Expression of characteristics of ammonium nutrition as affected by pH of the root medium

To study the effect of root-zone pH on characteristic responses of NH4+ -fed plants, soybeans (Glycine max?L.? Merr. cv. Ransom) were grown in flowing solution culture for 21 d on four sources of N (1.0 mol m-3 NO3-, 0.67 mol m-3 NO3- plus 0.33 mol m-3 NH4+, 0.33 mol m-3 NO3- plus 0.67 mol m-3 NH4+, and 1.0 mol m-3 NH4+) with nutrient solutions maintained at pH 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, and 4.5. Amino acid concentration increased in plants grown with NH4+ as the sole source of N at all pH levels. Total amino acid concentration in the roots of NH4+ -fed plants was 8 to 10 times higher than in NO3(-)-fed plants, with asparagine accounting for more than 70% of the total in the roots of these plants. The concentration of soluble carbohydrates in the leaves of NH4+ -fed plants was greater than that of NO3(-)-fed plants, but was lower in roots of NH4+ -fed plants, regardless of pH. Starch concentration was only slightly affected by N source or root-zone pH. At all levels of pH tested, organic acid concentration in leaves was much lower when NH4+ was the sole N source than when all or part of the N was supplied as NO3-. Plants grown with mixed NO3- plus NH4+ N sources were generally intermediate between NO3(-)- and NH4+ -fed plants. Thus, changes in tissue composition characteristic of NH4+ nutrition when root-zone pH was maintained at 4.5 and growth was reduced, still occurred when pH was maintained at 5.0 or above, where growth was not affected. The changes were slightly greater at pH 4.5 than at higher pH levels.     

Ammonium and nitrate uptake by soybean during recovery from nitrogen deprivation

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] plants that had been subjected to 15 d of nitrogen deprivation were resupplied for 10 d with 1.0 mol m-3 nitrogen provided as NO3-, NH4+, or NH4(+) + NO3- in flowing hydroponic culture. Plants in a fourth hydroponic system received 1.0 mol m-3 NO3- during both stress and resupply periods. Concentrations of soluble carbohydrates and organic acids in roots increased 210 and 370%, respectively, during stress. For the first day of resupply, however, specific uptake rates of nitrogen, determined by ion chromatography as depletion from solution, were lower for stressed than for non-stressed plants by 43% for NO3- resupply, by 32% for NH4(+) + NO3- resupply, and 86% for NH4+ resupply. When specific uptake of nitrogen for stressed plants recovered to rates for non-stressed plants at 6 to 8 d after nitrogen resupply, carbohydrates and organic acids in their roots had declined to concentrations lower than those of non-stressed plants. Recovery of nitrogen uptake capacity of roots thus does not appear to be regulated simply by the content of soluble carbon compounds within roots. Solution concentrations of NH4+ and NO3- were monitored at 62.5 min intervals during the first 3 d of resupply. Intermittent 'hourly' intervals of net influx and net efflux occurred. Rates of uptake during influx intervals were greater for the NH4(+)-resupplied than for the NO3(-)-resupplied plants. For NH4(+)-resupplied plants, however, the hourly intervals of efflux were more numerous than for NO3(-)-resupplied plants. It thus is possible that, instead of repressing NH4+ influx, increased accumulation of amino acids and NH4+ in NH4(+)-resupplied plants inhibited net uptake by stimulation of efflux on NH4+ absorbed in excess of availability of carbon skeletons for assimilation. Entry of NH4+ into root cytoplasm appeared to be less restricted than translocation of amino acids from the cytoplasm into the xylem.     

Proton translocation and the respiratory nitrate reductase of Escherichia coli.

