A study on nitrate reductase activity (NRA) of geophytes from Mediterranean environment

Arslan H., Guleryuz G.

FLORA, vol.200, no.5, pp.434-443, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 200 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.flora.2005.02.003
  • Journal Name: FLORA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.434-443
  • Keywords: geophytes, nitrate reduction, nitrate reductase (NR), Mediterranean environment, ASSIMILATION, LEAVES, ROOTS, NITROGEN, SHOOTS, PLANTS, TREES
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in different compartments of 14 Mediterranean geophytes (bulbous, tuberous and rhizomatous) and actual mineral nitrogen (NO3- and NH4+) their soils were investigated. The nitrate reduction capacities of each species were determined as NRA per total plant material. Differences among compartments for NRA were significant in all species. The highest NRA was found in leaves of tuberous species (Anemone coronaria, Cyclamen coum) and of most bulbous species (Allium flavum, Allium guttatum, Bellevelia sarmatica, Galanthus plicatus, Leucojum aestivum, Ornithogalum nutans, Tulipa sylvestris). Therefore, in this group of species the contribution of the leaves to total plant NRA was the highest. The other bulbous species (Allium scorodoprasum, Crocus chrysanthus, Fritillaria bithynica, Muscari neglectum) and one rhizomatous taxon (Iris suaveolens) have a different NRA distribution within the plants. In these species the highest values of NRA were found in different organs. For example, in Allium scorodoprasum the highest NRA was in tunics, and in flowers in M. neglectum. Although leaves are the main compartments reducing nitrate in most of the studied geophytes, other compartments also contribute to total plant nitrate reduction.