Influxes of (NO3-)-N-13 across the root plasmalemma were measured in i
ntact seedlings of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss. Three kinetically disti
nct uptake systems for NO3- were identified. In seedlings not previous
ly exposed to external NO,-, a single Michaelis-Menten-type constituti
ve high-affinity transport system (CHATS) operated in a 2.5 to 500 mu
M range of external NO3- [NO3-](o). The V-max of this system was 0.1 m
u mol g(-1) h(-1), and the K-m was approximately 15 mu M. Following ex
posure to NO3- for 3 d, this CHATS activity was increased approximatel
y 3-fold, with no change of K-m. In addition, a NO3--inducible high-af
finity system became apparent with a K-m of approximately 100 mu M. Th
e combined V-max for these discrete saturable components was 0.7 mu mo
l g(-1) h(-1). In both uninduced and induced plants a linear low-affin
ity system, additive to CHATS and an NO3--inducible high-affinity syst
em, operated at [NO3-](o) greater than or equal to 1 mM. The time take
n to achieve maximal rates of uptake (full induction)was 2 d from 1.5
mM [NO3-](o) and 3 d from 200 mu M [NO3-](o).