Response of water balance and nitrogen assimilation in cucumber seedlings to CO2 enrichment and salt stress

Abstract

The effects of CO2 enrichment on water balance and nitrogen (N) assimilation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinyou No.35) seedlings under salt stress were investigated. Two-way randomized block design was used: the main treatment consisted of two [CO2] levels, ambient and enriched (400 and 800 ± 40 μmol mol−1, respectively), and the minor treatment consisted on two salinity treatment levels, 0 and 80 mmol L−1 NaCl. The results showed that, under the experimental conditions, enriched [CO2] and salt stress significantly inhibited the N assimilation process in cucumber leaves; however, enriched [CO2] had no effect on the nitrate (NO3−) reduction or ammonium (NH4+) assimilation of leaves under salt stress, inhibiting only the transamination. Moreover, enriched [CO2] increased the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity, vacuolar membrane H+-ATPase activity and root hydraulic conductivity under salt stress, thereby increasing the ion selective absorption and water absorption capacity. To a certain extent, enriched [CO2] promoted the accumulation of K+ in plants, which significantly reduced the Na+/K+ ratio; moreover, the enrichment ultimately improved the water state conditions and helped to maintain the ion balance in plants under stress, ensuring normal enzymatic activity.