Nitrogen metabolism of Plantago major ssp. major as dependent on the supply of mineral nutrients

Various aspects of the nitrogen metabolism of Plantago major L. ssp. major , a grassland species from a relatively nutrient-rich habitat, were investigated with plants that were grown in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor culture solutions. In addition the influence of a change in the nutrient supply, both from high to low and from low to high nutrient conditions was studied. The data on P. major major showed that the activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and the reduced nitrogen content were all rather independent of the nutrient supply. These findings are in contrast with those of P. lanceolata , a grassland species from a relatively nutrient-poor habitat, where both the activities of NR, GDH and GS and the reduced nitrogen content were correlated with the level of the nutrient supply. The rigidity of the nitrogen metabolism of P. major major may be of advantage if the nutrient supply is limited only for relatively short periods.     

Energy metabolism of Plantago lanceolata as dependent on the supply of mineral nutrients

Plantago lanceolata L., a grassland species from a relatively nutrient-poor habitat, was grown in nutrient-rich and in nutrient-poor culture solutions. Half of the plants were trensferred from high to low or from low to high nutrient conditions. Shoot growth was immediately reduced upon transfer to low nutrient conditions, whilst it reacted more slowly upon transfer of plants to high nutrient conditions. Root growth was less dependent on the supply of nutrients, but it was slightly reduced upon transfer of plants to high nutrient conditions.
Photosynthesis was largely independent of the nutrient supply, apart from an initial increase upon transfer of plants to low nutrient conditions. Photosynthesis decreased with age in all treatments, and this decrease was not due to mutual shading. The decrease of photosynthetic rate was not accompanied by a decreased relative growth rate: it was compensated by a more efficient root respiration, since the activity of the alternative nonphosphorylating pathway continuously decreased in plants grown in a high nutrient environment.
It is concluded that the alternative pathway was of significance in removal of carbohydrates, which could not be utilized for growth, energy production, etc. , due to a temporary or structural imbalance between assimilate production and requirement. The alternative pathway also appeared to allow P. lanceolata plants to adapt to a changed environment as regards mineral nutrition.
The experimental value for root growth respiration of P. lanceolata grown under high nutrient conditions was compared with a theoretical value, calculated from the biochemical composition of plant dry matter and the known energy costings for biosynthetic and transport processes. A good correlation between the experimental and theoretical value of root growth respiration was found if it was assumed that ion uptake required c . 1.0 molecule of ATP per ion per membrane passage.     

Energy metabolism of Plantago major ssp. major as dependent on the supply of mineral nutrients

Plantago major L. ssp. major , a grassland species from a relatively nutrient-rich habitat, was grown in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor culture solutions. Half of the plants were transferred from high to low or from low to high nutrient conditions. The rate of dry matter accumulation in both shoots and roots decreased slowly upon transfer of plants to low nutrient conditions and the shoot to root ratio was unaffected. The rate of structural growth of both roots and shoots increased upon transfer from low to high nutrient conditions and the shoot to root ratio, if calculated from non-structural-carbohydrate-free dry weights, increased.
Photosynthesis was largely independent of the nutrient supply. Root respiration, particularly the activity of the alternative oxidative pathway, decreased with increasing age. This decrease was ascribed to a decreased shoot to root ratio, which reduced the relative amount of carbohydrates translocated to the roots and thus the amount available for the alternative pathway. It is calculated that in young as well as in old plants grown in full nutrient solution 48% of the daily produced photosynthates was translocated to the roots.
This is at variance with data on P. lanceolata , where a decreasing proportion of the daily produced photosynthates was translocated to the roots when the plants grew older. It is concluded that shoot growth plus shoot respiration consumed a constant amount of the daily produced photosynthates in P. major and that the rest was left for translocation. It is further calculated that in P. major plants grown in full nutrient solution c . 25% and c . 2% of the daily produced photosynthates in young and old plants, respectively, was respired in a way that is not involved in production of energy that is utilized in growth and maintenance ('inefficient root respiration').
The results are discussed in comparison with those of P. lanceolata , a species from a relatively nutrient-poor habitat.     

