The Function of the Pod at Protein Storage in the Seeds of Vicia faba L.: III. Nitrate Reductase in Developing Pods and Seeds of Legu.minosae

Abstract

Summary Using the in vivo assay of nitrate reductase it was established that pericarps of the fruits of Vicia faba L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. are able to reduce nitrate actively. The capacity of nitrate reduction changes in accordance with the developmental stages of pericarp ontogenesis. Nitrate reductase activity was demonstrated in seed coats and cotyledons of ripening fruits of Vicia faba L., too. In contrast to this finding we were unable to demonstrate nitrate reductase activity in ripening seeds of Phoseolus vulgaris L., although in germinating seeds it was possible to induce nitrate reductase at light conditions in the presence of exogenous nitrate. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to the physiological function of pericarps in relation to protein storage in the seeds.