Soft-sediment remobilization and fluid flow processes and their products such as sand injectites, mud volcanoes, pipes, pockmarks and authigenic carbonates constitute a key, but under-appreciated component of sedimentary basins. The structures are evidence of and provide focused fluid pathways bypassing the stratigraphic and structural framework and thus have numerous implications for hydrocarbon exploration and production by influencing sediment and fluid distributions. Recent advances in subsurface imaging using high-resolution 3D seismic data, integrated with well data, geochemical data and outcrop data have greatly improved the understanding of subsurface sediment remobilization and fluid flow processes in sedimentary basins. This study presents substantial new results from the description, analysis and interpretation of products of subsurface remobilization processes and fluid flow based on all available data from the Northern North Sea and the Nigeria Transform Margin. The studied intervals, which encompass the entire Cenozoic and Cretaceous succession, have undergone repeated, large-scale remobilization and deformation of sediments through time. The North Sea is the archetype Giant Injected Sand Province (GISP) with kilometre-scale sandstone intrusions observed within multiple stratigraphic intervals, but this is the first time the northern North Sea has been systematically studied on a regional scale. Seismic-scale sandstone intrusions are well documented along the Atlantic Margin from the South Viking Graben, Outer Moray Firth, Norwegian-Danish Basin, Faroe-Shetland Basin and Barent Sea but primarily emplaced during one or two episodes. Results from the NNS show evidence for five major episodes of emplacement. These sandstones, believed to be sourced from different stratigraphic levels, have intruded thick polygonally-faulted, diatomaceous and smectite-rich mudstones; probably facilitated by hydrocarbons and diagenetically-released water in spatio-temporally varying proportions. The Cenozoic section of the Nigeria Transform Margin comprises up to 2 km of sediments, including recurrent mass transport deposits ranging between a few to tens of kilometres in length and constituting up to 25 % of the stratigraphic section. A series of fluid flow features such as pockmarks, pipes, bottom simulating reflections, polygonal faults and mound have been interpreted on the seabed and in the overburden; all of which provide evidence of focused fluid movement in the subsurface becoming more abundant towards the Niger Delta. Our study provides details on the geometries, scale, spatial distribution, potential causative mechanisms and implications of these soft-sediment remobilized and fluid flow products; as well as their relationships with other depositional and structural elements within the basin. It also reveals the extent by which sedimentary basins can be affected by these processes and therefore be incorporated into present stratigraphic frameworks and improve reservoir models.

O nitrogênio é o nutriente exigido em maior quantidade pelo cafeeiro e o segundo mais exportado pela planta. Usualmente se aplica ureia no cafeeiro e o N desta fonte é rapidamente metabolizado e incorporado na forma de aminoácidos e amidas. A assimilação do nitrogênio é afetada por diversos micronutrientes, entre eles o níquel (Ni), por ser este um constituinte da enzima urease, responsável pela degradação da ureia. O entendimento da interação do Ni com o metabolismo do N e o processo de senescência no cafeeiro é importante para o uso eficiente do nitrogênio pelas plantas. Pouco se sabe a respeito da nutrição com Ni no metabolismo do N, na senescência foliar e na interferência na absorção e transferência de outros nutrientes. A presente pesquisa foi realizada para avaliar se a aplicação de Ni (i) interferiria na absorção e transferência de outros nutrientes, bem como na partição de biomassa do cafeeiro e; (ii) aumentaria a eficiência de uso do N, tanto pela maior degradação da ureia, via atividade da urease, quanto pelo aumento da redistribuição de reservas de nitrogênio, por meio do incremento do catabolismo da arginina; e (iii) se o fornecimento de Ni atrasaria a senescência foliar, pela diminuição da produção de etileno endógeno na planta, o que aumentaria a duração foliar. A aplicação de Ni reduziu a biomassa do cafeeiro somente no maior teor