Metabolism of Urtica dioica as dependent on the supply of mineral nutrients

Plants of Urtica dioica L., a very nitrophilous species, were grown in a nutrient solution containing either high (100%) or low (2%) nutrient supply. Part of these plants were subjected to a sudden switch from 100% to 2% or vice versa. Plant weight, sugar and organic nitrogen (both soluble and insoluble) and nitrate content were measured during growth. The activities of two nitrogen assimilating enzymes, nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) were determined.
Growth of Urtica dioica was retarded at low nutrient supply. Root growth was limited by another factor than nitrogen. This was shown by a higher protein content. In the first period after a switch from 100% to 2%, redistribution of nitrogen from shoot to root could be demonstrated, and leakage from the root into the nutrient solution. It is suggested that in these conditions GS in the root reacted to this downward flux. Comparison with earlier findings on the less nitrophilous Plantago lanceolata showed that at 100% nutrient supply a correlation occurs between nitrate reduction and glutamine synthetase activity in that plant part which exported reduced nitrogen: the root in P. lanceolata and the shoot in U. dioica. In the importing plant part, glutamine synthetase was influenced by nitrate reduction as well as by imported reduced nitrogen.     

Effect of Azotobacter strains on sugar beet callus proliferation and nitrogen metabolism enzymes

The effect of five Azotobacter chroococcum strains and nitrogen content in nutrient media on callus growth of two Beta vulgaris L. cultivars were investigated, as well as the activity of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in inoculated callus tissue. On medium with full nitrogen content (1 N) the inoculation with A. chroococcum strain A2 resulted in the highest calli mass, while strains A8 and A14 maximally increased NR activity. On media with 1/8 N the highest effect on calli growth, GS and GDH activity had the strain A8. The strain A2/1 significantly increased callus proliferation on medium without N. Asymbiotic association between sugar beet calli and Azotobacter depended on genotype/strain interaction and was realised in presence of different nitrogen levels. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Response of Zea mays to the Inoculation with Azospirillum on Nitrogen Metabolism under Greenhouse Conditions

The maize (Zea mays L.) plants inoculated by N₂-fixing bacterium Azospirillum showed increased activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in root cells free extracts over uninoculated control plants. Maximum differences in NADH-GDH activity were observed during the second and third weeks after sowing. The specific activity of GS showed a greater increase at the end of the assay. The percentage of nitrogen in leaves, root and foliage length, total fresh mass and nitrogenase activity were higher in inoculated plants than in the control ones.     

Ammonium and nitrate nutrition inPlantago lanceolata L. andPlantago major L. ssp.major

With the aims (1) to test whether the different natural occurrence of twoPlantago species in grasslands is explained by a different preference of the species for nitrate or ammonium; (2) to test whether the different occurrence is explained by differences in the flexibility of the species towards changes in the nitrogen form; (3) to find suitable parameters as a tool to study ammonium and nitrate utilization of these species at the natural sites in grasslands, plants ofPlantago lanceolata andP. major ssp.major were grown with an abundant supply of nitrate, ammonium or nitrate+ammonium as the nitrogen source (0.5 mM). The combination of ammonium and nitrate gave a slightly higher final plant weight than nitrate or ammonium alone. Ammonium lowered the shoot to root ratio inP. major. Uptake of nitrate per g root was faster than that of ammonium, but from the mixed source ammonium and nitrate were taken up at the same rate. In vivo nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was present in both shoot and roots of plants receiving nitrate. When ammonium was applied in addition to nitrate, NRA of the shoot was not affected, but in the root the activity decreased. Thus, a larger proportion of total NRA was present in the shoot than with nitrate alone. In vitro glutamate dehydrogenase activity (GDHA) was enhanced by ammonium, both in the shoot and in the roots.In vitro glutamine synthetase activity (GSA) was highest in roots of plants receiving ammonium. Both GDHA and GSA were higher inP. lanceolata than inP. major. The concentration of ammonium in the roots increased with ammonium, but it did not accumulate in the shoot. The concentration of amino acids in the roots was also enhanced by ammonium. Protein concentration was not affected by the form of nitrogen. Nitrate accumulated in both the shoot and the roots of nitrate grown plants. When nitrate in the solution was replaced by ammonium, the nitrate concentration in the roots decreased rapidly. It also decreased in the shoot, but slowly. It is concluded that the nitrogen metabolism of the twoPlantago species shows a similar response to a change in the form of the nitrogen source, and that differences in natural occurrence of these species are not related to a differential adaptation of nitrogen metabolism towards the nitrogen form. Suitable parameters for establishing the nitrogen source in the field are thein vivo NRA, nitrate concentrations in tissues and xylem exudate, and the fraction of total reduced nitrogen in the roots that is in the soluble form, and to some extent thein vitro GDHA and GSA of the roots. Grassland Species Research Group. Publ. no 118.     

