SUMMARYNitrate utilization by calcicole and calcifuge species has heen measured using a field assay for nitrate reductase. Certain calcifuge species, notably members of the Ericaceae, showed no detectable enzyme activity in the field and very low values in the laboratory even after nitrate feeding. It is concluded that these species have a restricted ability to utilize nitrate. Other calcifuge species and all the species from calcareous soils had detectable nitrate reductase activities in the field and responded to nitrate addition by large increases in enzyme activities. Some of these species were used to compare nitrate utilization in a number of acidic and calcareous soils. Nitrate was utilized in all the soils, but utilization was minimal in ombrogenous peat. A comparison of closely adjacent acidic and calcareous soils showed that nitrate is an important source of inorganic combined nitrogen in at least some acidic soils.

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The effect of sulphide on the growth of several species of salt-marsh plants was investigated. Relative growth rates were significantly reduced in two upper-marsh species, Festuca rubra and Atriplexpatula, and in the lower-marsh species Puccinellia maritima. However the growth of Salicornia europaea, a species frequently associated with sulphide-containing sediments, was unaffected. In a separate experiment the wide ranging halophyte Aster tripolium, also appeared to be tolerant of sulphide at a concentration frequently encountered in salt marshes. Sulphide pretreatment inhibited the activity of two metallo-enzymes, polyphenol oxidase and external phosphatase, in plants from the upper marsh, but had no effect on enzymes from P. maritima or S. europaea. The rate of respiration by root tissue was significantly reduced in all of the species investigated but whereas the uptake of S6rubidium was markedly inhibited in the other three species, uptake by S. europaea showed a significant stimulation. Similarly, whereas sulphide-grown plants of F. rubra, A. patula and P. maritima had a considerably reduced tissue iron content, the total iron concentration in S. europaea tissues was comparable to that of the controls. When the sulphide-tolerant species A. tripolium was grown in sulphide-containing media there was no significant effect on the tissue concentration of any of the elements investigated. These results are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of sulphide toxicity and resistance.

SUMMARYPronounced seasonal trends were observed in nitrogen availability and utilization in an acidic soil supporting Deschampsia flexuosa and a calcareous soil supporting Zerna erecta. In both soils, mineralization rates and instant inorganic nitrogen concentrations were maximum in late winter/early spring after which a rapid decline occurred. A similar seasonal pattern was evident in the levels of several nitrogen-assimilating enzymes and soluble nitrogen pools in both grasses. Fertilizer experiments indicated that in both soil tj'pes nitrate formation was limited by the ammoniuni supply. Despite differences in the major form of inorganic nitrogen supplied to the plants, Deschampsia and Zerna showed similar capacities to utilize ammonium and nitrate. It is suggested that the observed seasonal enzymic response in these native species may be an adaptation to the fluctuating and low nitrogen status of natural soils.