Interactive effects of UV-B irradiation and triadimefon on nodulation and nitrogen metabolism in Vigna radiata plants

Abstract

Supply of aqueous solution of triadimefon (20 mg dm-3) to unstressed green gram plants increased the contents of soluble proteins, amino acids, nitrate and nitrite, and the activity of nitrate reductase in the leaves and nitrate reductase in nodules. The nitrogenase activity in nodules and roots was also increased. Number and fresh mass of nodules and their nitrate and nitrite contents were also higher than those of the controls. In contrast, the UV-B stress (12.2 kJ m-2 d-1) suppressed nodulation and nitrogen metabolism in leaves and roots compared to plants under natural UV-B (10 kJ m-2 d-1). Triadimefon-treated plants did not show such severe inhibitions after exposure to elevated UV-B. Thus triadimefon increased their tolerance to UV-B stress.