DRY MATTER PRODUCTION AND NITROGEN UPTAKE RELATIONSHIPS IN BUCKWHEAT PLANTS

Abstract

The effect of nitrogen addition on the pattern of nitrogen utilization by buckwheat plants is analyzed by using the concept of nitrogen utility(N.U., ratio of the net dry matter production to the amount of nitrogen uptake). The N.U. changes in inverse relation to the nitrogen availability in the environment. The increase of N.U. with the lowered availability of nitrogen is ascribed mainly to the dilution effects nitrogen limitation on the plant growth ; that is, an efficient nitrogen utilization and a reduced physiological activity resulting from the lowered concentration of nitrogen in the plant.