Elevated CO2 concentrations increase leaf nitrate reduction by strengthening sink activity in soybean plants

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of CO₂ enrichment on the nitrate uptake, nitrate reduction activity, and translocation of assimilated-N from leaves at varying levels of nitrogen nutrition in soybean using ¹⁵N tracer technique. CO₂ enrichment significantly increased the plant biomass, apparent leaf photosynthesis, sugar and starch contents of leaves, and reduced-N contents of the plant organs only when the plants were grown at high levels of nitrogen. A high supply of nitrogen enhanced plant growth and increased the reduced-N content of the plant organs, but its effect on the carbohydrate contents and photosynthetic rate were not significant. However, the combination of high CO₂ and high nitrogen levels led to an additive effect on all these parameters. The nitrate reductase activity increased temporarily for a short period of time by CO₂ enrichment and high nitrogen levels. ¹⁵N tracer studies indicated that the increase in the amount of reduced-N by CO₂ enrichment was derived from nitrate-N and not from fixed-N of the plant. To examine the translocation of reduced-N from the leaf in more detail, another experiment was conducted by feeding the plants with ¹⁵NO₃-N through a terminal leaflet of an upper trifoliated leaf under depodding and/or CO₂ enrichment conditions. The export rate of ¹⁵N from the terminal leaflet to other plant parts decreased by depodding, but it increased by CO₂ enrichment. CO₂ enrichment increased the percentage of plant ¹⁵N in the stem and / or pods. Depodding increased the percentage of plant ¹⁵N in the leaf and stem. The results suggested that the increase in the leaf nitrate reduction activity by CO₂ enrichment was due to the increase of the translocation of reduced-N from leaves through the strengthening of the sink activity of pods and / or stem for reduced-N.     

Availability and extractability of soil manganese in a liming experiment

Abstract

The availability of soil Mn to corn in relation to extractability of soil Mn by EDTA, Mg(NO₃)₂, CH₃COONH₄, hydroquinone, H₃PO₄, and NH₄H₂PO₄ as affected by liming was evaluated under field conditions on a single soil type. EDTA, Mg(NO₃)₂ and CH₃COONH₄‐extractable Mn were related inversely to available Mn. No useful relationships were found between hydroquinone, H₃PO₄, and NH₄H₂PO₄‐extractable soil Mn and Mn uptake by sweet corn.     

Extractability of 15N-labeled corn-shoot tissue in a sandy and a clay soil by 0.01 MCaCl2 method in laboratory incubation experiments

Management of N fertilization depends not only on the mineral N measured at the beginning of the growing season but also on the status of the low-molecular-weight organic-N fraction. Our study was conducted to analyze how much of the ¹⁵N applied in labeled cornshoot tissue would be recovered in 0.01 M CaCl₂-extractable ¹⁵N fractions and wheter a decrease in the CaCl₂-extractable ¹⁵N fraction quantitatively followed the trend in net mineralization of the ¹⁵N applied in corn-shoot tissue during an incubation period. The effects of adding ¹⁵N-labeled young corn-shoot tissue to a sandy soil and a clay soil were investigated for 46 days in an aerobic incubation experiment at 25°C. The application of 80 mg N kg^-1 soil in the form of labeled corn-shoot tissue (24.62 mg ¹⁵N kg^-1 soil) resulted in a significant initial increase, followed by a decrease the labeled organic-N fraction in comparison with the untreated soils during the incubation. The labeled organic-N fraction was significantly higher in the sandy soil than in the clay soil until the 4th day of incubation. The decrease in labeled organic N in the sandy soil resulted in a subsequent increase in ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- during the incubation. Ammonification of applied plant N resulted in a significant increase in the 1 M HCl-extractable non-exchangeable ¹⁵NH _inf4 ^sup+ fraction in the clay soik, owing to the vermiculite content. The ¹⁵N recovery was analyzed by the 0.01 M CaCl₂ extraction method; at the beginning of the incubation experiment, recovery was 37.0% in the sandy soil and 36.7% in the clay soil. After 46 days of incubation, recovery increased to 47.2 and 43.8% in the sandy and clay soils, respectively. Net mineralization of the ¹⁵N applied in corn-shoot tissue determined after the 46-day incubation was 6.60 mg ¹⁵N kg^-1 soil (=34.9% of the applied organic ¹⁵N) and 4.37 mg ¹⁵N kg^-1 soil (=23.1% of the applied organic ¹⁵N) in the sandy and the clay soils, respectively. The decrease in the labeled organic-N fraction extracted by 0.01 M CaCl₂ over the whole incubation period was 3.14 and 2.33 mg ¹⁵N kg^-1 soil in the sandy and clay soil, respectively. These results indicate that net mineralization of ¹⁵N was not consistent with the decrease in the labeled organic-N fraction. This may have been due to the inability of 0.01 M CaCl₂ to extract or desorb all of the applied organic ¹⁵N that was mineralized during the incubation period.     