do elemento disponível no solo (105 mg DM-3), e essa redução na biomassa afetou a concentração e acúmulo, principalmente, dos macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca e Mg). Com relação aos micronutrientes metálicos (Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn), o incremento gradual no teor de Ni disponível, reduziu ou elevou gradualmente a concentração desses micronutrientes no cafeeiro. Os coeficientes de eficiência de uso de N pelo cafeeiro foram afetados somente em razão do nível de N, sem alteração em função do Ni disponível no solo. A aplicação de Ni no solo até teores de 60 mg dm-3 não afetou o crescimento da planta de cafeeiro, mas aumentou a retenção foliar no nível deficiente de N. O Ni reduziu a biossíntese de etileno na planta, apesar das concentrações de MDA e prolina aumentarem com o teor disponível de Ni no solo na pré-antese. Com relação ao N, houve incremento na redistribuição de N dos órgãos de reserva (ramo) para atender a demanda de folha e fruto. / Nitrogen is the nutrient required in greatest quantity by the coffee and the second most exported within the plant. Usually, N is applied as urea to coffee and urea-N is rapidly metabolized and incorporated into amino acids and amides. The assimilation of N is affected by several micronutrients, including nickel (Ni). Ni is a constituent of urease, the sole enzyme responsible for degradation (and subsequent assimilation) of urea. Understanding Ni interaction with N metabolism and the aging process is important for the efficient use of nitrogen by coffee, and by plants in general. Little is known about Ni nutrition as it relates to N metabolism in leaf senescence and its possible interference in the absorption and transfer of other nutrients. The present study was conducted in coffee to assess whether the application of Ni (i) interferes with the absorption and transfer of other nutrients as well as biomass partitioning; (Ii) increases the nitrogen use efficiency, both for greater degradation of urea via urease activity, and increased redistribution of nitrogen reserves by increased catabolism of arginine; and (iii) delays leaf senescence by decreasing endogenous ethylene production, thereby increasing leaf duration. Ni application reduced biomass of coffee only at the highest level of soil availability (105 mg dm-3). This level also brought about the reduction in biomass concentration and accumulation of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca and mg). With respect to mineral micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn), gradual increases in available Ni content, either reduced or gradually increased the concentration of these micronutrients. N-use efficiency ratios in coffee were affected only by variations in management of N, and not by changes in available soil Ni . Soil Ni applications to 60 mg dm-3 did not affect the growth of the coffee plant, but increased foliar retention under N limitation. Ni reduced plant ethylene biosynthesis, in spite of the concentrations of MDA and proline increasing rising with increasing soil Ni during pre-anthesis. As Ni levels rose, there was an increase in the redistribution of N of storage organs (branch) to meet the demand of leaf and fruit.

A expansão da área de cultivo da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) para solos marginais e a necessidade de manutenção da alta produtividade tem levado a maior aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados na cultura. Esta prática, porém, incorre em altos custos financeiros e ambientais. Comparado a outras culturas, cana-de-açúcar possui baixa resposta a aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados, mas as causas desta baixa eficiência no uso de N (NUE) permanecem desconhecidas. Na tentativa de compreender os mecanismos envolvidos no NUE em cana-de-açúcar, este trabalho realizou a caracterização fisiológica dos processos de absorção de nitrato e remobilização de N por estudos de cinética de absorção e experimentos de translocação de 15N. Além disso, analisou-se o perfil de expressão de genes codificadores de transportadores de nitrato (NRTs - NITRATE TRANSPORTERS). Plantas da cultivar \'SP80-3280\' foram expostas à condições distintas de suplemento de N para investigar a regulação do processo de aquisição. Além de comprovar a menor eficiência da cana-de-açúcar na aquisição de