Growth and nitrogen status of Atriplex lampa seedlings under different water regimes

Specimens of Atriplex lampa, a fodder shrub native to the temperate arid region of Argentina, were subjected to well-watered and water stress conditions during their growing cycle. It was found that repeated periods of water stress reduced growth of all plant organs but did not affect their absolute nitrogen content, both free and bound nitrogen. There were significant differences in the two treatments in the rate of dry matter and nitrogen partitioning, which seems to play a major role in the adaptation of this plant to water shortage and poor-nitrogen soil.