Nutrient Solution and Nutrient Soil Solution Parameter Evolution in Tomato with Dynamic Fertigation under Saline Conditions

This trial was carried out to study the evolution of the nutrient parameters of the nutrient solution applied to tomato plants (Lycopersicum sculentum Mill. Forteza) cultivated in Mediterranean greenhouse conditions under different fertigation management models. The dynamic model is based on soil water content, which was measured by tensiometers, and on soil solutions obtained with suction cups (porous ceramic cup water samplers). The local traditional method consists of following technical recommendations, and the classical model requires the estimation of Crop Factor (Kc) and knowing the nutrient extraction. Nutrient solution and water applied are functions of the fertigation management criteria. The water used for fertigation was classified as C₄-S₃ according to the Riverside classification system. The cultivation period lasted from 15 August to 20 April. The nutrient parameters studied in nutrient and soil solution were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate (NO₃ ^?), phosphate (H₂PO₄ ^?), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and chloride (Cl^?). The pH shows similar trends under the different treatments. Electrical conductivity is in the range of 2.8–4.5 dS m^?1. Chloride, sodium, magnesium, and sulfate are exclusively modified by the salt concentration in the irrigation water, so it can be assumed that the three treatments vary equally. Nitrate, potassium, phosphate, and calcium are modified depending on each fertigation management method. Soil solution is modified by the nutrient solution applied. Dynamic management allows low nutrient concentration in the nutrient solution to be maintained and keeps soil nutrient concentration low, reducing fertilizer losses and therefore aquifer contamination.     

Comparison of chemical methods of assessing potentially available organic nitrogen in soil

Abstract

We recently developed two rapid and precise chemical methods of assessing potentially available organic N in soils. One method involves determination of the ammonia‐N produced by steam distillation of the soil sample with pH 11.2 phosphate‐borate buffer solution for 8 min. The other involves determination of the ammonium‐N produced by treatment of the soil sample with 2M KCl solution at 100°C for 4 hours. Studies using 33 Brazilian soils showed that the results obtained by these methods were highly correlated with those obtained by anaerobic and aerobic incubation methods of assessing potentially available organic N in soil.

The two methods were further evaluated by applying them to 30 Iowa soils and by comparing their results and those obtained by other chemical methods with the results of the incubation methods considered to be the best laboratory methods currently available for assessment of potentially available organic N in soil. The chemical methods used included the acid KMnO₄ method, the alkaline KMnO₄ method, the CaCl₂‐autoclave method, and the NaHCO₃ UV method. The incubation methods used involved determination of the ammonium‐N produced by incubation of the soil sample under anaerobic conditions for 1 week or determination of the (ammonium + nitrate + nitrite)‐N produced by incubation of the sample under aerobic conditions for 2 and 12 weeks. The data obtained showed that the results of the two chemical methods evaluated were highly correlated with those obtained by the incubation techniques used for comparison and that the correlations observed with these two methods were higher than those observed with the previously proposed chemical methods. It is concluded that these two rapid and simple methods are the best chemical methods thus far developed for laboratory assessment of potentially available organic N in soil.     

Effect of elevated CO2 on soil N dynamics in a temperate grassland soil

The response of terrestrial ecosystems to elevated atmospheric CO₂ is related to the availability of other nutrients and in particular to nitrogen (N). Here we present results on soil N transformation dynamics from a N-limited temperate grassland that had been under Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) for six years. A ¹⁵N labelling laboratory study (i.e. in absence of plant N uptake) was carried out to identify the effect of elevated CO₂ on gross soil N transformations. The simultaneous gross N transformation rates in the soil were analyzed with a ¹⁵N tracing model which considered mineralization of two soil organic matter (SOM) pools, included nitrification from NH₄⁺ and from organic-N to NO₃⁻ and analysed the rate of dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₄⁺ (DNRA). Results indicate that the mineralization of labile organic-N became more important under elevated CO₂. At the same time the gross rate of NH₄⁺ immobilization increased by 20%, while NH₄⁺ oxidation to NO₃⁻ was reduced by 25% under elevated CO₂. The NO₃⁻ dynamics under elevated CO₂ were characterized by a 52% increase in NO₃⁻ immobilization and a 141% increase in the DNRA rate, while NO₃⁻ production via heterotrophic nitrification was reduced to almost zero. The increased turnover of the NH₄⁺ pool, combined with the increased DNRA rate provided an indication that the available N in the grassland soil may gradually shift towards NH₄⁺ under elevated CO₂. The advantage of such a shift is that NH₄⁺ is less prone to N losses, which may increase the N retention and N use efficiency in the grassland ecosystem under elevated CO₂.     