Stoicheometries and rates of proton translocation associated with respiratory reduction of NO3- have been measured for spheroplasts of Escherichia coli grown anaerobically in the presence of NO3-. Observed stoicheiometries [leads to H+/NO3- ratio; P. Mitchell (1966) Chemiosmotic Coupling in Oxidative and Photosynthetic Phosphorylation, Glynn Research, Bodmin] were approx. 4 for L-malate oxidation and approx. 2 for succinate, D-lactate and glycerol oxidation. Measurements of the leads to H+/2e- ratio with formate as the reductant and oxygen or NO3- as the oxidant were complicated by pH changes associated with formate uptake and CO2 formation. Nevertheless, it was possible to conclude that the site of formate oxidation is on the inner aspect of the cytoplasmic membrane, that the leads to H+/O ratio for formate oxidation is approx. 4, and that the leads to H+/NO3- ratio is greater than 2. Measurements of the rate of NO3- penetration into osmotically sensitive spheroplasts demonstrated an electrogenic entry of NO3- anion. The permeability coefficient for nitrate entry at 30 degrees C was between 10(-9) and 10(-10) cm- s(-1). The calculated rate of nitrate entry at the concentration typically used for the assay of nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.99.4) activity was about 0.1% of that required to support the observed rate of nitrate reduction by reduced Benzyl Viologen. Measurements of the distribution of nitrate between the intracellular and extracellular spaces of a haem-less mutant, de-repressed for nitrate reductase but unable to reduce nitrate by the respiratory chain, showed that, irrespective of the presence or the absence of added glucose, nitrate was not concentrated intracellularly. Osmotic-swelling experiments showed that the rate of diffusion of azid anion across the cytoplasmic membrane is relatively low in comparison with the fast diffusion of hydrazoic acid. The inhibitory effect of azide on nitrate reductase was not altered by treatments that modify pH gradients across the cytoplasmic membrane. It is concluded that the nitrate-reducing azide-sensitive site of nitrate reductase is located on the outer aspect of the cytoplasmic membrane. The consequences of this location for mechanisms of proton translocation driven by nitrate reduction are discussed, and lead to the proposal that the nitrate reductase of the cytoplasmic membrane is vectorial, reducing nitrate on the outer aspect of the membrane with 2H+ and 2e- that have crossed from the inner aspect of the membrane.     

Ammonium and nitrate uptake by the floating plant Landoltia punctata

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plants from the family Lemnaceae are widely used in ecological engineering projects to purify wastewater and eutrophic water bodies. However, the biology of nutrient uptake mechanisms in plants of this family is still poorly understood. There is controversy over whether Lemnaceae roots are involved in nutrient uptake. No information is available on nitrogen (N) preferences and capacity of Landoltia punctata (dotted duckweed), one of the best prospective species in Lemnaceae for phytomelioration and biomass production. The aim of this study was to assess L. punctata plants for their ability to take up NH4+ and NO3- by both roots and fronds. METHODS: NO3- and NH4+ fluxes were estimated by a non-invasive ion-selective microelectrode technique. This technique allows direct measurements of ion fluxes across the root or frond surface of an intact plant. KEY RESULTS: Landoltia punctata plants took up NH4+ and NO3- by both fronds and roots. Spatial distribution of NH4+ and NO3- fluxes demonstrated that, although ion fluxes at the most distal parts of the root were uneven, the mature part of the root was involved in N uptake. Despite the absolute flux values for NH4+ and NO3- being lower in roots than at the frond surface, the overall capacity of roots to take up ions was similar to that of fronds because the surface area of roots was larger. L. punctata plants preferred to take up NH4+ over NO3- when both N sources were available. CONCLUSIONS: Landoltia punctata plants take up nitrogen by both roots and fronds. When both sources of N are available, plants prefer to take up NH4+, but will take up NO3- when it is the only N source.     

Growth and nitrogen metabolism of Catasetum fimbriatum (orchidaceae) grown with different nitrogen sources

Catasetum fimbriatum is an epiphytic orchid from South America that has been used for 15 years as a model plant for metabolic and developmental studies in our laboratory. In this work, C. fimbriatum plants were aseptically grown with 6 mol m(-3) of either glutamine or inorganic nitrogen forms (NO(3)(-):NH(4)(+) ratios). The highest biomass accumulation was found in plants supplied with glutamine; no significant difference was observed in plants incubated in the presence of inorganic nitrogen sources. Nitrogen assimilation was limited in the presence NO(3)(-) as a sole nitrogen source. C. fimbriatum did not accumulate NO(3)(-) and very low rates of in vivo nitrate reductase activity were observed. Most nitrate reductase activity (70%) was detected in the 2 cm apical roots. Nitrate-treated plants exhibited relatively lower amounts of free amino-N, chlorophyll and free NH(4)(+) contents and higher soluble sugar contents than the NH(4)(+)-treated plants. While shoot glutamine synthetase activity was only slightly affected by nitrogen sources, root glutamine synthetase activity was not modified by any nitrogen form. Glutamate dehydrogenase-NADH activity in shoot tissues was not influenced by any nitrogen source. However, the glutamate dehydrogenase-NADH activity in roots was enhanced when NH(4)(+) tissue contents was augmented by increasing NH(4)(+) in the medium and by the presence of glutamine. Our results strongly suggest that organic nitrogen and NH(4)(+) are probably the most important nitrogen sources to C. fimbriatum plants.     

