FORMATION OF ASPARAGINE IN PLANTS. 



419 



the asparagine was again for the greater part consumed. (1) Sugar 

 in the nourishing solution therefore not only prevents asparagine 

 production from proteids, as Mpnteverde. has ascertained with 

 Syringa but also lowers the amount of asparagine produced 

 from ammonium salts offered to the roots ! 



IX. (A.) Experiments with " Mikazcasliima-na " 

 {Brassica campestris). 



This experiment was made on the field, the plants about 

 30°'" high with as yet very small roots were irrigated with the fol- 

 lowing solutions : — 



a, 0.1% solution of ammonium phosphate. 



b, 0.2% ,, ,, sodium nitrate. 



Duration of experiments, 8 days (Nov. 20th — Nov. 28th). 

 Total solutions applied for each case, 600 c.c. 

 The entire plants were used for analysis. 

 Table XIV. In lOO parts of dry matter : — 



Plants in 



/ — — 



Control Ammonium Sodium 



plants. phosphate. nitrate. 



Asparagine nitrogen 0.85 0.55 0.83 



Asparagine 3.99 2.60 3.90 



(Z>.) Expcrimets with Brassica Campestris, var, 

 " Swedish turnip." 

 Full grown plants with large round roots, were removed 

 from the farm, and placed in the following solutions : — 



a, 0.\% solution of ammonium nitrate. 



b, 0.02% ,," ,, ammonium carbonate. 



c, 0.2% ,, ,, sodium nitrate. 



d, distilled water. 



The plants were kept in the glass house. 



Time of experiments : — 7 days (Oct. 16th — Oct. 23rd). 



Temperature: — Min. I7°c ; Max. 40°c. 

 At the end of the experiments, the plants had suffered very 

 much, the temperature being too high, and a portion of the roots 

 died. After washing the roots and removing the dried leaves, 

 only the healthy parts were analyzed which yielded the following 

 results : — 



(I) The presence of sulphates, which I found in the leaves and stems, no doubt, 

 rendered this process possible. 