施钾对甘薯氮素转移分配及氮代谢酶活性的影响

利用¹⁵N示踪技术,研究了施钾对甘薯发根结薯期、薯块膨大期地上和地下部氮素转移分配、光合特性及氮代谢酶活性的影响.结果表明: 在发根结薯期,施钾显著提高¹⁵N向地上部的转移分配,其中K₃(K₂O, 300 mg·kg^-1)处理与对照相比¹⁵N向叶片转移速率提高了76.2%,¹⁵N积累量提高了92.1%.在薯块膨大期,随施钾量增加地上部叶片¹⁵N总分配率由33.7%降低至24.4%,块根¹⁵N分配率由5.8%升高至17%,其中K₃处理块根¹⁵N积累量是对照的3倍.两个关键生长期硝酸还原酶、谷氨酸脱氢酶、谷氨酰胺合酶、谷氨酸合酶和净光合速率(P_n)均随施钾量的增加而提高.逐步回归分析表明,氮代谢酶活性和P_n是影响甘薯¹⁵N转移和分配的主要因素(R分别为0.965和0.942),通径分析表明,在发根结薯期主要通过促进硝酸还原酶和谷氨酸脱氢酶介导的氮素催化能力促进氮素向地上部分配;在薯块膨大期主要通过提高谷氨酰胺合酶/谷氨酸合酶循环介导的氮素同化能力促进氮素向地下部分配.     

The pathway of nitrogen assimilation in plants

The major route of nitrogen assimilation has been considered for many years to occur via the reductive amination of α-oxoglutarate, catalysed by glutamate dehydrogenase. However, recent work has shown that in most bacteria an alternative route via glutamine synthetase and glutamine: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (glutamate synthase) operates under conditions of ammonia limitation. Subsequently the presence of a ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase in green leaves and green and blue-green algae, and a NAD(P)H and ferredoxin-dependent enzyme in roots and other non-green plant tissues, has suggested that this route may also function in most members of the plant kingdom. The only exceptions are probably the majority of the fungi, where so far most organisms studied do not appear to contain glutamate synthase. Besides the presence of the necessary enzymes there is other evidence to support the contention that the assimilation of ammonia into amino acids occurs via glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase, and that it is unlikely that glutamate dehydrogenase plays a major role in nitrogen assimilation in bacteria or higher plants except in circumstances of ammonia excess.     

Effects of sodium on mineral nutrition in rose plants

The effects of sodium (Na⁺) ion concentration on shoot elongation, uptake of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃^?) and the activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) were studied in rose plants (Rosa hybrida cv. “Lambada”). The results showed that shoot elongation was negatively correlated with sodium concentration, although no external symptoms of toxicity were observed. Nitrate uptake decreased at high sodium levels, specifically at 30 meq litre4 of sodium. As flower development was normal under high saline conditions, this could suggest that nitrogen was being mobilised from shoot and leaf reserves. Ammonium uptake was not affected by any of the salt treatments applied probably because it diffuses through the cell membrane at low concentrations. Nitrate reductase activity was reduced by 50% at 30 meq litre 1 compared with control treatment, probably due to a decrease in the free nitrate related to nitrate uptake pattern. None of the salt treatments used affected total leaf GS activity (both chloroplastic and cytosolic isoforms) or leaf NPK mineral contents. Nitrate reductase activity in leaves increased at 10 meq litre^?1 of sodium and GS activity in roots (cytosolic isoform only) followed the same pattern as NR. It is suggested that the activation of both enzymes at low salt level could be attributed to the beneficial effect of increased sulphur in the nutrient solutions.     