Growth and Major Nutrient Concentrations in Brassica campestris Supplied with Different NH4+/NO3- Ratios

In the present study, we investigated whether growth and main nutrient ion concentrations of cabbage (Brassica campestris L.) could be increased when plants were subjected to different NH4+/NO3- ratios. Cabbage seedlings The results showed that cabbage growth was reduced by 87% when the proportion of NH4+-N in the nutrient solution was more than 75% compared with a ratio NH4+/NO3- of 0.5:0.5 35 d after transplanting, suggesting a possible toxicity seedling weight, root length, and H2PO4- (P), K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentrations were all higher than those in plants 0.5 NH4+/NO3-. The present results indicate that an appropriate NH4+/NO3- ratio improves the absorption of other nutrients and maintains a suitable proportion of N assimilation and storage that should benefit plant growth and the quality of cabbage as a vegetable.     

The effect of nitrogen nutrition on cluster root formation and proton extrusion by Lupinus albus

Nitrogen nutrition can influence cluster root formation in many wild species, but the effect of N form on cluster root formation and root exudation by white lupin is not known. In a solution culture study, we examined the effect of N nutrition (ammonium, nitrate, both or N2 fixation) on cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by white lupin plants under deficient and adequate P supply. The number of cluster roots increased greatly when plants were supplied with I microM P compared with 50 microM P, the increase being 7.8-fold for plants treated with (NH4)2SO4, 3-fold for plants treated with KNO3 and NH4NO3, and 2-4-fold for N2-fixing plants. Under P deficiency. NH4+-N supply resulted in production of a greater number and biomass of cluster roots than other N sources. Dry weight of cluster roots was 30 % higher than that of non-cluster roots in P-deficient plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. In plants treated with sufficient P (50 microM), the weight of non-cluster roots was approx. 90 % greater than that of cluster roots. Both total (micromol per plant h(-1)) and specific (micromol g(-1) root d. wt h(-1)) H+ extrusions were greatest from roots of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4, followed by those supplied with NH4NO3 and N2 fixation, whereas plants receiving KNO3 had negative net H+ extrusion between the third and fifth week of growth (indicating uptake of protons or release of OH- ions). The rate of proton extrusion by NH4+-N-fed plants was similar under P-deficient and P-sufficient conditions. In contrast, proton exudation by N2-fixing plants and KNO3-treated plants was ten-fold greater under P deficiency than under P sufficiency. In comparison with P deficiency, plants treated with 50 microM P had a significantly higher concentration of P in roots, shoots and youngest expanded leaves (YEL). Compared with the N2 fixation and KNO3 treatments, total N concentration was highest in roots, shoots and YEL of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, regardless of P supply. Under P deficiency, K concentrations in roots decreased at all N supplies, especially in plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, which coincided with the greatest H+ extrusion at these P and N supplies. In conclusion, NH4-N nutrition stimulated cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by roots of P-deficient white lupin.     

Dynamic and steady-state responses of inorganic nitrogen pools and NH(3) exchange in leaves of Lolium perenne and Bromus erectus to changes in root nitrogen supply

Short- and long-term responses of inorganic N pools and plant-atmosphere NH(3) exchange to changes in external N supply were investigated in 11-week-old plants of two grass species, Lolium perenne and Bromus erectus, characteristic of N-rich and N-poor grassland ecosystems, respectively. A switch of root N source from NO(-)(3)to NH(4)(+) caused within 3 h a 3- to 6-fold increase in leaf apoplastic NH(4)(+) concentration and a simultaneous decrease in apoplastic pH of about 0.4 pH units in both species. The concentration of total extractable leaf tissue NH(4)(+) also increased two to three times within 3 h after the switch. Removal of exogenous NH(4)(+) caused the apoplastic NH(4)(+) concentration to decline back to the original level within 24 h, whereas the leaf tissue NH(4)(+)concentration decreased more slowly and did not reach the original level in 48 h. After growing for 5 weeks with a steady-state supply of NO(-)(3)or NH(4)(+), L. perenne were in all cases larger, contained more N, and utilized the absorbed N more efficiently for growth than B. erectus, whereas the two species behaved oppositely with respect to tissue concentrations of NO(-)(3), NH(4)(+), and total N. Ammonia compensation points were higher for B. erectus than for L. perenne and were in both species higher for NH(4)(+)- than for NO(-)(3)-grown plants. Steady-state levels of apoplastic NH(4)(+), tissue NH(4)(+), and NH(3) emission were significantly correlated. It is concluded that leaf apoplastic NH(4)(+) is a highly dynamic pool, closely reflecting changes in the external N supply. This rapid response may constitute a signaling system coordinating leaf N metabolism with the actual N uptake by the roots and the external N availability.     