Microbial decomposition of skeletal muscle tissue (Ovis aries) in a sandy loam soil at different temperatures

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the effect of temperature (2, 12, 22 °C) on the rate of aerobic decomposition of skeletal muscle tissue (Ovis aries) in a sandy loam soil incubated for a period of 42 days. Measurements of decomposition processes included skeletal muscle tissue mass loss, carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution, microbial biomass, soil pH, skeletal muscle tissue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and the calculation of metabolic quotient (qCO₂). Incubation temperature and skeletal muscle tissue quality had a significant effect on all of the measured process rates with 2 °C usually much lower than 12 and 22 °C. Cumulative CO₂ evolution at 2, 12 and 22 °C equaled 252, 619 and 905 mg CO₂, respectively. A significant correlation (P<0.001) was detected between cumulative CO₂ evolution and tissue mass loss at all temperatures. Q₁₀s for mass loss and CO₂ evolution, which ranged from 1.19 to 3.95, were higher for the lower temperature range (Q₁₀(2-12 °C)>Q₁₀(12-22 °C)) in the Ovis samples and lower for the low temperature range (Q₁₀(2-12 °C)<Q₁₀(12-22 °C)) in the control samples. Metabolic quotient and the positive relationship between skeletal muscle tissue mass loss and cumulative CO₂ evolution suggest that tissue decomposition was most efficient at 2 °C. These phenomena may be due to lower microbial catabolic requirements at lower temperature.     

Nutrient leaching driven by rainfall on a vermiculite clay soil under altered management and monitored with high-frequency time resolution

ABSTRACT

Nutrient leaching from clay soils can show extreme temporal and spatial variation. Using an optical sensor (hourly data storage), a Swedish field with vermiculite clay was monitored for water flow (Q expressed in mm), turbidity values (TURB), and nitrate-nitrogen concentrations (CNO₃N, mg L^-1) in four hydrological years representing different cropping/soil management regimes. Mean TURB-Q slope (1300) decreased in the order: ploughed soil > winter wheat > unfertilized fallow > winter wheat after drainage system renovation + structure-liming of topsoil and backfill, estimated in the initial phase from 16 selected autumn events. A similar ranking was found for variability in turbidity relative to that in discharge (CV _T/CV _Q) in the entire autumn. Mean CNO₃N-Q slope (=2) was significantly lower under fallow than in the three cropping systems (7-32), confirming results from adjacent experimental plots. A spring-period had no snow cover or intensive rain, but in situ monitoring revealed that nutrient leaching was still substantial. Particulate- and dissolved reactive phosphorus, and nitrate-nitrogen leaching was estimated reasonably well (less than 8% difference) based on in situ high-frequency resolution measurements, compared with laboratory analysis of weekly composite samples. Accurate assessment of C-Q relationships in agricultural drainage water across temporal and spatial scales is therefore important.     

Phosphorus Stress Induced Variations in Growth Behavior and P Efficiency among Brassica Cultivars Grown with Sparingly Soluble P Sources

To evaluate phosphorus (P)–stress–induced relative growth responses, P-efficiency characteristics, P remobilization, and redesign in root architectural systems, Brassica cultivars were grown with sparingly soluble rock phosphate and calcium phosphate [Ca₃(PO₄)₂] or with low/high P supply in solution and sand culture experiments. Tested cultivars showed considerable genetic diversity in biomass accumulation, concentration and contents of P, P-stress factor (PSF), and P-efficiency characteristics [P-utilization efficiency (PUE), P efficiency (PE), and P-efficiency ratio (PER)]. Statistically significant correlations were observed between P efficiency and growth parameters. Elongation rates of primary roots decreased but the length of lateral roots and branched zone elongation rates increased under P starvation. Cultivars remobilized P from metabolically inactive to active sites in P-stressed plants that may have helped low-P-tolerant cultivars to establish a better rooting system, which provided basis for enhanced P-use efficiency and tolerance against P stress. Cultivars depicting high P efficiency and low PSF values were more tolerant and are a better choice to grow under P-stress environments.     