nitrato quando comparada com amônio, foi demonstrada a presença de sistema de transporte de alta afinidade (HATS, High Affinity Transport System) para ambas as fontes de N presentes em raízes, induzido sob baixas concentrações externas de N e/ou sob baixo status de N na planta. Observou-se que amônio regula negativamente a absorção de nitrato, modulando a expressão dos genes envolvidos neste processo. Em plantas sob condições de deficiência de N (-N) foi verificada a regulação tardia do HATS responsável pela aquisição de nitrato. A ausência de correlação entre o influxo de 15N e acúmulo de transcritos de transportadores de nitrato sugere a existência de uma regulação pós-transcricional dos transportadores do HATS em raízes submetidas a provisão de nitrato. Para caracterizar o processo de remobilização, plantas foram submetidas a condições contrastantes de disponibilidade de N na tentativa de identificar o mecanismo pelo qual nitrato pode ser regulado durante este processo. Apesar da reduzida eficiência na aquisição e estoque de nitrato, cana-de-açúcar possui a capacidade de utilizar nitrato como fonte de N, e em condições suficientes de suplemento de N, nitrato e amônio são utilizados como fonte de N. Sob restrição de N, porém, nitrato apresenta maior fluxo em raízes e colmos, enquanto que amônio ainda permanece como fonte de N em folhas jovens devido a alteração no carregamento de nitrato no xilema. Todavia, o suplemento de nitrato a ser reduzido e assimilado em folhas parece ter origem no colmo. Portanto, a modulação da expressão dos transportadores NRT assegura a alocação de nitrato em cana-de-açúcar quando N é limitante em solos / The expansion of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivated area to marginal lands and the need to maintain high yield have led to increasing application of nitrogen fertilizers. However, this practice represents high economic and environmental costs. Compared to other crops, sugarcane displays a low response to N fertilization, but the causation of the low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remains unknown. To understand the mechanism involved in NUE, this study was carried out to conduct the physiological characterization of nitrate uptake and N remobilization in sugarcane by uptake kinetic analysis and translocation experiments using 15N. Further, the expression profile of genes encoding nitrate transporters (NRTs - NITRATE TRANSPORTERS) involved in both processes was determined. Plantlets of cultivar \'SP80-3280\' were exposed to various N supplement conditions to investigate the regulation of the uptake process. The lower efficiency in nitrate acquisition compared to ammonium was corroborated and extended for low N conditions. The occurrence in sugarcane roots of high affinity uptake systems (HATS, High Affinity Transport System) for both N sources,, induced at low external concentrations of N and/or low N status in the plant was confirmed. Ammonium negatively regulates nitrate uptake by modulating the expression of genes involved in this process. Plants under N deficiency (-N) exhibited a late regulation of HATS responsible for nitrate uptake. The lack of correlation between 15N influx and transcript accumulation of nitrate transporter genes suggests the existence of a post-transcriptional regulation of HATS in roots subjected to nitrate resupply. To characterize the remobilization process, plants were submitted to contrasting conditions of N availability to identify the mechanisms by which nitrate may be affected during this process. Despite the low efficiency of nitrate uptake and storage, sugarcane demonstrates the ability to use nitrate as N source. In N sufficient conditions (+N), ammonium and nitrate are used as N source. Under restriction of N, however, nitrate has increased flow in roots and stems, while ammonium remains as N source to young leaves by change in nitrate loading into the xylem. However, the source of the nitrate to be reduced and assimilated in leaves appears to be originated from the culm. Therefore, modulation of NRT transporters expression ensures nitrate allocation in sugarcane when N is limited in soils

