Compensatory Changes in the Partitioning of Dry Matter in Relation to Nitrogen Uptake and Optimal Variations in Growth

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Abstract
Equations are derived relating relative growth rate (RGR) to root:shoot ratio, root length, nitrogen inflow rate, leaf area, photosynthesis and carbon and nitrogen concentrations in the plant. The extents to which changes in specific root length and root: shoot ratio can compensate for the effects of low N availability upon RGR are examined. Such responses could have several compensatory functions: maximizing RGR; maintaining growth in which the activities of root and shoot limit RGR equally; and maximizing the efficiency of increase in RGR.