Nitrogen fixation by biological soil crusts and heterotrophic bacteria in an intact Mojave Desert ecosystem with elevated CO2 and added soil carbon

Fixation of N by biological soil crusts and free-living heterotrophic soil microbes provides a significant proportion of ecosystem N in arid lands. To gain a better understanding of how elevated CO₂ may affect N₂-fixation in aridland ecosystems, we measured C₂H₂ reduction as a proxy for nitrogenase activity in biological soil crusts for 2 yr, and in soils either with or without dextrose-C additions for 1 yr, in an intact Mojave Desert ecosystem exposed to elevated CO₂. We also measured crust and soil δ¹⁵N and total N to assess changes in N sources, and δ¹³C of crusts to determine a functional shift in crust species, with elevated CO₂. The mean rate of C₂H₂ reduction by biological soil crusts was 76.9±5.6 μmol C₂H₄ m⁻² h⁻¹. There was no significant CO₂ effect, but crusts from plant interspaces showed high variability in nitrogenase activity with elevated CO₂. Additions of dextrose-C had a positive effect on rates of C₂H₂ reduction in soil. There was no elevated CO₂ effect on soil nitrogenase activity. Plant cover affected soil response to C addition, with the largest response in plant interspaces. The mean rate of C₂H₂ reduction in soils either with or without C additions were 8.5±3.6 μmol C₂H₄ m⁻² h⁻¹ and 4.8±2.1 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. Crust and soil δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values were not affected by CO₂ treatment, but did show an effect of cover type. Crust and soil samples in plant interspaces had the lowest values for both measurements. Analysis of soil and crust [N] and δ¹⁵N data with the Rayleigh distillation model suggests that any plant community changes with elevated CO₂ and concomitant changes in litter composition likely will overwhelm any physiological changes in N₂-fixation.     

N2O and NO fluxes between a Norway spruce forest soil and atmosphere as affected by prolonged summer drought

Global change scenarios predict an increasing frequency and duration of summer drought periods in Central Europe especially for higher elevation areas. Our current knowledge about the effects of soil drought on nitrogen trace gas fluxes from temperate forest soils is scarce. In this study, the effects of experimentally induced drought on soil N₂O and NO emissions were investigated in a mature Norway spruce forest in the Fichtelgebirge (northeastern Bavaria, Germany) in two consecutive years. Drought was induced by roof constructions over a period of 46 days. The experiment was run in three replicates and three non-manipulated plots served as controls. Additionally to the N₂O and NO flux measurements in weekly to monthly intervals, soil gas samples from six different soil depths were analysed in time series for N₂O concentration as well as isotope abundances to investigate N₂O dynamics within the soil. N₂O fluxes from soil to the atmosphere at the experimental plots decreased gradually during the drought period from 0.2 to −0.0 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively, and mean cumulative N₂O emissions from the manipulated plots were reduced by 43% during experimental drought compared to the controls in 2007. N₂O concentration as well as isotope abundance analysis along the soil profiles revealed that a major part of the soil acted as a net sink for N₂O, even during drought. This N₂O sink, together with diminished N₂O production in the organic layers, resulted in successively decreased N₂O fluxes during drought, and may even turn this forest soil into a net sink of atmospheric N₂O as observed in the first year of the experiment. Enhanced N₂O fluxes observed after rewetting up to 0.1 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ were not able to compensate for the preceding drought effect. During the experiment in 2006, with soil matric potentials in 20 cm depth down to −630 hPa, cumulative NO emissions from the throughfall exclusion plots were reduced by 69% compared to the controls, whereas cumulative NO emissions from the experimental plots in 2007, with minimum soil matric potentials of −210 hPa, were 180% of those of the controls. Following wetting, the soil of the throughfall exclusion plots showed significantly larger NO fluxes compared to the controls (up to 9 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ versus 2 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹). These fluxes were responsible for 44% of the total emission of NO throughout the whole course of the experiment. NO emissions from this forest soil usually exceeded N₂O emissions by one order of magnitude or more except during wintertime.     