O nitrogênio é o nutriente exigido em maior quantidade pelo cafeeiro e o segundo mais exportado pela planta. Usualmente se aplica ureia no cafeeiro e o N desta fonte é rapidamente metabolizado e incorporado na forma de aminoácidos e amidas. A assimilação do nitrogênio é afetada por diversos micronutrientes, entre eles o níquel (Ni), por ser este um constituinte da enzima urease, responsável pela degradação da ureia. O entendimento da interação do Ni com o metabolismo do N e o processo de senescência no cafeeiro é importante para o uso eficiente do nitrogênio pelas plantas. Pouco se sabe a respeito da nutrição com Ni no metabolismo do N, na senescência foliar e na interferência na absorção e transferência de outros nutrientes. A presente pesquisa foi realizada para avaliar se a aplicação de Ni (i) interferiria na absorção e transferência de outros nutrientes, bem como na partição de biomassa do cafeeiro e; (ii) aumentaria a eficiência de uso do N, tanto pela maior degradação da ureia, via atividade da urease, quanto pelo aumento da redistribuição de reservas de nitrogênio, por meio do incremento do catabolismo da arginina; e (iii) se o fornecimento de Ni atrasaria a senescência foliar, pela diminuição da produção de etileno endógeno na planta, o que aumentaria a duração foliar. A aplicação de Ni reduziu a biomassa do cafeeiro somente no maior teor do elemento disponível no solo (105 mg DM-3), e essa redução na biomassa afetou a concentração e acúmulo, principalmente, dos macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca e Mg). Com relação aos micronutrientes metálicos (Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn), o incremento gradual no teor de Ni disponível, reduziu ou elevou gradualmente a concentração desses micronutrientes no cafeeiro. Os coeficientes de eficiência de uso de N pelo cafeeiro foram afetados somente em razão do nível de N, sem alteração em função do Ni disponível no solo. A aplicação de Ni no solo até teores de 60 mg dm-3 não afetou o crescimento da planta de cafeeiro, mas aumentou a retenção foliar no nível deficiente de N. O Ni reduziu a biossíntese de etileno na planta, apesar das concentrações de MDA e prolina aumentarem com o teor disponível de Ni no solo na pré-antese. Com relação ao N, houve incremento na redistribuição de N dos órgãos de reserva (ramo) para atender a demanda de folha e fruto. / Nitrogen is the nutrient required in greatest quantity by the coffee and the second most exported within the plant. Usually, N is applied as urea to coffee and urea-N is rapidly metabolized and incorporated into amino acids and amides. The assimilation of N is affected by several micronutrients, including nickel (Ni). Ni is a constituent of urease, the sole enzyme responsible for degradation (and subsequent assimilation) of urea. Understanding Ni interaction with N metabolism and the aging process is important for the efficient use of nitrogen by coffee, and by plants in general. Little is known about Ni nutrition as it relates to N metabolism in leaf senescence and its possible interference in the absorption and transfer of other nutrients. The present study was conducted in coffee to assess whether the application of Ni (i) interferes with the absorption and transfer of other nutrients as well as biomass partitioning; (Ii) increases the nitrogen use efficiency, both for greater degradation of urea via urease activity, and increased redistribution of nitrogen reserves by increased catabolism of arginine; and (iii) delays leaf senescence by decreasing endogenous ethylene production, thereby increasing leaf duration. Ni application reduced biomass of coffee only at the highest level of soil availability (105 mg dm-3). This level also brought about the reduction in biomass concentration and accumulation of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca and mg). With respect to mineral micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn), gradual increases in available Ni content, either reduced or gradually increased the concentration of these micronutrients. N-use efficiency ratios in coffee were affected only by variations in management of N, and not by changes in available soil Ni . Soil Ni applications to 60 mg dm-3 did not affect the growth of the coffee plant, but increased foliar retention under N limitation. Ni reduced plant ethylene biosynthesis, in spite of the concentrations of MDA and proline increasing rising with increasing soil Ni during pre-anthesis. As Ni levels rose, there was an increase in the redistribution of N of storage organs (branch) to meet the demand of leaf and fruit.

