High Nitrogen Conditions Research Articles

Effects of nitrogen on mineral nutrients and cadmium accumulation in a strain of DSE mycelium under cadmium stress

The dark septate endophytic fungus (DSE) Exophiala pinsciphila was used to study the effect on growth and mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, N, P, S) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation of DSE under the different nitrogen concentration and cadmium stress (100 mg·L−1). Under cadmium stress, treatment with low nitrogen significantly increased the pH of the mycelium and culture medium, while high nitrogen significantly reduced the mycelium dry weight, the number of spores, and the pH of the culture medium. The minerals in the mycelium were significantly affected by nitrogen concentration; the Ca and P contents were significantly increased under high nitrogen conditions, while Mg and N content decreased significantly. Under normal nitrogen conditions while under cadmium stress, the nitrogen content of the mycelium was significantly decreased, while higher nitrogen significantly increased the cadmium content of the mycelium. The dry weight of DSE mycelium, the mycelium Cd content, and the mycelium Mg content were significantly negatively correlated, along with the dry weight of P and hyphae. Studies have shown that under cadmium stress, exogenously added high concentrations of nitrogen reduce DSE cadmium tolerance, inhibit growth, and cause the absorption and utilization of minerals; in contrast, low concentrations of nitrogen enhance the growth of the strain.

THE TOLERANCE AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF RICE BREEDING LINES SELECTED UNDER LOW AND OPTIMUM NITROGEN CONDITIONS

<p class="abstrakinggris">One of the important issues on rice breeding is to develop new rice lines suitable for nitrogen efficiency in the suboptimum environment. The study aimed to evaluate the tolerance and yield components of rice breeding lines selected under low and high nitrogen conditions. The F6 generation from two cross-combinations of Gampai/IR77674 and Progol/Asahan, were evaluated in the dry season of 2014 under N suboptimum and N optimum conditions. A total of 172 lines plus six check varieties derived from the low and high N environment selection were evaluated under low N rate (34.5 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>) and high N rate (138 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>), arranged in an augmented design. Six check varieties were relocated three times in each block. Plot size was 5.5 m<sup>2</sup> and plant spacing 20 cm x 20 cm. Data were collected for grain yield and major yield components. Results showed that the <span class="tlid-translation">different status of nitrogen fertilizer affected the number of productive fillers, number of filled grains, 100-grain weight, and grain yield.</span> Different cross combinations exhibited different results in the progeny performance. Ten lines have a higher yield also tolerant to low N condition, i.e. B14250F-6-9, B14250F-1-4, B14250F-9-9, B14250F-6-4, B14250F-5-2, B14262F-15-6, B14250F-2-6, B14262F-12-4, B14250F-5-1, and B14250F-11-4. Thus, to obtain the N tolerant lines, selection at a low N environment was more effective compared with the optimum selection environment.</p>

Nitrogen availability and glyphosate hormesis on white oat

Background: The effect of low rates of glyphosate has been widely studied in several crops. Low nitrogen stress reduces carbohydrate synthesis and we hypothesize that hormesis from glyphosate occurs at low nitrogen availability. Objective: To evaluate the effects of glyphosate hormesis at different levels of nitrogen on the growth and yield of white oat. Methods: A two-factor factorial (2x7) was conducted in field testing at nitrogen levels (50 and 90 kg ha-1) and low rates of glyphosate rates (0 - 180 g a.e. ha-1). The glyphosate was applied at the second node already formed. The growth and yield were evaluated. Results: Plant height was not affected by the nitrogen levels. A low rate of glyphosate induced a plant height increase up of around 10%, but the stimulus was no maintained over in the time. Glyphosate hormesis had a greater effect on dry weight under low nitrogen than under high nitrogen conditions. The glyphosate provided a 43% increase in dry weight at a low nitrogen level when applied at rates consistent with a 4.1% field rate. Glyphosate hormesis increased the yield by approximately 30%, and the yield was higher yield under low nitrogen conditions. Conclusions: The plant height stimulus from low doses of glyphosate was not sustained over time. Glyphosate hormesis stimulus persisted and culminated in an increase in dry weight and grain yield. The hormesis effect on dry weight and yield is more pronounced under lower nitrogen availability.

An Integrated Analysis of the Rice Transcriptome and Metabolome Reveals Root Growth Regulation Mechanisms in Response to Nitrogen Availability.

