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. 1978 Jun;61(6):900–903. doi: 10.1104/pp.61.6.900

Sulfur Deprivation and Nitrogen Metabolism in Maize Seedlings 1

James W Friedrich 1, Larry E Schrader 1
PMCID: PMC1092008  PMID: 16660422

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to elucidate the manner in which N metabolism is influenced by S nutrition. Maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings supplied with Hoagland solution minus SO42− exhibited S deficiency symptoms 12 days after emergence. Prior to development of these symptoms, a decline in leaf blade nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) activity was observed in S-deprived seedlings compared to normal seedlings. Twelve days after emergence, in vitro NR activity was diminished 50% compared to normal seedlings. Glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) and NAD-glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2) activities were less severely affected (19 and 13%, respectively, at day 12). NADP-glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.4) activity and leaf blade fresh weight were not altered by S deprivation. Concentrations of soluble protein and chlorophyll (a and b) in leaf blades were reduced 18 and 25%, respectively, at day 12. A significantly higher concentration of NO3−-N was observed for leaf blade and stem (culms, leaf sheaths, and unfurled leaves) fractions (46 and 31%, respectively) in S-deprived plants. In contrast to the other parameters measured, NR activity in S-deprived seedlings could be readily restored to the normal level by addition of SO42−. The apparent preferential effect of S deprivation on NR activity could be causally related to the observed changes in NO3−-N and soluble protein concentration.

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Selected References

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