In durum wheat (<i>Triticum turgidum</i> L. var <i>durum</i>), grain protein concentration (GPC) and gluten quality are among the important factors influencing pasta-making quality. Semolina with high protein content produces pasta with increased tolerance to overcooking and greater cooked firmness. However, genetic improvement of GPC is difficult largely because of its negative correlation with grain yield, and a strong genotype x environment interaction. Therefore, identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for high GPC and the associated markers is a priority to enhance selection efficiency in breeding durum wheat for elevated GPC. At a physiological level, GPC is influenced by several factors including nitrogen remobilization from vegetative organs and direct post-anthesis nitrogen uptake (NUP) from the soil. Understanding the relationship between elevated GPC and nitrogen remobilization, and post-anthesis NUP will enable durum wheat breeders to develop varieties that not only produce high yield and high GPC, but also exhibit better nitrogen use efficiency. The objectives of this study were: (1) to identify and validate QTL for elevated GPC in two durum wheat populations; and (2) to determine if elevated GPC is due to more efficient nitrogen remobilization and/or greater post-anthesis NUP. A genetic map was constructed with SSR and DArT® markers in a doubled haploid population from the cross Strongfield x DT695, and GPC data were collected in replicated trials in six Canadian environments from 2002 to 2005. Two stable QTL for high GPC, QGpc.usw-B3 on chromosome 2B and QGpc.usw-A3 on 7A, were identified. Strongfield, the high GPC parent, contributed the alleles for elevated GPC at both QTL. These two QTL were not associated with variation in grain weight (seed size) or grain yield. QGpc.usw-A3 was validated in a second Strongfield-derived population as that QTL was significant in all six testing environments. Averaged over five locations, selection for QGpc.usw-A3 resulted in a +0.4% to +1.0% increase in GPC, with only small effects on yield in most environments. A physiological study of grain protein accumulation revealed that regardless of the growing condition, nitrogen remobilization was the major contributor for grain nitrogen in durum genotypes evaluated, accounting for an average of 84.3% of total GPC. This study confirmed that introgression of Gpc-B1 into Langdon resulted in increased GPC, and this GPC increase was due to higher N remobilization. Strongfield expressed greater N remobilization than DT695 and the semi-dwarf cultivar Commander, but N remobilization was not the determining factor for Strongfields elevated GPC. Strongfield expressed greater post-anthesis NUP than DT695. Similarly, a selection of six high-GPC doubled haploid (DH) lines from the cross DT695 x Strongfield expressed significantly greater post-anthesis NUP than six low-GPC DH selections, supporting the hypothesis that elevated GPC in Strongfield is derived from greater post-anthesis NUP. All six high-GPC DH selections carried the Strongfield allele at QGpc.usw-A3, suggesting this QTL maybe associated with post-anthesis NUP.

In durum wheat (<i>Triticum turgidum</i> L. var <i>durum</i>), grain protein concentration (GPC) and gluten quality are among the important factors influencing pasta-making quality. Semolina with high protein content produces pasta with increased tolerance to overcooking and greater cooked firmness. However, genetic improvement of GPC is difficult largely because of its negative correlation with grain yield, and a strong genotype x environment interaction. Therefore, identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for high GPC and the associated markers is a priority to enhance selection efficiency in breeding durum wheat for elevated GPC. At a physiological level, GPC is influenced by several factors including nitrogen remobilization from vegetative organs and direct post-anthesis nitrogen uptake (NUP) from the soil. Understanding the relationship between elevated GPC and nitrogen remobilization, and post-anthesis NUP will enable durum wheat breeders to develop varieties that not only produce high yield and high GPC, but also exhibit better nitrogen use efficiency. The objectives of this study were: (1) to identify and validate QTL for elevated GPC in two durum wheat populations; and (2) to determine if elevated GPC is due to more efficient nitrogen remobilization and/or greater post-anthesis NUP. A genetic map was constructed with SSR and DArT® markers in a doubled haploid population from the cross Strongfield x DT695, and GPC data were collected in replicated trials in six Canadian environments from 2002 to 2005. Two stable QTL for high GPC, QGpc.usw-B3 on chromosome 2B and QGpc.usw-A3 on 7A, were identified. Strongfield, the high GPC parent, contributed the alleles for elevated GPC at both QTL. These two QTL were not associated with variation in grain weight (seed size) or grain yield. QGpc.usw-A3 was validated in a second Strongfield-derived population as that QTL was significant in all six testing environments. Averaged over five locations, selection for QGpc.usw-A3 resulted in a +0.4% to +1.0% increase in GPC, with only small effects on yield in most environments. A physiological study of grain protein accumulation revealed that regardless of the growing condition, nitrogen remobilization was the major contributor for grain nitrogen in durum genotypes evaluated, accounting for an average of 84.3% of total GPC. This study confirmed that introgression of Gpc-B1 into Langdon resulted in increased GPC, and this GPC increase was due to higher N remobilization. Strongfield expressed greater N remobilization than DT695 and the semi-dwarf cultivar Commander, but N remobilization was not the determining factor for Strongfields elevated GPC. Strongfield expressed greater post-anthesis NUP than DT695. Similarly, a selection of six high-GPC doubled haploid (DH) lines from the cross DT695 x Strongfield expressed significantly greater post-anthesis NUP than six low-GPC DH selections, supporting the hypothesis that elevated GPC in Strongfield is derived from greater post-anthesis NUP. All six high-GPC DH selections carried the Strongfield allele at QGpc.usw-A3, suggesting this QTL maybe associated with post-anthesis NUP.

