Abstract
The effects of nitrogen applied at increasing levels of 0, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mM N (KNO3 or NH4Cl) were studied in faba bean (Vicia faba) nodulated byRhizobium leguminosarum bv.viceae RCR lool. Nitrogenase activity was higher at 4 and 8 mM N than the zero N treatment (control), but 16 and 32 mM N significantly reduced the efficiency of nodule functions. Nitrate reductase activities (NRA) of leaves, stems, roots, nodules and nodule fractions (bacteroid and cytosol) were increased with rising the NO3 − or NH4 + levels. NRA decreased in the order of nodules>leaves>stems>roots. Cytosolic NR was markedly higher than that recorded in the bacteroid fractions. Nitrate levels were linearly correlated to NRA of nodules. Accumulation of NO2 − within nodules suggests that NO2 − inhibits nodule’s activity after feeding plants with NO3 − or NH4 +.
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Abbreviations
- ARA:
-
acetylene-reducing activity
- DAP:
-
days after planting
- N2ase:
-
nitrogenase
- NA:
-
nitrogenase activity
- NR:
-
nitrate reductase
- NRA:
-
nitrate reductase activity
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Wahab, A.M.A., Abd-Alla, M.H. Effect of form and level of applied nitrogen on nitrogenase and nitrate reductase activities in faba beans. Biol Plant 37, 57–64 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02912998
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02912998