The effect of plant-root N-status on bacterial growth in the rhizosphere was studied with 5-week-old wheat plants grown in soil with low N content obtained by mixing 9:1 gravel:sandy loam. As a consequence of N limitation, significant increase in³Hthymidine (Tdr) incorporation rate occured 3 days after addition of 30 mM ammonium compared to controls without ammonium. Plants were grown with split-roots to separate the effect of soil N from effect of plant root derived organic matter-N on bacterial activity. The increase in nitrate concentration from 10 mM to 30 mM at one part of the root system led to significant increased³HT dr incorporation in the rhizosphere at the other part of root system after 4 days showing that the composition of root exudates became more favourable for bacterial growth when plants were fertilized with the higher level of nitrate.