Abstract
Nodulation was inhibited in plants of green gram (Vigna radiata, cvs. ADT-1 and CO-5) exposed to different levels of simulated acid rain using a mixture of H2SO4, HNO3 and HCl (6:3:1) of pH 2.5, 4.0 and 5.5 in comparison with control (pH 7.0). Protein content of leaves increased in cv. CO-5 but decreased in cv. ADT-1 whereas the nitrate content of leaves increased in cv. ADT-1 but lowered in cv. CO-5. Nitrate reductase activity was increased in the nodular roots of cv. ADT-1 but was decreased in leaves. In cv. CO-5 it was increased in leaves but was insignificantly reduced in the nodules at pH 2.5. The nodule nitrogenase activity increased at pH 4.0 and 2.5 in cv. ADT-1.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beevers, L., Hageman, R.H.: Nitrate reduction in higher plants.-Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 20: 495-522, 1969.
Evans, L.S., Curry, T.M., Lewin, K.F.: Responses of leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to simulated acidic rain.-New Phytol. 88: 403-420, 1981.
Gates, C.T., Muller, W.J.: Nodule and plant development in the soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr: Growth responses to nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur.-Aust. J. Bot. 27: 203-215, 1979.
Jaworski, E.G.: Nitrate reductase in intact plant tissue.-Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 43: 1274-1279, 1971.
Kohno, Y., Kobayashi, T.: Effect of simulated acid rain on the growth of soybean.-Water Air Soil Pollut. 43: 11-19, 1989.
Lowry, O.H., Rosebrough, N.J., Farr, A.L., Randall, R.J.: Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent.-J. biol. Chem. 193: 265-275, 1951.
McLaughlin, S.B., Shriner, D.S.: Allocation of resources to defense and repair.-In: Horsfall, J.G., Cowling, E.B. (ed.): Plant Disease: An Advanced Treatise. Vol. 5, Pp. 407-431. Academic Press, New York 1980.
Muthuchelian, K., Murugan, C., Harigovindan, R., Nedunchezian, N., Kulandaivelu, G.: Growth, 14CO2 fixation, activities of photosystems, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and nitrate reductase in trees as affected by simulated acid rain.-Biol. Plant. 37: 355-362, 1995.
Muthuchelian, K., Nedunchezhian, N., Kulandaivelu, G.: Effect of simulated acid rain on 14CO2 fixation, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and nitrate and nitrite reductase in Vigna sinensis and Phaseolus mungo.-Photosynthetica 28: 361-367, 1993.
Norby, R.J., Takemoto, B.K., Johnston, J.W., Shriner, D.S.: Acetylene reduction rate as a physiological indicator of the response of field-grown soybeans to simulated acid rain and ambient gaseous pollutants.-Environ. exp. Bot. 26: 285-290, 1986.
Oden, S.: The acidification of air and precipitation and its consequences on the natural environment-Swed. nat. Sci. Res. Council, Stockholm. Bull. No 1, 1968.
Park, C.C.: Acid Rain-Rhetoric and Reality.-Methuen, London-New York 1987.
Shriner, D.S.: Johnston, J.W.: Effects of simulated acidified rain on nodulation of leguminous plants by Rhizobium spp.-Environ. exp. Bot. 21: 199-209, 1981.
Stewart, W.D.P., Fitzgerald, G.P., Burris, R.H.: In situ studies on nitrogen fixation using the acetylene reduction technique.-Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. USA 58: 2071-2078, 1967.
Woolley, J.T., Hicks, G.P., Hageman, R.H.: Rapid determination of nitrate and nitrite in plant material.-J. agr. Food Chem. 8: 481-482, 1960.
Zar, J.H.: Bio-Statistical Analysis.-Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs 1984.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kumaravelu, G., Ramanujam, M. Effect of simulated acid rain on nodulation and nitrogen metabolism in Vigna radiata cultivars. Biologia Plantarum 41, 445–450 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001862829885
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001862829885