Nodule and Leaf Nitrate Reductases and Nitrogen Fixation in Medicago sativa L. under Water Stress

The effect of water stress on patterns of nitrate reductase activity in the leaves and nodules and on nitrogen fixation were investigated in Medicago sativa L. plants watered 1 week before drought with or without NO(3) (-). Nitrogen fixation was decreased by water stress and also inhibited strongly by the presence of NO(3) (-). During drought, leaf nitrate reductase activity (NRA) decreased significantly particularly in plants watered with NO(3) (-), while with rewatering, leaf NRA recovery was quite important especially in the NO(3) (-)-watered plants. As water stress progressed, the nodular NRA increased both in plants watered with NO(3) (-) and in those without NO(3) (-) contrary to the behavior of the leaves. Beyond -15.10(5) pascal, nodular NRA began to decrease in plants watered with NO(3) (-). This phenomenon was not observed in nodules of plants given water only.Upon rewatering, it was observed that in plants watered with NO(3) (-) the nodular NRA increased again, while in plants watered but not given NO(3) (-), such activity began to decrease. Nitrogen fixation increased only in plants without NO(3) (-).