This thesis tested the hypothesis that nitrogen use efficiency of subirrigated potted chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) can be improved by managing the NO3- status of the plant. Replacement of NO3- with water one week prior to flower development was the most effective method of reducing tissue NO3- content and improving the nitrogen usage index, as compared to various combinations of NO3- and Cl-. Shoot or flower dry mass and N content were unaffected and the medium electrical conductivity was reduced. Supplying N in the NH4+ form in combination with NO3- did not affect nitrogen use indices. Reducing N supply improved various indices of nitrogen use efficiency, with a slight loss of quality. Elimination of NO3- prior to flower development and reduction in N supplied are effective strategies for improving nitrogen use efficiency in subirrigated potted chrysanthemums without sacrificing quality. / Cecil Delworth Foundation

A expansão da área de cultivo da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) para solos marginais e a necessidade de manutenção da alta produtividade tem levado a maior aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados na cultura. Esta prática, porém, incorre em altos custos financeiros e ambientais. Comparado a outras culturas, cana-de-açúcar possui baixa resposta a aplicação de fertilizantes nitrogenados, mas as causas desta baixa eficiência no uso de N (NUE) permanecem desconhecidas. Na tentativa de compreender os mecanismos envolvidos no NUE em cana-de-açúcar, este trabalho realizou a caracterização fisiológica dos processos de absorção de nitrato e remobilização de N por estudos de cinética de absorção e experimentos de translocação de 15N. Além disso, analisou-se o perfil de expressão de genes codificadores de transportadores de nitrato (NRTs - NITRATE TRANSPORTERS). Plantas da cultivar \'SP80-3280\' foram expostas à condições distintas de suplemento de N para investigar a regulação do processo de aquisição. Além de comprovar a menor eficiência da cana-de-açúcar na aquisição de nitrato quando comparada com amônio, foi demonstrada a presença de sistema de transporte de alta afinidade (HATS, High Affinity Transport System) para ambas as fontes de N presentes em raízes, induzido sob baixas concentrações externas de N e/ou sob baixo status de N na planta. Observou-se que amônio regula negativamente a absorção de nitrato, modulando a expressão dos genes envolvidos neste processo. Em plantas sob condições de deficiência de N (-N) foi verificada a regulação tardia do HATS responsável pela aquisição de nitrato. A ausência de correlação entre o influxo de 15N e acúmulo de transcritos de transportadores de nitrato sugere a existência de uma regulação pós-transcricional dos transportadores do HATS em raízes submetidas a provisão de nitrato. Para caracterizar o processo de remobilização, plantas foram submetidas a condições contrastantes de disponibilidade de N na tentativa de identificar o mecanismo pelo qual nitrato pode ser regulado durante este processo. Apesar da reduzida eficiência na aquisição e estoque de nitrato, cana-de-açúcar possui a capacidade de utilizar nitrato como fonte de N, e em condições suficientes de suplemento de N, nitrato e amônio são utilizados como fonte de N. Sob restrição de N, porém, nitrato apresenta maior fluxo em raízes e colmos, enquanto que amônio ainda permanece como fonte de N em folhas jovens devido a alteração no carregamento de nitrato no xilema. Todavia, o suplemento de nitrato a ser reduzido e assimilado em folhas parece ter origem no colmo. Portanto, a modulação da expressão dos transportadores NRT assegura a alocação de nitrato em cana-de-açúcar quando N é limitante em solos / The expansion of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivated area to marginal lands and the need to maintain high yield have led to increasing application of nitrogen fertilizers. However, this practice represents high economic and environmental costs. Compared to other crops, sugarcane displays a low response to N fertilization, but the causation of the low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remains unknown. To understand the mechanism involved in NUE, this study was carried out to conduct the physiological characterization of nitrate uptake and N remobilization in sugarcane by uptake kinetic analysis and translocation experiments using 15N. Further, the expression profile of genes encoding nitrate transporters (NRTs - NITRATE TRANSPORTERS) involved in both processes was determined. Plantlets of cultivar \'SP80-3280\' were exposed to various N supplement conditions to investigate the