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A Physiological Effect of Nitrogen on Phosphorus Absorption by Corn¹

A series of soil and solution experiments were conducted to study the mechanism responsible for the increased P absorption which occurs when N is added to a P fertilizer band.

The addition of (NH₄)₂SO₄ or NH₄Cl to a pellet P-32 labelled, concentrated superphosphate placed 0.5 inch to the side of a corn root greatly increased the labelled P content of the plant tops. The addition of KNO₃ reduced the P content of the tops when compared to concentrated superphosphate only. When the pellets consisted of phosphate only or phosphate plus KNO₃, labelled P accumulated to high levels in the root as revealed by autoradiographs. No such accumulation occurred in the presence of NH₄⁺ ions.

The addition of NH₄NO₃ to a nutrient solution increased the transfer of P through a 1-inch segment of a corn root exposed to the solution, but did not influence the accumulation in the root.

It was concluded that the NH₄⁺ ion has a specific influence on the transfer of P across the root symplast to the xylem.

² Formerly Graduate Fellow and Professor of Soil Science.

Received for publication April 29, 1965.