Partitioning of nitrate reductase activity in Coffea arabica L. and its relation to carbon assimilation under different irradiance regimes

Abstract

The distribution of in vivo nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) activity (NRA) between leaves and roots was studied in young coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.) grown in pots with watered sand in a glasshouse and irrigated with nutrient solution. The influence of irradiance regimes on the partitioning of NRA, and its relation with CO2 assimilation, was also evaluated in plants grown under approximately 20, 50 and 100% of full sunlight. Time-course of nitrate accumulation in nitrogen-starved plants showed a similar pattern in leaves and roots after supplying 15 mmol L-1 nitrate, indicating efficient ability of the roots to export nitrate to the shoot. At the same time, NRA was rapidly induced in both tissues. In shoots, NRA partitioning was synchronized among the various leaf pairs. The initial increase in NRA, as each leaf pair emerged, coincided with the optimum NRA values of the next older leaf pair. However, the average shoot NRA remained relatively constant for each sampling date. During the first 23 weeks of vegetative growth, the mean NRA was 32% higher in leaves than in roots. The irradiance regimes influenced the partitioning of NRA between leaves and roots. The NRA leaf/root ratio was 0.72, 1.21 and 1.05, respectively, for plants grown under 20%, 50% and 100% of full sunlight. Leaf NRA was positively correlated with CO2 assimilation, in response to irradiance regimes. Under favorable CO2 assimilation conditions, higher NRA was observed in leaves than in roots, and the contrary trend occurred under limiting CO2 assimilation conditions. Under moderate irradiance regime the leaves were the main site of nitrate reduction, contributing with 70% of the whole plant nitrate assimilation.