regulation of the uptake process. The lower efficiency in nitrate acquisition compared to ammonium was corroborated and extended for low N conditions. The occurrence in sugarcane roots of high affinity uptake systems (HATS, High Affinity Transport System) for both N sources,, induced at low external concentrations of N and/or low N status in the plant was confirmed. Ammonium negatively regulates nitrate uptake by modulating the expression of genes involved in this process. Plants under N deficiency (-N) exhibited a late regulation of HATS responsible for nitrate uptake. The lack of correlation between 15N influx and transcript accumulation of nitrate transporter genes suggests the existence of a post-transcriptional regulation of HATS in roots subjected to nitrate resupply. To characterize the remobilization process, plants were submitted to contrasting conditions of N availability to identify the mechanisms by which nitrate may be affected during this process. Despite the low efficiency of nitrate uptake and storage, sugarcane demonstrates the ability to use nitrate as N source. In N sufficient conditions (+N), ammonium and nitrate are used as N source. Under restriction of N, however, nitrate has increased flow in roots and stems, while ammonium remains as N source to young leaves by change in nitrate loading into the xylem. However, the source of the nitrate to be reduced and assimilated in leaves appears to be originated from the culm. Therefore, modulation of NRT transporters expression ensures nitrate allocation in sugarcane when N is limited in soils

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-12-13Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:40:04Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 bogiani_jc_dr_botfca.pdf: 1367437 bytes, checksum: 8627008381df0562aa354eb688e4a659 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O boro é um micronutriente de grande importância para o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas. Este elemento tem baixa mobilidade no floema e é reconhecidamente o micronutriente cuja deficiência é mais comum no algodoeiro. Partindo-se da hipótese de existe diferença de resposta ao B entre cultivares de algodão, este trabalho teve como objetivo, estudar a absorção e mobilidade do boro disponibilizado via solução nutritiva, em três cultivares de algodão, bem como, a conseqüência de uma eventual deficiência do nutriente na fotossíntese das plantas. O experimento foi conduzido em condições de casa de vegetação e as plantas foram cultivadas em vasos contendo solução nutritiva. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de três cultivares de algodão (FMT 701, DP 604BG e FMX 993), e cinco doses de boro na solução nutritiva (0,0 – 2,5 – 5,0 – 10,0 e 20,0 μmol L-1). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial com 3 cultivares x 5 doses. Foram feitas avaliações visuais dos sintomas de deficiência, durante todo o experimento, sendo os sintomas anotados e fotografados. As avaliações fisiológicas foram feitas quando as plantas atingiram o estádio de emissão do primeiro botão floral e foram repetidas após uma e quatro semanas após este estádio. As avaliações fitotécnicas e nutricionais foram feitas em quatro semanas, com a primeira iniciando uma semana após a o estádio de emissão do primeiro botão floral. Os resultados obtidos neste experimento levaram a concluir que: A época de aparecimento e a intensidade de sintomas de deficiência de boro entre cultivares de algodão é diferente. A cultivar DP604BG é inicialmente menos exigente em B, porém, há necessidade de maior disponibilidade de boro no meio nutritivo para evitar o aparecimento de deficiência. O crescimento do algodoeiro... / Boron is an micronutrient of great importance for growth and development of plants. This element has low mobility in the phloem and is known to the micronutrient whose deficiency is more common in cotton. Based on the hypothesis that there is difference of sensitivity to B between cotton cultivars, this work aimed to study the uptake and mobility of boron available in nutrient solution at three cotton cultivars, as well as the consequence of boron deficiency in the photosynthesis of plants. