Changes in the biomass production and total soluble protein spectra of nitrate-fed and nitrogen-fixing soybeans subjected to gradual water stress

Abstract

The effect of the sources of nitrogen nutrition (nitrogen fixation or nitrate assimilation) and a gradual water stress on the relative water content, total fresh and dry biomass production, leaf growth, and changes in the total soluble protein spectra were studied. The plants were cultivated as soil cultures in a naturally illuminated greenhouse. Comparative studies were carried out with respect to well-watered, control plants. Nitrogen-fixing control and drought plants had relatively smaller root development but better relative water content and large leaf area on the last sampling day than nitrate-fed soybean plants. Water deficit effects on plant biomass at the end of the period studied (21 days) were independent on the nitrogen source. There was no qualitative difference in the total soluble protein spectra of nitratefed and nitrogen-fixing soybean leaves neither with the progress of development nor under drought conditions. But there was a difference in response to drought in termostable proteins of nitrate-fed and nitrogen-fixing plants. The quantity of termostable proteins in inoculated control plants was lower in some degree compared to uninoculated ones. In inoculated plants the water stress caused an increase in the amount of soluble termostable proteins