Coleman 9709517 Plant growth and development depends upon the acquisition and use of resources. In most environments, one or more resources will be limiting during plant growth. Understanding how plants use resources and the components that contribute to the economy of use are basic to understanding plant growth, plant competition and ecosystem function. The acquisition and storage of nitrogen is thought to be an important component of woody perennial plant nitrogen dynamics. Although current theories suggest that nitrogen storage is important in woody plant growth and development, few studies have directly measured the contribution of nitrogen storage or determined how the different components of storage influence growth and development. This research will use plant biotechnology to determine how specific proteins contribute to tree nitrogen storage and how altered storage influences growth and development. The results will contribute significantly to understanding seasonal nitrogen storage in woody plants and how nitrogen storage contributes to plant growth and development. Such knowledge will contribute to understanding the utilization of nitrogen in forest ecosystems