Competition for inorganic and organic N by blue oak (Quercus douglasii) seedlings, an annual grass, and soil microorganisms in a pot study

Sources of competition for limited soil resources, such as nitrogen (N), include competitive interactions among different plant species and between plants and soil microorganisms (microbes). To study these competitive interactions, blue oak seedlings (Quercus douglasii) were grown alone or grown together with an annual grass, wild oats (Avena barbata) in pots containing field soil. We injected ¹⁵N-labeled ammonium, nitrate or glycine into the soil of each pot and harvested plants 5 days later. Plant shoots and roots, soil microbial N and soil KCl-extractable N were analyzed for ¹⁵N content. When oak and grass were grown together, ¹⁵N recovery from the inorganic N treatments (NH₄⁺, or NO₃⁻) was 34, 9 and 4% for the grass, microbes and oak seedlings, respectively, and only 1% remained as KCl-extractable N. ¹⁵N recovery from the glycine treatment was 18, 22, 5% for the grass, microbes and oak seedlings, respectively, and 4% remained as KCl-extractable N. When oaks were grown alone, ¹⁵N recovery by soil microbes was 21, 48 and 40% in the NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺ and glycine treatments, respectively. N forms had no effects on ¹⁵N recovery in oak seedlings (7%) and in KCl-extractable N pool (13%). In general, total N recovery by the grass was much greater than by oaks. However, on a fine root surface area or length basis, oaks exhibited higher N uptake than the grass. Our results suggest that the high rooting density and rapid growth rate of the annual grasses such as Avena barbata made them superior competitors for available soil N when compared to blue oak seedlings and to microbes. Soil microbes were better competitors for organic than inorganic N when annual grasses were present, but preferred NH₄⁺ when competing only with oak seedlings.     

Changes in forest soil organic matter pools after a decade of elevated CO2 and O3

The impact of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) may be mitigated, in part, by enhanced rates of net primary production and greater C storage in plant biomass and soil organic matter (SOM). However, C sequestration in forest soils may be offset by other environmental changes such as increasing tropospheric ozone (O₃) or vary based on species-specific growth responses to elevated CO₂. To understand how projected increases in atmospheric CO₂ and O₃ alter SOM formation, we used physical fractionation to characterize soil C and N at the Rhinelander Free Air CO₂-O₃ Enrichment (FACE) experiment. Tracer amounts of ¹⁵NH₄⁺ were applied to the forest floor of Populus tremuloides, P. tremuloides-Betula papyrifera and P. tremuloides-Acer saccharum communities exposed to factorial CO₂ and O₃ treatments. The ¹⁵N tracer and strongly depleted ¹³C-CO₂ were traced into SOM fractions over four years. Over time, C and N increased in coarse particulate organic matter (cPOM) and decreased in mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) under elevated CO₂ relative to ambient CO₂. As main effects, neither CO₂ nor O₃ significantly altered ¹⁵N recovery in SOM. Elevated CO₂ significantly increased new C in all SOM fractions, and significantly decreased old C in fine POM (fPOM) and MAOM over the duration of our study. Overall, our observations indicate that elevated CO₂ has altered SOM cycling at this site to favor C and N accumulation in less stable pools, with more rapid turnover. Elevated O₃ had the opposite effect, significantly reducing cPOM N by 15% and significantly increasing the C:N ratio by 7%. Our results demonstrate that CO₂ can enhance SOM turnover, potentially limiting long-term C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems; plant community composition is an important determinant of the magnitude of this response.     

Short-term C4 plant Spartina alterniflora invasions change the soil carbon in C3 plant-dominated tidal wetlands on a growing estuarine Island

Spartina alterniflora is an invasive C₄ perennial grass, native to North America, and has spread rapidly along the east coast of China since its introduction in 1979. Since its intentional introduction to the Jiuduansha Island in the Yangtze River estuary, Spartina alterniflora community has become one of the dominant vegetation types. We investigated the soil carbon in the Spartina alterniflora community and compared it with that of the native C₃Scirpus mariqueter community by measuring total soil carbon (TC), soil organic carbon (SOC), total soil nitrogen (TN), and the stable carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) of various fractions. TC and SOC were significantly higher in Spartina alterniflora in the top 60 cm of soil. However, there was no significant difference in soil inorganic carbon (IC) between the two communities. Stable carbon isotopic analysis suggests that the fraction of SOC pool contributed by Spartina alterniflora varied from 0.90% to 10.64% at a soil depth of 0-100 cm with a greater percentage between 20 and 40 cm deep soils. The δ¹³C decreased with increasing soil depth in both communities, but the difference in δ¹³C among layers of the top 60 cm soil was significant (p<0.05), while that for the deeper soil layers (>60 cm) was not detected statistically. The changes in δ¹³C with depth appeared to be associated with the small contribution of residues from Spartina alterniflora at greater soil depth that was directly related to the vertical root distribution of the species.     