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and basic metabolic processes. Root systems play an important role in the ability of plants to obtain nutrients from the soil, and are closely related to the growth and development of above-ground plants. Root morphology analysis showed that root growth was induced under low-nitrogen conditions and inhibited under high-nitrogen conditions. To better understand the molecular mechanisms and metabolic basis underlying the rice root response to nitrogen availability, an integrated analysis of the rice root transcriptome and metabolome under three environmental conditions (low-, control, and high-nitrogen conditions) was conducted. A total of 262 and 262 differentially level metabolites were identified under low- and high-nitrogen conditions, respectively. A total of 696 and 808 differentially expressed genes were identified under low- and high-nitrogen conditions, respectively. For both the differentially expressed genes and metabolites, KEGG pathway analysis indicated that amino acid metabolism, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and phytohormones’ signal transduction were significantly affected by nitrogen availability. Additionally, variable levels of 65 transcription factors (TFs) were identified in rice leaves exposed to high and low nitrogen, covering 22 TF families. These results also indicate that there is a significant difference in the transcriptional regulation mechanisms of rice roots between low and high nitrogen. In summary, our study provides new information for a further understanding of the response of rice roots to low-nitrogen and high-nitrogen conditions.

Elevated ammonium delays the impairment of the coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis during labile carbon pollution

Labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a major pollutant in coastal marine environments affected by anthropogenic impacts, and may significantly contribute to coral bleaching and subsequent mortality on coastal reefs. DOC can cause bleaching indirectly through the rapid proliferation of copiotrophic and pathogenic bacteria. Here we demonstrate that labile DOC compounds can also impair the coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis by directly affecting coral physiology on both the host and algal symbiont level. In a controlled aquarium experiment, we monitored over several weeks key physiological parameters of the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to ambient and elevated labile DOC levels (0.1 and 1.0 mM) in combination with low and high nitrogen (i.e. ammonium) conditions (0.2 and 4.0 μM). At the symbiont level, DOC exposure under low ammonium availability decreased the photosynthetic efficiency accompanied by ∼75 % Chl a and ∼50 % symbiont cell reduction. The photosynthetic functioning of the symbionts recovered once the DOC enrichment ceased indicating a reversible shift between autotrophic and heterotrophic metabolism. At the host level, the assimilation of exogenous DOC sustained the tissue carbon reserves, but induced a depletion of the nitrogen reserves, indicated by ∼35 % decreased protein levels. This suggests an imbalanced exogenous carbon to nitrogen supply with nitrogen potentially limiting host metabolism on the long-term. We also demonstrate that increased ammonium availability delayed DOC-induced bleaching likely by keeping symbionts in a photosynthetically competent state, which is crucial for symbiosis maintenance and coral survival. Overall, the present study provides further insights into how coastal pollution can de-stabilize the coral-algal symbiosis and cause coral bleaching. Therefore, reducing coastal pollution and sustaining ecological integrity are critical to strengthen the resilience of coral reefs facing climate change.

Formation mechanism of Ti(C, N) solid solution in Al-brown fused alumina refractory at 1973 K in flowing N2

Brown fused alumina is a cost-effective alumina material, and the state of Ti in alumina has a great influence on its high-temperature performance. In this paper, the Ti-containing phases in brown fused alumina particles and Al-brown fused alumina refractory were successfully transformed into Ti(C,N) at 1973 K in flowing N2. The evolution of the Ti-containing phases in brown fused alumina under high temperature and nitrogen conditions was investigated by XRD, SEM and EDS. The results show that the Ti-containing phases in brown fused alumina include Ti2O3, Ti(C,N,O), TiFeSi2, Ca0·95Mg0·9Al10·1(Ti)O17 and a low-melting point Ca3Al2Si3(Mg,Ti)O12 phase. Under high temperature and nitrogen conditions, the TiO2[liquid], MgO[liquid] and SiO2[liquid] in the low-melting point phase are transformed into Ti(C,N), Mg(g) and SiO(g), while they are supplemented from Ti2O3, Ti(C,N,O) and Ca0·95Mg0·9Al10·1(Ti)O17. After heat treatment at 1973 K for 3 h, Ti2O3 and Ti(C,N,O) disappear, Ca0·95Mg0·9Al10·1(Ti)O17 is transformed into plate-like Ca0·55Al11O17.05, and Ti(C,N) is formed on the surface of the corundum particles. The formation of Ti(C,N) reduces the porosity of the brown fused alumina particles and increases their strength.

