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Author (up) Sierra, J.; Daudin, D.; Domenach, A.M.; Nygren, P.; Desfontaines, L. openurl 
  Title Nitrogen transfer from a legume tree to the associated grass estimated by the isotopic signature of tree root exudates: A comparison of the N-15 leaf feeding and natural N-15 abundance methods Type Journal Article
  Year 2007 Publication European Journal of Agronomy Abbreviated Journal Eur. J. Agron.  
  Volume 27 Issue 2-4 Pages 178-186  
  Keywords agroforestry; box model; gliricidia sepium; N-15 fractionation; root turnover; tree pruning  
  Abstract Nitrogen (N) transfer from legume trees to associated crops is a key factor for the N economy of low-input agroforestry systems. In this work, we presented a new approach to estimate N transfer based on the N-15 content of root exudates and N released by root turnover of the donor plant (Gliricidia sepium) and the temporal change of the N-15 content of the receiver plant (Dichanthium aristatum). The study was carried out in greenhouse using two isotopic methods: N-15 leaf feeding (LF) and the natural N-15 abundance (NA). Measurements of exudate N-15 were made at several dates before and after tree pruning. A time-dependent box model was devised to quantify N transfer in time and to make comparisons between the isotopic methods. In NA, although tree roots and exudates presented a similar N-15 signature before tree pruning, exudates were strongly depleted in N-15 after pruning. In LF, exudates were always depleted in N-15 in relation to tree roots. Hence, the current assumption used in N transfer studies concerning the equal N-15/N-14 distribution in tissues of the donor plant and in its excreted N was not confirmed in our study. Before pruning, N transfer functioned as a two-N-source system (soil N and exudates N) and both isotopic methods provided similar estimates: 11-12% for LF and 10-15% for NA. Calculations per-formed with the model indicated that N transfer occurred with small or nil fractionation of N-15 in exudates. After pruning, there was a third N source associated with N released from tree root turnover. During this period, the isotopic signature of the receiver plant showed a transient state due to the progressive decrease of N-15 content of that N source. The amount of N derived from the tree represented 65% of the total N content of the. grass at the end of the experiments. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.  
  Address INRA, Unite Agropedioclimat, UR135, Petit Bourg 97170, Guadeloupe, Email: jorge.sierra@antilles.inra.fr  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1161-0301 ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes ISI:000249798900003 Approved no  
  Call Number EcoFoG @ eric.marcon @ Serial 157  
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