The effects of mineral nutrition and benzyladenine on the plasmalemma ATPase activity from roots of wheat and Plantago major ssp. pleiosperma

There is an increasing awareness of the possibilities of mineral nutrition as regulator of growth substance action and vice versa. The present paper focuses on the effects of mineral nutrition and benzyladenine at the level of the plasma membrane. Seedlings of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Drabant) and juvenile plants of Plantago major L. ssp. pleiosperma (Pilger) were grown hydroponically at different mineral levels with or without benzyladenine. Purified plasmalemma preparations from roots of wheat and P. major ssp. pleiosperma were obtained by the two phase partitioning method, using 6.5% (w/w) of each of Dextran T-500 and polyethylene glycol 3350. The Mg²⁺ and (Mg²⁺+ K⁺) dependent ATPase activities of the root plasmalemma in both species and the (Mg²⁺+ Cl⁻) one in P. major ssp. pleiosperma increased with increasing mineral levels, but the ionic strength did not influence the substrate specificity, the sensitivity to inhibitors or the pH optima.
The addition of 10⁻⁸ M benzyladenine to a nutrient solution increased the ATPase activities. The pH optima and the sensitivity to several inhibitors were not affected by benzyladenine, but the substrate specificity for ATP decreased, except for the K⁺ stimulation. In conclusion, benzyladenine mimics the effects of a higher mineral level than actually applied. Data from this and previous experiments indicate that benzyladenine exerts its effects by increasing the endogenous cytokinin concentrations and by modulating membrane components.     

Effect of some disaccharides, hexoses and pentoses on nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase in excised pea roots

The effects of exogenous sucrose, lactose, d -glucose, d (-)fructose, d -galactose, d -mannose, l -sorbose, l -arabinose and d -xylose on nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) levels, on anaerobic nitrite production and on respiratory O₂ consumption were studied in excised roots of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Raman). Sucrose, glucose and fructose increase NR and GS levels and decrease GDH level (when compared with roots cultures without any sugar) at all concentrations used, but the extent of this effect varies. NR induction is enhanced by all sugars within the concentration range studied. Precultivation of roots with mannose and galactose results in an increase in anaerobic nitrite production in a medium consisting of phosphate buffer and KNO₃. GS reaches its maximum at lower sugar concentrations, this fact being especially clear-cut with galactose. The decrease in GS level observed in roots cultured without sucrose is enhanced by higher sorbose concentrations. The increase in GDH level occurring in roots cultured without sucrose is depressed by low galactose and mannose concentrations but enhanced by high galactose, mannose, xylose and a wide range of sorbose concentrations. Lactose exerts only slight influence on the enzymes. The effects of sugars are in no case consistent with their effect on respiratory O₂ consumption which is most pronounced with NR. The above results show that the effects of sugars on NR, GS and GDH are not mediated by one universal mechanism.     

Effect of Phytohormone Pretreatment on Nitrogen Metabolism in Vigna radiata Under Salt Stress

Application of NaCl (electrical conductivity 4.0 mS cm^–1) resulted in about 52, 50 and 55 % reduction in total nitrogen contents in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] leaf, root and nodule, respectively. In nodule, nitrogenase activity was reduced by about 84 % under stress as compared with the control set. Glutamine synthetase activity was reduced by about 31, 16 and 23 %, glutamate oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity was reduced by 78, 57 and 42 % and glutamate dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 9, 8 and 42 % in leaf, root and nodule, respectively, under salt stress. The pretreatment with indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic acid and kinetin, each ranging from 0.1 to 10 µM, in restoring the metabolic alterations imposed by NaCl salinity was investigated in mung bean. The three phytohormones used were able to overcome to variable extents the adverse effects of stress imposed by NaCl solution.     

