Photosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1039-1046 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0815-7

Effect of ammonium/nitrate ratio on pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) photosynthetic capacity and biomass accumulation under low light intensity and water deficit

H.Q. Shang1, G.M. Shen1,*
1 Key Laboratory of Plant Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Heze University, Heze, Shandong, China

We conducted a hydroponic experiment in order to study effects of the ammonium/nitrate ratio (0:15, 5:10, 7.5:7.5, and 10:5) on photosynthetic characteristics and biomass accumulation in Brassica chinensis under low light intensity and water stress. Results showed that net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intrinsic water-use efficiency, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, electron transport rate, and nonphotochemical quenching were lower in the treatment (low light intensity and water deficit) than those in the control, whereas stomatal limitation increased. Minimum fluorescence, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, and photochemical quenching were largely unchanged. Pigment contents first increased and then decreased as the ammonium/nitrate ratios were altered, with significant differences between treatment and control observed at all ratios except for 10:5. Biomass first increased slightly and then decreased both in treated and control plants. Results suggest that economic losses caused by extreme conditions can be minimized by a proper adjustment of the ammonium/nitrate ratio.

Keywords: chlorophyll fluorescence; electron transport rate; nitrate reductase; NH4+; NO3-; stomatal conductance; water-use efficiency

Received: October 28, 2016; Accepted: July 28, 2017; Prepublished online: December 1, 2018; Published: November 1, 2018Show citation

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Shang, H.Q., & Shen, G.M. (2018). Effect of ammonium/nitrate ratio on pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) photosynthetic capacity and biomass accumulation under low light intensity and water deficit. Photosynthetica, 56(4), 1039-1046. doi: 10.1007/s11099-018-0815-7.
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