Abstract
With urea as sole nitrogen source, the addition of 5×10-5 M nickel sulfate to axenic cultures of Lemna paucicostata 6746 approximately doubles the rate of vegetative growth. Under a standard light-dark schedule, Ni2+ changes the daily pattern of respiratory CO2 output on urea from one having a single daily peak to one with two daily peaks which resembles that on ammonium or nitrate as sole nitrogen source. It also increases CO2 output by as much as 3-fold on a fresh-weight basis. These data represent the first confirmation in an intact higher plant of proposals, based on enzymology and tissue culture responses, for a role of Ni2+ in urea metabolism. Further, they indicate the possible existence of two distinct pathways of urea utilization.
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Gordon, W.R., Schwemmer, S.S. & Hillman, W.S. Nickel and the metabolism of urea by Lemna paucicostata Hegelm. 6746. Planta 140, 265–268 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390258
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390258