Effect of NO3- supply on N metabolism of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) with special focus on the tubers

The response of the tubers to NO₃^– was studied in comparison to the other organs of Solanum tuberosum var. Sava, with special focus on: (a) whether tubers are capable of primary N assimilation; (b) whether N assimilation is stimulated by NO₃^–; and (c) whether primary N assimilation in tubers is important for tuber growth. NO₃^– reduction via nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.6.6.1) and NH₄⁺ assimilation via glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) occurred predominantly in the shoots, but up to 20% was contributed by the tubers under low‐NO₃^– conditions. NR activation was highest in tubers (up to 90%) and declined in all organs with increasing NO₃^– supply. NR and GS activity responded with a decline in tubers and roots as opposed to an increase in the shoots. This corresponded to relative organ growth: growth of tubers and roots was stimulated relative to that of shoots at a limiting NO₃^– supply. Absolute growth of all organs was stimulated by NO₃^–, whereas tuber number declined. The concentration of N compounds increased with NO₃^– supply in all organs: NO₃^– increased most dramatically in the shoots (81‐fold), free amino acids most markedly in the tubers (three‐fold). The amount of patatin and of the 22 kDa protein complex in the tuber reached a minimum when the amount of Rubisco in the shoot reached maximum as a response to NO₃^– supply. Tuber sucrose and starch increased by 40%, whereas glucose and fructose declined two‐fold as plant N status increased. It is concluded that tubers are potentially N autotroph organs with capacity for de novo synthesis of amino acids. Primary N assimilation in tubers, however, declines with increasing NO₃^– supply and is not of major importance for tuber growth.     

Effect of atmospheric ammonia on the nitrogen metabolism of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles

Four-year-old seedlings of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) were exposed to filtered air (FA), and to FA supplemented with NH₃ (60 and 240 μg m⁻³) in controlled-environment chambers for 14 weeks. Exposure to the higher NH₃ concentration resulted in an increased activity of glutamine synthetase (GS, EC 6.3.1.2), and an increase in the concentrations of soluble proteins, total nitrogen, free amino acids and leaf pigments in the needles. The GS activity (μmol g⁻¹ fresh weight h⁻¹) in the needle extract increased to levels 69% higher than in FA and the soluble protein concentration to levels 22% higher. Total nitrogen concentration in the needles was 42% higher than in FA, while the free amino acid concentration was 300% higher, which was caused by an increase in arginine, glutamate, aspartate and glutamine. Chlorophyll a , chlorophyll b and carotenoid concentrations were 29, 38 and 11% higher, respectively. Neither the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) activity nor the concentrations of free NH₄⁺ and glucose in the needles were affected by exposure to NH₃. After NH₃ fumigation at 240 μg m⁻³ the starch concentration decreased by 39% relative to the FA. The results indicate that the metabolism of Scots pine acclimates to concentrations of NH₃ which are 3 to 10 times higher than the average concentration in areas with intensive stock farming. The possible mechanisms underlying acclimation to NH₃ are discussed.     

Nitrogen metabolism in cultured cotyledon explants of Pinus radiata during de novo organogenesis

Nitrogen metabolism was investigated under shoot-forming (SF) and non-shoot-forming (NSF) conditions in cultured cotyledon explants of Pinus radiata by following the incorporation of [¹⁴C]-l,2-acetate into various metabolites. Early in culture, the lipid fraction contained the most ¹⁴C; however, this percentage decreased in favor of increased label in the amphoteric fraction. Label in the amphoteric fraction of SF cultures decreased by day 21 but plateaued in NSF cultures at this time. Radioactive labeling of the principle nitrogen metabolites, glutamate and glutamine, which made up the majority of the amphoteric fraction, paralleled labeling patterns in the amphoteric fraction. Percentage label in glutamate remained at similar levels throughout the 21-day culture period for both SF and NSF cultures. Specific activity of glutamate (kBq mg^-1) was significantly greater during promeristemoid formation in SF compared to that in NSF tissues. Glutamine labeling increased during shoot bud initiation in SF cultures, but dropped to lower levels during shoot bud development. In contrast, in NSF cultures, there was a continual and substantial increase in glutamine labeling throughout the 21-day culture period. These trends were similar when the specific activities of glutamine were determined, as there was a continual decrease from culture initiation to the end of shoot bud differentiation in SF cultures. In NSF cultures, in contrast, specific activity of glutamine increased substantially from day 5 to 21 relative to that in SF cultures. The nitrogen assimilation enzymes glutamate synthase and glutamine synthase increased in activity from day 0 to 21 for both SF and NSF tissues. Enzyme activities for glutamate dehydrogenase were similar in both treatments to day 10 in culture but subsequently diverged, with activities in NSF cultures being substantially greater than those of SF cultures by day 21. Taken together, labeling and enzyme data indicate that nitrogen metabolism is enhanced during culture, especially in SF tissues at the time of promeristemoid formation, and in non-organ-forming tissue senescence-like metabolism was exhibited later in culture.     

