabeled and labeled N in new foliage was used to quantify the internal cycling of N. In the high-N treatment, trees had two flushes of shoot growth and a period of rapid root growth, which coincided with the second flush of shoot growth in August. The timing of root growth and the first flush of shoot growth was similar in the low-N treatment, but there was no second flush of shoot growth and a greater proportion of biomass was recovered in roots. By November 1989, the root/needle dry matter ratio was 1.95 for the low-N trees and 1.36 for the high-N trees. Nitrogen was stored overwinter in roots and current-year needles. During the first six weeks of growth in the spring of 1989, stored N was remobilized for new foliage growth. Subsequent growth depended on root uptake of N. Remobilization of stored N was apparently not affected by the current N supply, because the amount of unlabeled N recovered in foliage produced in 1988 was the same for both N treatments. During 1989, the proportion of (15)N remobilized from roots relative to that from leaves produced in 1988 was greater in low-N trees than in high-N trees. In the autumn of both years, there was rapid uptake of N into roots and current-year needles. The effects of N supply on tree growth and nitrogen use efficiency are discussed in terms of the capacity for both N storage and internal cycling.

Journal Article↗