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Influence of coumarin on the net nitrate uptake in durum wheat
Author(s) -
Abenavoli M. R.,
De Santis C.,
Sidari M.,
Sorgonà A.,
Badiani M.,
Cacco G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2001.00119.x
Subject(s) - nitrate , coumarin , shoot , chemistry , nitrogen , chromosomal translocation , allelopathy , agronomy , horticulture , biology , germination , biochemistry , organic chemistry , gene
Summary• The effects are reported here of coumarin, an allelopathic compound, on root anatomy and growth, nitrate uptake and translocation to the shoot, as well as respiration in Triticum durum (cv. Simeto) seedlings. • Wheat seedlings were grown in nitrogen‐free hydroponic culture; after 6 d, coumarin (at concentrations of 0, 25 µM, 0.1, 1, 2.5 and 5 mM) and/or nitrate (50 µM) were added to the nutrient solution. • Coumarin, in the range 25 µM–1 mM, decreased the relative growth rate of roots and increased the area of the root vessels. Within this concentration range, coumarin alone did not significantly affect net nitrate uptake. In seedlings exposed simultaneously to 100 µM coumarin and to 50 µM nitrate, the net nitrate uptake was significantly stimulated. In the presence of nitrate, even the lowest coumarin concentration tested significantly stimulated nitrate translocation from the root to the shoot. • The effects of low coumarin concentrations on root vessel size could explain this observation, though specific interactions between coumarin and systems regulating nitrate uptake and transport within the root cell cannot be excluded.