Abstract
A FEATURE of the nitrogen metabolism of plants which has received little attention is the possibility of considerable losses of nitrogen during the process of nitrate reduction. It is generally agreed that this process leads first to the production of nitrites, and the presence of nitrites in plants actively engaged in nitrate reduction has been shown by Eggleton1. As plant tissues are normally acid, nitrous acid should be present, and this should combine with mono-amino nitrogen to give elementary nitrogen. It is well known that this reaction is rapid in vitro2. It has been shown by Irving and Hankinson3 that Elodea produces elementary nitrogen when immersed in solutions containing nitrates and asparagine as a source of amino-nitrogen.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Biochem. J., 29, 1389 (1935).
Van Slyke, J. Biol. Chem., 12, 375 (1912).
Biochem. J., 3, 87 (1907).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PEARSALL, W., BILLIMORIA, M. Nitrogen Losses in Green Plants. Nature 138, 801–802 (1936). https://doi.org/10.1038/138801c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/138801c0
This article is cited by
-
Stickstoffbilanz und Stickstoffverlust
Planta (1938)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.