Root-zone acidity and nitrogen source affects Typha latifolia L. growth and uptake kinetics of ammonium and nitrate

The NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-) uptake kinetics by Typha latifolia L. were studied after prolonged hydroponics growth at constant pH 3.5, 5.0, 6.5 or 7.0 and with NH(4)(+) or NO(3)(-) as the sole N-source. In addition, the effects of pH and N source on H(+) extrusion and adenine nucleotide content were examined. Typha latifolia was able to grow with both N sources at near neutral pH levels, but the plants had higher relative growth rates, higher tissue concentrations of the major nutrients, higher contents of adenine nucleotides, and higher affinity for uptake of inorganic nitrogen when grown on NH(4)(+). Growth almost completely stopped at pH 3.5, irrespective of N source, probably as a consequence of pH effects on plasma membrane integrity and H(+) influx into the root cells. Tissue concentrations of the major nutrients and adenine nucleotides were severely reduced at low pH, and the uptake capacity for inorganic nitrogen was low, and more so for NO(3)(-)-fed than for NH(4)(+)-fed plants. The maximum uptake rate, V(max), was highest for NH(4)(+) at pH 6.5 (30.9 micro mol h(-1) g(-1) root dry weight) and for NO(3)(-) at pH 5.0 (31.7 micro mol h(-1) g(-1) root dry weight), and less than 10% of these values at pH 3.5. The affinity for uptake as estimated by the half saturation constant, K((1/2)), was lowest at low pH for NH(4)(+) and at high pH for NO(3)(-). The changes in V(max) and K((1/2)) were thus consistent with the theory of increasing competition between cations and H(+) at low pH and between anions and OH(-) at high pH. C(min) was independent of pH, but slightly higher for NO(3)(-) than for NH(4)(+) (C(min)(NH(4)(+)) approximately 0.8 mmol m(-3); C(min)(NO(3)(-)) approximately 2.8 mmol m(-3)). The growth inhibition at low pH was probably due to a reduced nutrient uptake and a consequential limitation of growth by nutrient stress. Typha latifolia seems to be well adapted to growth in wetland soils where NH(4)(+) is the prevailing nitrogen compound, but very low pH levels around the roots are very stressful for the plant. The common occurrence of T. latifolia in very acidic areas is probably only possible because of the plant's ability to modify pH-conditions in the rhizosphere.     

不同NH4^＋／NO3^-比例的氮素营养对棉花氮素代谢的影响

The influence of different NH4^+／NO3^- ratios on nitrogen metabolism of cotton was studied under controlled hydroponics, The results showed that compared with single nitrate nutrition, solutions with 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0 of NH4^+／NO3^- significantly increased the soluble protein accumulation in leaves and roots of cotton, and the maximum content of soluble protein in leaves and roots appeared respectively in the solution with 50/50 and 75/25 of NH4^+／NO3^- The soluble protein content in roots was increased with the increase of NH4+ percentage, but was slightly less in the solution of 100/0 than 75/25, which was probably related to the excess NH4^+ limiting boot metabolism. With the increase of NH4+ percentage, the nitrate content in petiole and the nitrate reductase activity in functional blade declined, but ammoniac nitrogen content increased in every organ of cotton. These results showed that foreign nitrogen affected the nitrogen metabolism of cotton in a different way, and the nitrogen absorption by cotton was probably related to different forms of foreign nitrogen.     

