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Nitrogen metabolism and seed composition as influenced by foliar boron application in soybean

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Abstract

The physiological effects of foliar boron application (FB) on nitrogen metabolism and seed composition have not been well established in soybean [(Glycine max(L.)Merr.)]. Therefore, the effect of FB on nitrogen metabolism and seed composition was investigated. Nitrate assimilation was evaluated by measuring nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and nitrogen fixation was evaluated by measuring nitrogenase activity and natural abundance of 15N/14N. NRA were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in plants that received FB than the control plants. Higher rate of FB (One application of four times of commercial rate) inhibited nitrogen fixation as measured by natural abundance of 15N/14N ratio, but increased NRA. The higher activities of NR and nitrogenase by FB were accompanied with a higher B concentration in leaves. The significant (P < 0.0001) enrichment of 15N/14N, accompanied with a higher rate of FB, suggested a possible mechanism where nitrate assimilation may compensate for the decrease in nitrogen fixation. FB increased seed protein by 13.7% and oleic acid by 30.9% compared to the control plants. This alteration was accompanied by a higher B concentration in leaves and seed. The results suggest that FB affects nitrogen metabolism and alters seed compositions, especially protein and unsaturated fatty acids.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Sandra Mosley and Earl Gordon for field and lab technical assistance, and Albert Tidwell for field management. Also, we thank Leslie Price for his technical assistance on nitrogen isotope measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop Genetics and Production Research Unit, USDA-ARS, P. O. Box 345, 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

    Nacer Bellaloui & Anne M. Gillen

  2. Southern Weed Science Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

    Krishna N. Reddy

  3. Southern Insect Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA

    Craig A. Abel

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  1. Nacer Bellaloui
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  2. Krishna N. Reddy
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  3. Anne M. Gillen
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Correspondence to Nacer Bellaloui.

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Responsible Editor: Jian Feng Ma.

Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Bellaloui, N., Reddy, K.N., Gillen, A.M. et al. Nitrogen metabolism and seed composition as influenced by foliar boron application in soybean. Plant Soil 336, 143–155 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0455-6

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