Does bicarbonate affect the nitrate utilization and photosynthesis of Orychophragmus violaceus?

Abstract

The effect of bicarbonate (HCO3−) on the growth and development of plants varies by species. To better understand inorganic carbon and nitrogen assimilation changes of karst-adaptable plants under different HCO3− treatments, we conducted experiments on seedlings and in vitro plantlets of Orychophragmus violaceus (Ov). We found that the vital photosynthesis potential (as measured by net photosynthetic rate, actual photochemical efficiency of photosystem-II, photochemical quenching coefficient, and the instantaneous carbon isotope ratio of 3-phosphoglycerate) was consistent under different HCO3− treatments of Ov. Bicarbonate’s lack of effect on carbon assimilation of Ov may be related to carbonic anhydrase in Ov converting HCO3− to H2O and CO2. In this way, Ov could prevent HCO3− ion toxicity and high pH from harming its growth and development under HCO3− stress. This study also found that high HCO3− concentrations could promote nitrogen assimilation and utilization of Ov through changes in related indexes (foliar nitrogen isotope fractionation ratio, stable nitrogen isotope assimilation ratio, foliar stable nitrogen isotope fractionation, nitrate nitrogen utilization efficiency, and nitrate utilization share) under different HCO3− treatments. Bicarbonate has different effects on photosynthesis and on inorganic nitrogen assimilation of Ov, which may be connected to photosynthesis providing electrons for nitrate/nitrite reduction through the photosynthetic chain.