The partitioning of plant body into morphological but also functional modules has previously been described namely with respect to carbon metabolism and plant defence reactions. An important role in connecting plant parts play vascular tissues, which ensure distribution of various compounds including signal molecules within plant. The organization of vascular connections in plant (architecture of xylem and floem) may significantly affect the ability of plant to respond to environmental conditions that are highly variable and heterogeneous. The proposed project is focused on scarcely studied relationship between the modular organisation of plant into sectors (i.e. some parts of root and shoot with direct vascular connection) and its mineral nutrition. The evaluation of the effect of heterogeneous nutrient supply on two tree species (Picea abies, Thuja occidentalis) differing in their vascular architecture will be based on estimation of nitrogen (N) uptake rates, N distribution and efficiency of N use and also on growth rate of plants. The relationships disclosed in experiments with saplings will be also verified for mature trees in the field. Simple models describing utilisation of N in both species will be constructed in the final synthesis of results. The results of this project will be useful not only for plant physiology and ecology but they will be also usable for cultivation practices and in tree protection.

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