Nitrate, nitrite and ammonia assimilation by leaves: Effect of light, carbon dioxide and oxygen

Abstract

The assimilation of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia in barley, wheat, corn and bean leaves was studied using (15)N-labelled molecules and either leaf chamber experiments with the uptake of the nitrogen species in the transpiration stream, or vacuum-infiltration experiments. The assimilation of (15)NO3 (-) into amino nitrogen was strictly dependent on light and ceased abruptly when the light was extinguished. If the leaves were exposed to air, CO2-free air or N2 there was no effect on the rate of NO3 (-) assimilation over 0.5 h. After 1.25 h of CO2-free air, NO3 (-) assimilation into amino acids was sharply reduced. Resupply of air at this time stimulated NO3 (-) assimilation and restored it to the rate observed in leaves exposed to air only. There was no recovery by tissue pretreated for 1.25 h in N2 and subsequently resupplied with air. Incorporation of (15)NO2 (-) was also markedly dependent on light with little reduction occurring in the dark. Incorporation of (15)NH4 (+) into amino acids was stimulated 5 fold by light but considerable incorporation occurred in the dark. The presence of 100 mM NO3 (-) had no effect on the rate of incorporation of (15)NO2 (-) or (15)NH4 (+). Nitrite at 1 mM had no effect on (15)NO3 (-) incorporation but at 10 mM inhibited it completely after 0.5 h. Ammonia at 1 mM had no effect on (15)NO3 (-) or (15)NO2 (-) incorporation and while 10 mM inhibited incorporation for 0.5 h this inhibition did not persist.