Activity profiles of enzymes involved in glutamine and glutamate metabolism in the apple during autumnal senescence

Seasonal changes in glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2), glutamate synthase (EC 2.6.1.53), and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.3) were measured in both senescing leaf and bark tissues of ‘Golden Delicious’ apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.). From the measured enzyme activities we attempted to estimate the in vivo catalytic potentials of the enzymes with special reference to nitrogen mobilization and conservation of senescing apple trees. The cumulative glutamine synthetase activity of leaf tissue was about three times higher than that of bark. The estimated catalytic potential of leaf glutamine synthetase was 800-fold higher than the actual protein nitrogen loss of senescing leaves. The cumulative glutamate synthase activity of bark was about six times higher than that of leaf. The estimated catalytic potential of bark glutamate synthase was 160-times higher than the actual protein nitrogen gain in that tissue. The cumulative glutamate dehydrogenase activities in leaf and bark tissue were approximately the same. However, the catalytic potential of leaf glutamate dehydrogenase was twice that of leaf glutamate synthase. It is thus concluded that the physiological role of glutamine synthetase in senescing leaf tissue is to furnish the amide(s) prior to mobilization of nitrogen to storage tissue. The higher activity of glutamate synthase in bark tissue could provide a mechanism to transform the imported amide nitrogen to amino nitrogen of glutamate for storage protein synthesis. The possible regulatory factors upon the activity of these enzymes in the tissues of senescing apple trees are discussed.     

马衔山不同海拔土壤碳、氮、磷含量及生态化学计量特征

研究半干旱地区土壤碳、氮、磷化学计量特征,了解其空间变化规律,有助于揭示半干旱地区C、N、P循环对全球气候变化的响应。本研究以半干旱区的马衔山为对象,选择5个海拔的7个样地,采集0～15、15～30 cm层的土壤,测定其有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、pH、含水率等理化性质,分析其SOC、TN、TP化学计量与土壤理化因子之间的关系。结果表明:(1) 0～15 cm土壤SOC、TN、TP含量高于15～30 cm土壤。表层土壤SOC、TN含量随海拔升高呈增加趋势,TP含量随海拔升高变化较小。(2) C∶N随海拔增加呈先增加后降低趋势,C∶P、N∶P随海拔升高均呈增加趋势。(3)在0～15 cm土壤中,pH与SOC、TN含量及C∶P呈显著负相关,在15～30 cm土层中,pH与SOC、TN、TP含量及化学计量特征关系不显著;土壤含水率与0～15、15～30 cm层土壤中SOC、TN含量均呈极显著正相关。本研究显示,在半干旱区的马衔山地区,土壤含水率随海拔增加而增加,而SOC、TN含量及C∶P、N∶P也呈增加趋势,土壤养分含量及化学计量均受土壤含水率影响。     

The role of sulphur in detoxication of cadmium in young sugar beet plants

In young sugar beet plants cadmium suppressed the activity of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase, whereas sulphur exhibited a protective role towards activity of these enzymes, except of glutamine synthetase. Protein synthesis was suppressed in the absence of S in nutrient medium; the lowest level was at 10^-3 M Cd²⁺. Chloroplast pigment contents were increased by S while Cd²⁺, even in the lowest concentration, (10⁻⁵ M) showed a repressive effect. The highest concentrations of Cd²⁺ (10−3 M) caused a decrease in dry mass, whereas S induced its increase. Nitrate content was increased in the presence of Cd²⁺ and decreased by increased concentration of S. Acknowledgement: The authors acknowledge financial support of the Ministry for Science and Technology of Serbia. The paper was presented at 9th Congress of the Federation of European Societies of Plant Physiology, Brno, Czech Republic, 3–8 July 1994.