Nitrate-Induced inhibition of root nodule formation and nitrogenase activity in the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

The effect of nitrate in the culture solution (0.7, 3.5, 7.0, and 14.0 mM N) on the growth, root nodule formation and nitrogenase activity of the peanut (cv. chico) inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. was examined at early developmental stages. The amount of nitrogen derived from fixation and its percentage to total nitrogen in the nitrate-fed plant were evaluated using 15N labeled nitrate. The dry weight and total nitrogen content of the plant at 40 days after transplanting (day 40) varied with the concentration of nitrate in the culture solution. Both of them were higher in the plants grown in the presence of nitrate at the concentrations above 0.7 mM. On the other hand, the number and fresh weight of nodules, and acetylene reduction activity per plant were the lowest in the presence of nitrate at 14.0 mM, relatively high at 0.7 mM, and the highest at 3.5 mM. The proportion of N derived from atmosphere to total nitrogen in the plants examined at days 18 and 33 was 23-31% in the presence of nitrate at 3.5 and 14.0 mM. However, the proportion examined at day 48 was as high as 57-58% at 3.5 mM, and it was only 22-24% at 14.0 mM.