Specific ion effect on the accumulation of abscisic acid in wheat

Studies were carried out in the glass house using sand culture to find out the specific ion effect on the accumulation of abscisic acid in wheat. Seeds were sown in sixteen different solutions of chloride, sulphate, nitrate, carbonate salts of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium used each at ‐2 bar osmotic potential. The leaf samples taken after 25 days of sowing indicated that osmotic as well as salt stress increased significantly the accumulation of abscisic acid. The accumulation of abscisic acid was significantly less under potassium and calcium salt ions as compared to that under sodium and magnesium salts ions. Overall effect of anions showed that accumulation of abscisic acid was more under PEG (osmotic stress and chloride salts but it was less under sulphate and nitrate salts and was the least under carbonate salts. The accumulation of abscisic acid was exceptionally high under potassium dihydrogen phosphate. In general, the accumulation of abscisic acid‐a growth inhibitor varied not only with the type of the cation but also depended on the accompanying anion indicating differential growth response of plants under different types of saline conditions having dominance of different salt ion(s).     

Effects of tree harvesting, forest floor removal, and compaction on soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration, and N availability in a boreal aspen forest in British Columbia

The effects of timber harvesting and the resultant soil disturbances (compaction and forest floor removal) on relative soil water content, microbial biomass C and N contents (C_mic and N_mic), microbial biomass C:N ratio (C_mic-to-N_mic), microbial respiration, metabolic quotient (qCO₂), and available N content in the forest floor and the uppermost mineral soil (0-3 cm) were assessed in a long-term soil productivity (LTSP) site and adjacent mature forest stands in northeastern British Columbia (Canada). A combination of principal component analysis and redundancy analysis was used to test the effects of stem-only harvest, whole tree harvest plus forest floor removal, and soil compaction on the studied variables. Those properties in the forest floor were not affected by timber harvesting or soil compaction. In the mineral soil, compaction increased soil total C and N contents, relative water content, and N_mic by 45%, 40%, 34% and 72%, respectively, and decreased C_mic-to-N_mic ratio by 29%. However, these parameters were not affected by stem only harvesting or whole tree harvesting plus forest floor removal, contrasting the reduction of white spruce and aspen growth following forest floor removal and soil compaction reported in an earlier study. Those results suggest that at the study site the short-term effects of timber harvesting, forest floor removal, and soil compaction are rather complex and that microbial populations might not be affected by the perturbations in the same way as trees, at least not in the short term.     

Drought and Salt Stress Mitigation by Seed Priming with KNO3 and Urea in Various Maize Hybrids: An Experimental Approach Based on Enhancing Antioxidant Responses

Priming offers an effective means for counteracting different stresses induced oxidative injury and raising seed performance in many crop species. The present study was carried out to investigate the ability of potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and urea to promote the tolerance of different maize hybrids to drought and salt stresses to identify some biochemical parameters associated with KNO₃ and urea induced resistance in maize seedlings. An experiment was conducted in a controlled environment of the laboratory at the college of agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz Iran, during 2010. The first factor was stress type and intensity at five levels; moderate drought, severe drought, moderate salt, severe salt, and control (without stress). Seed priming was the second factor; water as control, KNO₃, and urea, and maize hybrids, including Maxima, SC704, Zola, and 304 were the third factor. Results indicated that the highest chlorophyll a (Ch a), chlorophyll b (Ch b), total chlorophyll (Ch T) contents, and carotenoids (Car) were found in no stress treatments and the most proline, protein contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities in severe drought treatment. Also, results revealed that generally, drought and salinity stresses decreased the amount of Ch a and the lowest Ch a was recorded for severe salinity stress (4.29 mg g^?1). Stresses caused decrease in Ch b, but the effect of sever salinity level was higher than the others. Priming of KNO₃ had significantly higher proline content than water and urea priming. The SC704 and 304 hybrids showed higher proline content than the other ones. Finally, the maize seed KNO₃ and urea priming lead to high activities of antioxidant defensive enzymes and increase the tolerance level to abiotic stresses such as salt and drought.