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions and plants were grown in plots containing nutrient solution. The treatments were constituted of three cotton cultivars (FMT 701, DP 604BG and FMX 993), and five doses of boron in the nutrient solution (0.0 - 2,5 - 5.0 to 10.0 and 20.0 mmol L -1). The experimental design used was the completely randomized with four replications in outline factorial 3 cultivars x 5 doses. Evaluations were made of visual deficiency symptoms during all of experiment period and the symptoms recorded and photographed. Physiological evaluations were made when the plants reached the season of first flower bud and were repeated after one and four weeks after this season. Agronomic parameters and nutritional available were made in four weeks, with the first available starting one week after the season of first stage bud. Time of appearance and severity of symptoms of boron deficiency between cotton cultivars is different. Cultivar DP604BG is initially less boron requiring, but there is need of great availability boron in the nutrient solution to prevent the appearance of deficiency. The cotton growth was loss by boron deficiency regardless of differences of symptoms appearance, without deference between cultivars. The boron deficiency affect the physiological activity of three cotton cultivars

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:05:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 revoredo_md_dr_jabo.pdf: 666287 bytes, checksum: e4dce86eafdc425b360771859be411ab (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do aumento da densidade populacional sobre o metabolismo de C e N, a remobilização e exportação dos nutrientes e as características agronômicas das plantas de milho, conduziu-se um experimento nas condições de campo em Jaboticabal-SP (48°15’18’’W e 21°15’22’’S), na safra 2005/2006. Os tratamentos se basearam em cinco densidades populacionais do híbrido AG 9010 (30, 45, 60, 75 e 90 mil plantas por ha), com quatro repetições. A adubação de semeadura foi realizada com 320 kg ha-1 da fórmula 05-15-10 e, em cobertura foram aplicados 134 kg ha-1 de N na forma de sulfato de amônio. As avaliações foram realizadas nos estádios de pendoamento (VT) e de grão pastoso (R4), e na colheita final de grãos. O acúmulo de massa seca, dos metabólitos e as atividades enzimáticas do metabolismo de C e N (em R4) nos colmos, folhas e grãos por planta de milho diminuíram em função do aumento da densidade populacional, exceto a invertase solúvel nos grãos e sacarose sintase na folha. O estudo do metabolismo das plantas em condições de campo assemelhou-se aos de cultivo de grãos in vitro, quanto aos aminoácidos livres e a atividade da sacarose sintase. A elevação da densidade de plantas promoveu um maior redirecionamento de fotoassimilados para os grãos, uma redução do acúmulo dos macro e micronutrientes e da eficiência de remobilização de N e K, da parte vegetativa para os grãos, e aumento na eficiência do uso dos nutrientes N, P e K. O incremento na densidade populacional aumentou a altura das plantas e inserção da espiga, diminuiu o número de espigas por planta, o número de grãos por espiga, da massa de mil grãos e da massa de grãos por espiga. A produtividade de grãos e a exportação dos nutrientes aumentaram com o aumento da densidade populacional. / With the objective of evaluating the effect of the population density increase on the C and N metabolism, the nutrients remobilization and exportation and the agronomic characteristics of corn plants, a field experiment was carried out, at Jaboticabal-SP (48°15’18’’W e 21°15’22’’S), in the agricultural year of 2005/2006. The plots were represented by five population densities of the hybrid AG 9010 (30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 thousand plants per hectare), with four replications. Sowing fertilization was performed with 320 kg ha-1 of the formula 05-15-10 and side dressing with 134 kg ha-1 of N, by the form of ammonium sulfate. The variables were measured on the stages of tassel (VT) and pasty grain (R4), and final grain harvest. The dry mass storage of the metabolites and enzymatic activities of C and N metabolism (in R4) in the stalks, leaves and corn plant grains deceased in function of the population density increase, except for the soluble invertase in the grains and sucrose syntax in the leaves. In relation to free aminoacids and sucrose syntax activity, the study of plant metabolism on field conditions was very similar to the studies of grains in vitro. The plant density increase promoted a bigger redirection of assimilates for the grains, reduction of the macro and micronutrients storage and of the N and K remobilization efficiency, from the vegetative parts to the grains, and increased the use efficiency of N, P and K nutrients. The enhance of the population density raised the plant height and insertion of the first ear, decreased the number of ears per plant, number of grains per ear, mass of a thousand grains and grain mass per ear. Grain yield and nutrient exportation rose with the population density increase.