Induction of poplar leaf nitrate reductase: a test of extrachloroplastic control of isoprene emission rate

Several recent studies have suggested that control of isoprene emission rate is in part exerted by supply of extrachloroplastic phosphoenolpyruvate to the chloroplast. To test this hypothesis, we altered PEP supply by differential induction of cytosolic nitrate reductase (NR) and PEP carboxylase (PEPC) in plants of Populus deltoides grown with NO3- or NH4+ as the sole nitrogen source. Growth with 8 mM NH4+ produced a high leaf nitrogen concentration, compared with 8 mM NO3-, as well as slightly elevated rates of photosynthesis and significantly enhanced rates of isoprene emission and content of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP, a precursor to isoprene biosynthesis), chlorophyll (a+b) and carotenoids. Growth with 8 mM NO3- resulted in parallel reductions in both leaf isoprene emission rate and DMAPP. The differential effects of growth with NH4+ or NO3- were not observed when plants were grown with 4 mM nitrogen. The effects of reduced DMAPP availability were specific to isoprene emission and were not propagated to higher isoprenoids, as the correlations between nitrogen content and either leaf chlorophyll (a+b) or total carotenoids were unaffected by nitrogen source. Biochemical analysis revealed significantly higher levels of NR and PEPC activity in leaves of 8 mM NO3- -grown plants, consistent with their fundamental roles in nitrate assimilation. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that foliar assimilation of NO3- reduces isoprene emission rate by competing for carbon skeletons (mediated by PEPC) within the cytosol and possibly reductant within the chloroplast. Cytosolic competition for PEP is a major regulator of chloroplast DMAPP supply, and we offer a new "safety valve" hypothesis to explain why plants emit isoprene.     

NO3- and ClO3- fluxes in the chl1-5 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana. Does the CHL1-5 gene encode a low-affinity NO3- transporter?

The CHL1 gene is considered to encode a low-affinity transport system (LATS) for NO3- in Arabidopsis thaliana (Y.-F. Tsay, J.I. Schroeder, K.A. Feldmann, N.M. Crawford [1993] Cell 72: 705-713). However, the anticipated reduced NO3- uptake by the LATS associated with loss of CHL1 gene activity in chl1-5 deletion mutants was evident only when plants were grown on NH4NO3. When KNO3 was the sole N source, NO3- accumulation and short-term tracer influx (using 13NO3- and 15NO3-) in leaves and roots of wild-type and mutant plants were essentially identical. Nevertheless, root uptake of 36CIO3- by the LATS and CIO3- accumulation in roots and shoots of mutant plants were significantly lower than in wild-type plants when grown on KNO3. One explanation for these results is that a second LATS is able to compensate for the chl1-5 deficiency in KNO3-grown plants. Growth on NH4NO3 may down-regulate the second LATS enough that the anticipated difference in NO3- uptake becomes apparent.     

Effect of nitrogen form and root-zone pH on growth and nitrogen uptake of tea (Camellia sinensis) plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tea (Camellia sinensis) is considered to be acid tolerant and prefers ammonium nutrition, but the interaction between root zone acidity and N form is not properly understood. The present study was performed to characterize their interaction with respect to growth and mineral nutrition. METHODS: Tea plants were hydroponically cultured with NH4+, NO3- and NH(4+) + NO3-, at pH 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0, which were maintained by pH stat systems. KEY RESULTS: Plants supplied with NO3- showed yellowish leaves resembling nitrogen deficiency and grew much slower than those receiving NH4+ or NH(4+) + NO3- irrespective of root-zone pH. Absorption of NH4+ was 2- to 3.4-fold faster than NO3- when supplied separately, and 6- to 16-fold faster when supplied simultaneously. Nitrate-grown plants had significantly reduced glutamine synthetase activity, and lower concentrations of total N, free amino acids and glucose in the roots, but higher concentrations of cations and carboxylates (mainly oxalate) than those grown with NH4+ or NH(4+) + NO3-. Biomass production was largest at pH 5.0 regardless of N form, and was drastically reduced by a combination of high root-zone pH and NO3-. Low root-zone pH reduced root growth only in NO(3-)-fed plants. Absorption of N followed a similar pattern as root-zone pH changed, showing highest uptake rates at pH 5.0. The concentrations of total N, free amino acids, sugars and the activity of GS were generally not influenced by pH, whereas the concentrations of cations and carboxylates were generally increased with increasing root-zone pH. CONCLUSIONS: Tea plants are well-adapted to NH(4+)-rich environments by exhibiting a high capacity for NH4+ assimilation in their roots, reflected in strongly increased key enzyme activities and improved carbohydrate status. The poor plant growth with NO3- was largely associated with inefficient absorption of this N source. Decreased growth caused by inappropriate external pH corresponded well with the declining absorption of nitrogen.     