Formation mechanism and controllable preparation of Ti(C,N) in Al–TiO2–Al2O3 composite at 1673 K in flowing N2

In this paper, the Ti(C,N)–Al2O3 refractory was successfully prepared at 1673 K in flowing N2 by using brown fused alumina, rutile and Al as the raw materials, phenolic resin as the binding agent. The formation mechanism of Ti(C,N) in the Al–TiO2–C matrix and resin-bonded Al–TiO2–Al2O3 refractory was investigated by the means of XRD, SEM and EDS, respectively. Results showed that the synthesis of Ti(C,N) in Al–TiO2–C matrix required (TiO2:C)mol>1, and this condition was achieved in the Al–TiO2–Al2O3 refractory by using phenolic resin as the carbon source. When the resin-bonded Al–TiO2–Al2O3 refractory was heat-treated under high temperature and nitrogen conditions, the stability of TiO2 in the refractory decreased and gradually transformed into Ti-containing nano particles (TiO, (Al, Ti)O2 and TiC), Al3Ti and (Al–Ti)melt. Then the TiC was further transformed into Ti(C,N) by the reaction TiC(s)+TiAl–Ti(l)+N2(g)→Ti(C,N)(s) after the refractory was transformed into an Al2O3–TiC-(Al–Ti)melt system at high temperatures.

Selection of parents for low nitrogen stress through the combining ability of maize partially inbred lines

The objective of this work was to estimate the general combining ability of partially inbred lines under high and low nitrogen (N) conditions and to select promising lines to obtain high yields for both conditions. Fifty-five partially inbred S1 progenies were evaluated using the top-cross method, where the lines were crossed with two testers. The 110 top-cross hybrids were evaluated for grain yield during the off-season of 2012 at two sites in the Brazilian Midwest. Partial diallel analysis was performed with the adjusted means of each of the individual analyses of the top crosses. The combining ability of partially inbred lines and testers as well as their interaction with N levels, was estimated for each site. The coefficient of concordance among 15 partially inbred lines selected by the highest general combining ability estimates for each N level was 0.60. The S1 lines 39, 11, 41, 55, 38, 37, 6, 8, and 14 were selected at both N levels. This indicates that these lines can be used to identify ideal hybrids for growing in the off-season in the Brazilian Midwest.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomics Analysis of Different Endosperm Region under Nitrogen Treatments.

Storage protein distribution in wheat-grain endosperm is heterogeneous, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Two parts of the endosperm region, the innermost endosperm (IE) region and the remaining endosperm (RE) region, grown under low nitrogen (LN) and high nitrogen (HN) treatments were used to perform metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis. We identified 533 and 503 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with at least a two-fold expression change (p < 0.05) between IE and RE, among which 81 and 78 transcripts under LN and HN, respectively, related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and encoded transcription factors or proteins involved in post-translational modification (PTM). The significantly differentially abundant metabolites between IE and RE were mainly amino acids, N-compounds, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. More upregulated transcripts and metabolites were identified in RE than IE under HN conditions, indicating that HN activates metabolism in the endosperm periphery. In addition to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, transcription factors and protein PTMs, such as phosphorylation and acetylation, might determine the protein heterogeneous distribution between IE and RE and its response to nitrogen fertilizer supply.

Impacts of soil nitrogen and phosphorus levels on cytotype performance of the circumboreal herb Chamerion angustifolium: implications for polyploid establishment.

Although polyploidy commonly occurs in angiosperms, not all polyploidization events lead to successful lineages, and environmental conditions could influence cytotype dynamics and polyploid success. Low soil nitrogen and/or phosphorus concentrations often limit ecosystem primary productivity, and changes in these nutrients might differentially favor some cytotypes over others, thereby influencing polyploid establishment. We grew diploid, established tetraploid, and neotetraploid Chamerion angustifolium (fireweed) in a greenhouse under low and high soil nitrogen and phosphorus conditions and different competition treatments and measured plant performance (height, biomass, flower production, and root bud production) and insect damage responses. By comparing neotetraploids to established tetraploids, we were able to examine traits and responses that might directly arise from polyploidization before they are modified by natural selection and/or genetic drift. We found that (1) neopolyploids were the least likely to survive and flower and experienced the most herbivore damage, regardless of nutrient conditions; (2) both neo- and established tetraploids had greater biomass and root bud production under nutrient-enriched conditions, whereas diploid biomass and root bud production was not significantly affected by nutrients; and (3) intra-cytotype competition more negatively affected diploids and established tetraploids than it did neotetraploids. Following polyploidization, biomass and clonal growth might be more immediately affected by environmental nutrient availabilities than plant survival, flowering, and/or responses to herbivory, which could influence competitive dynamics. Specifically, polyploids might have competitive and colonizing advantages over diploids under nutrient-enriched conditions favoring their establishment, although establishment may also depend upon the density and occurrences of other related cytotypes in a population.

