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A comparison between the utilization of storage protein and exogenous nitrate during seedling establishment in Zea mays L.
Author(s) -
WATT M. P.,
CRESSWELL C. F.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1987.tb01613.x
Subject(s) - seedling , nitrate , zea mays , germination , caryopsis , agronomy , nitrogen , nitrification , biology , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
During the first 5 d of germination in the presence of exogenous l5 NO − 3 and the inhibitor of nitrification N‐SERVE, the nitrogen reserves of the caryopses of Zea mays L. were found to account for 75% of the total nitrogen content of the developing seedlings. During this period, an increasing pool of 14 NO − 3 was detected in both the grain and the seedling. The accumulation of nitrate in the grain and the extent of hydrolysis of seed reserves were enhanced when nitrate was removed from the growing medium. The significance of a possible oxidative pathway from reduced nitrogen to nitrate is discussed.