Abstract
The effect of NO3 −:NH4 + ratio (14:1, 9:6, 7.5:7.5, 1:14, total 15 mmol/L N) in the nutrient solution on biomass, root morphology, and C and N metabolism parameter in hydroponically grown oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) was evaluated. The dry weights of leaves and roots were significantly largest at the equal NO3 −:NH4 + ratio (7.5:7.5) compared with those of high NO3 −:NH4 + ratio (14:1) or low NO3 −:NH4 + ratio (1:14). Additionally, low NO3 −:NH4 + ratio (1:14) reduced total root length and root surface area compared with the equal NO3 −:NH4 + ratio (7.5:7.5), while high NO3 −:NH4 + ratio (14:1) did not show any significant effect on root morphology except average diameter. The maximum of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid were obtained under 7.5:7.5 treatment, whereas the maximum of the leaf net photosynthetic (P n), stomatal conductance (G s) and transpiration rate (T r) were increased with increase in NH4 + concentration in the nutrient solution. The activity of nitrate reductase (NR) showed a significant difference at different NO3 −:NH4 + ratios and ranged 9:6 > 7.5:7.5 > 14:1 > 1:14, whereas the range of soluble sugar and soluble protein was 7.5:7.5 > 1:14 > 9:6 > 14:1. Our study reveals that oilseed rape growth is greater under 7.5:7.5 treatment than that under three other treatments. Oilseed rape growth at high or low NO3 −:NH4 + ratios was inhibited by decreased pigments, NR activity, soluble sugar, and soluble protein, whereas subdued root growth should be apprehended considerate under high NH4 + condition.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Mr. Dawood Anser Saeed (College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University) for grammatical corrections. This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development program of China (2016YFD0200108), the Fundamental National Key Project of Science and Technology (2014BAD14B02) and the 948 Project from the Ministry of Agriculture of China (2016-X41).
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Communicated by B. Zheng.
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Qin, S., Sun, X., Hu, C. et al. Effect of NO3 −:NH4 + ratios on growth, root morphology and leaf metabolism of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings. Acta Physiol Plant 39, 198 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-017-2491-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-017-2491-9