Nitrogen Uptake and Mobilization by Hydrangea Leaves from Foliar-sprayed Urea in Fall Depend on Plant Nitrogen Status

Abstract

Rooted liners of Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser. ‘Berlin’ were fertigated with different rates of nitrogen (N) from July to Sept. 2007 and leaves were sprayed with 15N-labeled urea in late October to evaluate urea uptake and 15N translocation by hydrangea leaves in relation to plant N status. Four plants from each N fertigation rate were harvested before they were sprayed with urea and 2, 5, 10, and 15 days after urea spray. Increasing rate of N fertigation increased plant N content in October before being sprayed with urea. Leaves rapidly absorbed 15N from urea spray. The highest rate of 15N uptake occurred during the first 2 days after urea spray and then decreased. Export of 15N from leaves occurred rapidly after uptake and the highest rate of 15N export occurred during the first 2 days after urea spray and then decreased. During the first 5 days after urea spray, the rate of 15N uptake by leaves and export from leaves decreased with increasing rate of N fertigation. On a whole plant basis, the total amount of 15N from foliar 15N–urea spray increased with increasing rate of N fertigation; however, the percentage of 15N exported from leaves and the percentage of N that derived from foliar 15N–urea spray decreased with increasing rate of N fertigation. Results suggest that hydrangea plants with lower N status in the fall are more efficient in absorbing and translocating N from foliar urea than plants with higher N status.