Selection of maize top-crosses for different nitrogen levels through specific combining ability

ABSTRACT An alternative to increase yield without raising the production costs and minimizing the dependence of agricultural inputs is the development of maize genotypes presenting high nitrogen (N) use efficiency under low N level conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the specific combining ability of maize top-crosses under high and low nitrogen (N) conditions and to select high-yielding hybrids for both conditions. The grain yield of 110 top-cross hybrids was evaluated in 2012 in two locations in the Brazilian Midwest. Partial diallel analysis was performed with the adjusted means of each of the individual top-cross analyses. Specific combining ability (SCA) of the hybrids and their interaction with N levels was estimated for each location. The mean grain yield of the 11 hybrids selected by the highest SCA estimates for high and low N was higher than the controls mean in approximately 330 and 241 kg∙ha-1. These results demonstrate that the selection for each environment was efficient and reveals the possibility of developing new hybrids for the Brazilian Cerrado region.

Evaluation of Yield-Based Low Nitrogen Tolerance Indices for Screening Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines

To screen the desired criterion to identify desirable genotypes and select genotypes best suited to limited nitrogen availability in order to facilitate the practice of low-nitrogen-tolerant breeding in maize, the response of 31 maize inbred lines, containing four control inbred lines (PH6WC, PH4CV, Zheng58, and Chang7-2) and others selected from the Shaan A and Shaan B heterotic groups cultivated at Northwest A&amp;F University (Yangling, Shaanxi, China), were evaluated. The experiment was conducted following a split plot design with two replications during three growing seasons (2015, 2016, and 2017) under both high nitrogen (HN) and low nitrogen (LN) conditions at the Yulin and Yangling in Shaanxi Province, China. Seven screening indices, based on grain yield under two contrasting nitrogen (N) conditions, the stress susceptibility index (SSI), yield stability index (YSI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress tolerance index (STI), harmonic mean (HM), and low nitrogen tolerance index (LNTI), were computed to assess the overall index that accurately screened the desirable genotypes. The results of the correlation analyses and principal component analysis showed that MP, GMP, HM and STI were correlated with grain yield significantly and positively under contrasting N conditions, and were able to accurately discriminate the desirable genotypes. Compared with the control inbred lines, many inbred lines selected from the Shaan A and Shaan B groups showed a higher LN tolerance. This shows that we can effectively improve the LN tolerance of maize inbred lines through LN screening. Based on the screening indices, the three-dimensional diagram and genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplots are agreed with this results, and we identified KA105, KB081, KA225, 91227, and 2013KB-47 as the desired genotypes that have the potential to be used to breed a high yield and stable hybrid.

Nitrogen and nitric oxide regulate Arabidopsis flowering differently

Both nitrogen (N) and nitric oxide (NO) postpone plant flowering. However, we still don't know whether N and NO trigger the same signaling pathways leading to flowering delay. Our previous study found that ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR1) and the blue-light receptor cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) are involved in nitrogen-regulated flowering-time control. However, NO-induced late-flowering does not require FNR1 or CRY1. Sucrose supply counteracts the flowering delay induced by NO. However high-N-induced late-flowering could not be reversed by 5% sucrose supplementation. The high nitrogen condition decreased the amplitudes of all transcripts of the circadian clock. While NO increased the amplitudes of circadian transcripts of CRY1, LHY (LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL), CCA1 (CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1) and TOC1 (TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1), but decreased the amplitudes of circadian transcripts of CO (CONSTANS) and GI (GIGANTEA). 5% sucrose supplementation reversed the declines in amplitudes of circadian transcripts of CO and GI after the NO treatment. NO induced S-nitrosation modification on oscillators CO and GI, but not on the other oscillators of the circadian clock. Sucrose supply interestingly reduced S-nitrosation levels of GI and CO proteins. Thus N and NO rely on overlapping but distinct signaling pathways on plant flowering.

