Seasonal variation in nitrate reductase activity and protein content in response to growth in transplanted trees at Fisher forest and Lion safari of U.P.

Abstract

Nitrate reductase enzyme controls the influx of nitrate ion in the cytoplasm and reduces it to nitrite for assimilation into protein. High growth and productivity (i.e. P/R more than unity) is essential for establishment of any ecosystem. Being the component of chlorophyll porphyrin and building and functional blocks of amino acids, the nitrogen plays a crucial and important role in plant metabolism. Nitrogenase complex enzymes ensure the continuous supply of nitrogenous molecules for growth and development of plant. The present study was undertaken to study the seasonal variation in nitrate reductase activity, protein content and growth in nine important tree species of Fisher forest, Etawah viz. Azadirachta indica, Bauhinia variegata, Dalbergia sissoo, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus religiosa, Ficus virens, Kigella africana, Pongamia pinnata, Tabebuia argentea. The study establishes the relationship between nitrate reductase activity, protein content and growth of transplanted trees. Nitrate reductase activity is a valuable tool for monitoring the physiological status of a plant to environmental fluctuations. Growth of undertaken trees depends on nitrate reductase activity and protein content. However, it is observed that high protein content and not the nitrate reductase activity is always responsible for growth of plant as is evident in Dalbergia sissoo.