Accumulation of ammonium in Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings measured by in vivo 14N-NMR

(14)N-NMR and (31)P-NMR have been used to monitor the in vivo pH in roots, stems, and needles from seedlings of Norway spruce, a typical ammonium-tolerant plant. The vacuolar and cytoplasmic pH measured by (31)P-NMR was found to be c. pH 4.8 and 7.0, respectively, with no significant difference between plants growing with ammonium or nitrate as the N-source. The (1)H-coupled (14) NH 4+ resonance is pH-sensitive: at alkaline pH it is a narrow singlet line and below pH 4 it is an increasing multiplet line with five signals. The pH values in ammonium-containing compartments measured by (14)N-NMR ranged from 3.7 to 3.9, notably lower than the estimated pH values of the P(i) pools. This suggests that, in seedlings of Norway spruce, ammonium is stored in vacuoles with low pH possibly to protect the seedlings against the toxic effects of ammonium ( NH 4+) or ammonia (NH3). It was also found that concentrations of malate were 3-6 times higher in stems than in roots and needles, with nitrate-grown plants containing more malate than plants grown with ammonium.     

不同浓度的NO^—3和NH^＋4对小麦根谷氨酰胺合成酶及其相关酶的影响

利用酶活性测定和 Northern分子杂交等技术 ,研究了小麦幼苗根在不同浓度的 Na NO3 和(NH4) 2 SO4的供应下 ,其谷氨酰胺合成酶 (GS)、天冬酰胺合成酶 (AS)、谷氨酸脱氢酶 (GDH)、硝酸还原酶 (NR)以及 GS- m RNA的变化。结果表明 :NH 4 处理的小麦 ,其根部 GS活性比 NO-3 处理的高 ;高浓度处理的比低浓度处理的高 ;Northern杂交结果说明 GS- m RNA转录量与 GS活性一致 ;3mmol/ L NO-3促进了 AS的活性。AS酶活性变化与 GS酶活性变化无明显依赖关系。在实验的条件下 ,没能测出 GDH的活性 ,不同浓度的 NO-3 和 NH 4 处理对 NR活性没有明显的规律。     

Influence of Different Concentrations of NO-3 and NH+4 on the Activity of Glutamine Synthetase and Other Relevant Enzymes of Nitrogen Metabolism in Wheat Roots

Influence of different concentrations of NO3 and NH+ on the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS), asparagine synthetase (AS), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), nitrate reductase (NR) and the changes of GS-mRNA in wheat roots have been studied with enzymes activity assay and Northern blot. The results showed that the higher GS activity was found in roots of wheat when NH+4-N was the sole nitrogen source than when NO3-N was the sole nitrogen source. GS-mRNA of Northern blot was simillar to GS activity. 3 mmol/L NO3- promoted the activity of AS. The change of AS was independent of the change of GS. GDH activity was not been detected, and change in regulation of NR activity was not found.     

不同氮源对小麦幼苗谷氨酰胺合成酶的影响

利用ＤＥＡＥ－纤维素柱层析、酶活性测定、Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ 分子杂交等技术,研究了小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ ａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍ Ｌ．）幼苗的根、叶和离体叶在不同氮源培养条件下谷氨酰胺合成酶（ＧＳ）活性和同工酶变化, 以及不同氮源对ＧＳ基因转录－ＧＳ－ｍ ＲＮＡ 的影响． 同时与硝酸还原酶（ＮＲ）活性进行比较, 结果表明∶当以ＮＨ＋４ 作唯一氮源时,小麦幼苗根谷氨酰胺合成酶（ＧＳｒ）和叶细胞质谷氨酰胺合成酶（ＧＳ１）活性要比以ＮＯ－３ 作唯一氮源的高．当以ＮＯ－３ 为唯一氮源时, ＮＯ－３ 则促进完整叶片和离体叶片叶绿体谷氨酰胺合成酶（ＧＳ２）活性． 从转录水平上看,ＮＨ＋４ 促进根ＧＳ－ｍ ＲＮＡ 的合成,而ＮＯ－３ 促进叶ＧＳ－ｍ ＲＮＡ 的合成