A New Role for SAG12 Cysteine Protease in Roots of Arabidopsis thaliana

Senescence associated gene (SAG) 12, which encodes a cysteine protease is considered to be important in nitrogen (N) allocation to Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. A decrease in the yield and N content of the seeds was observed in the Arabidopsis SAG12 knockout mutants (sag12) relative to the wild type (Col0) under limited nitrogen nutrition. However, leaf senescence was similar in both lines. To test whether SAG12 is involved in N remobilization from organs other than the leaves, we tested whether root N could be used in N mobilization to the seeds. Root architecture, N uptake capacity and 15N partitioning were compared in the wild type and sag12 under either high nitrogen (HN) or low nitrogen (LN) conditions. No differences in root architecture or root N uptake capacity were observed between the lines under HN or LN. However, under LN conditions, there was an accumulation of 15N in the sag12 roots compared to the wild type with lower allocation of 15N to the seeds. This was accompanied by an increase in root N protein contents and a significant decrease in root cysteine protease activity. SAG12 is expressed in the root stele of the plants at the reproductive stage, particularly under conditions of LN nutrition. Taken together, these results suggest a new role for SAG12. This cysteine protease plays a crucial role in root N remobilization that ensures seed filling and sustains yields when nitrogen availability is low.

Enhanced shoot investment makes invasive plants exhibit growth advantages in high nitrogen conditions

Resource amendments commonly promote plant invasions, raising concerns over the potential consequences of nitrogen (N) deposition; however, it is unclear whether invaders will benefit from N deposition more than natives. Growth is among the most fundamental inherent traits of plants and thus good invaders may have superior growth advantages in response to resource amendments. We compared the growth and allocation between invasive and native plants in different N regimes including controls (ambient N concentrations). We found that invasive plants always grew much larger than native plants in varying N conditions, regardless of growth- or phylogeny-based analyses, and that the former allocated more biomass to shoots than the latter. Although N addition enhanced the growth of invasive plants, this enhancement did not increase with increasing N addition. Across invasive and native species, changes in shoot biomass allocation were positively correlated with changes in whole-plant biomass; and the slope of this relationship was greater in invasive plants than native plants. These findings suggest that enhanced shoot investment makes invasive plants retain a growth advantage in high N conditions relative to natives, and also highlight that future N deposition may increase the risks of plant invasions.

Nitrogen physiology of contrasting genotypes of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (Amaranthaceae)

Quinoa has been highlighted as a promising crop to sustain food security. The selection of physiological traits that allow identification genotypes with high Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a key factor to increase Quinoa cultivation. In order to unveil the underpinning mechanisms for N-stress tolerance in Quinoa, three genotypes with similar phenology, but different NUE were developed under high (HN) or low (LN) nitrogen conditions. N metabolism processes and photosynthetic performance were studied after anthesis and in correlation with productivity to identify principal traits related to NUE. We found that protein content, net photosynthesis and leaf dry-mass were determinant attributes for yield at both HN and LN conditions. Contrastingly, the enhancement of N related metabolites ({{rm{NH}}}_{4}^{+}, proline, betacyanins) and processes related with re-assimilation of {{rm{NH}}}_{4}^{+}, including an increment of glutamine synthetase activity and up-regulation of CqAMT1,1 transporter expression in leaves, were negatively correlated with grain yield at both N conditions. Biochemical aspects of photosynthesis and root biomass were traits exclusively associated with grain yield at LN. The impact of N supply on seed quality is discussed. These results provide new insights towards the understanding the N metabolism of Quinoa.

Evaluation of changes in Microcystis aeruginosa growth and microcystin production by urea via transcriptomic surveys

The freshwater cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa), is well known to produce microcystins (MCs) and induce the formation of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in aquatic environments, but the effects that urea fertilizer has on cyanobacterial growth and toxin production from a molecular biology perspective remain poorly understood. We evaluated changes in the growth and toxicity of M. aeruginosa cultured under different conditions of nitrogen (N) starvation (NN), low nitrogen (LN), and high nitrogen (HN). Cell density and chlorophyll-a concentrations decreased in cyanobacteria exposed to N starvation and increased following the addition of urea, whereas MCs content increased to a peak and then decreased after urea addition. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed that most genes encoding MCs and genes involved in N metabolic pathways were upregulated under N starvation and LN conditions, whereas these genes were downregulated under HN conditions. Our results offer important insights into the exploring N in controlling the formation of HABs and toxin production based on both physiological and molecular response.

Wheat grain protein accumulation and polymerization mechanisms driven by nitrogen fertilization.

In wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain yield and grain protein content are negatively correlated, making the simultaneous increase of the two traits challenging. Apart from genetic approaches, modification of nitrogen fertilization offers a feasible option to achieve this aim. In this study, a range of traits related to nitrogen-use efficiency in six Australian bread wheat varieties were investigated under different nitrogen treatments using 3-year multisite field trials. Changes in the individual storage protein composition were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. Our results indicated that wheat grain yield and grain protein content reacted similarly to nitrogen availability, with grain yield being slightly more sensitive than grain protein content, and that genotype is a vital determinant of grain protein yield. Measurement of the glutamine synthetase activity of flag leaves and developing grains revealed that high nitrogen availability prompted the participation of glutamine in biological processes. In addition, a more significant accumulation of gluten macropolymer was observed under the high-nitrogen treatment from 21days post-anthesis, and the underlying mechanism was elucidated by a comparative proteomics study. A yeast two-hybrid experiment confirmed this mechanism. The results of this study revealed that peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) was SUMOylated with the assistance of small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 and that high nitrogen availability facilitated this connection for the subsequent protein polymerization. Additionally, luminal-binding protein 2 in the endoplasmic reticulum played a similar role to PPIase in the aggregation of protein under high-nitrogen conditions.

Nitrogen Supply Affects Photosynthesis and Photoprotective Attributes During Drought-Induced Senescence in Quinoa.

Drought during senescence has become more common in Mediterranean climates in recent years. Chenopodium quinoa Willd has been identified as tolerant to poor soil conditions and drought. Previous observations have found that sufficient nitrogen (N) supply mitigates yield losses under terminal drought conditions. However, there is no understanding of the mechanisms behind this effect. We hypothesized that N up-regulates both photosynthetic and photoprotective elements during drought-induced senescence, alleviating the negative impact of drought on yield. The role of N supply and terminal drought on photoprotection was tested using three Chilean quinoa genotypes from different climatic zones: Faro, UdeC9, and BO78. Plants were grown under high nitrogen (HN) or low nitrogen (LN) conditions and subjected to terminal drought at the onset of senescence. Photosynthetic and photochemical and non-photochemical processes were evaluated at both the onset of drought and after 15 days of drought conditions. N supplementation modified most of the physiological parameters related to photochemical dissipation of energy, photosynthesis, and yield in quinoa. In contrast, water restriction did not affect photosynthesis in quinoa, and its effect on yield was dependent on the genotype. A significant interaction N × G was observed in photosynthesis, relative water content, protein content, Fv/Fm, and chlorophylls. In general, Faro was able to maintain higher levels of these attributes under LN conditions than UdeC9 and BO78. In addition, the interacting effects of N × W regulated the level of most pigments in quinoa as well as the photoprotective induction of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) during senescence. During terminal drought at LN conditions, Faro presented a larger NPQ induction under drought conditions than UdeC9 and BO78, which was supported by a larger zeaxanthin content and de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll pool. Interestingly, BO78 did not induce NPQ in response to drought-induced senescence but instead enhanced the content of betacyanins. This response needs to be researched in future works. Finally, we observed that LN supply reduced the correlationship between the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle and NPQ. This could be an indication that N supply not only compromised the capacity for photosynthetic performance in quinoa plants, but also affected the plasticity of thermal dissipation, restricting further changes during drought-induced senescence.

Biodegradation of diuron in artificially contaminated water and seawater by wood colonized with the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor

We investigated the potential of white-rot fungi for bioremediation of aqueous environments contaminated with diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea). First, diuron degradation activities of several white-rot fungi (Ceriporia lacerata, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Phanerochaete sordida, Trametes versicolor) and a brown-rot fungus (Gloeophyllum trabeum) were evaluated under low- or high-nitrogen conditions. While G. trabeum showed hardly any degradation activity, white-rot fungi except for C. lacerata showed degradation activity, at least under some conditions. In particular, the activity of T. versicolor was high regardless of culture conditions (30–35% degradation at both levels of nitrogen). T. versicolor degraded diuron to two metabolites, 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-methylurea and 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, and did not accumulate the highly toxic metabolite 3,4-dichloroaniline. Moreover, the diuron content of artificially contaminated water dramatically decreased from 1.0 to 0.012 µM and artificially contaminated seawater (3.4% sea salt, w/v) decreased to 0.405 µM after incubation for 2 weeks with shaking on T. versicolor-colonized wood medium. These results indicated that wood medium colonized with white-rot fungi may be applicable for bioremediation and detoxification of diuron-contaminated aqueous environments.