Effect of Nitrogen Sources on Photosynthesis and Biosynthesis of Alkaloids and Leaf Volatile Compounds in Annona sylvatica A. St.-Hil

• Published in: Journal of soil science and plant nutrition 2022-03, Vol.22 (1), p.956-970
• Main Authors: Corrêa, Patricia Luciana Carriel, De-la-Cruz-Chacón, Iván, Sousa, Marília Caixeta, Vieira, Maria Aparecida Ribeiro, Campos, Felipe Girotto, Marques, Marcia Ortiz Mayo, Boaro, Carmen Sílvia Fernandes, Ferreira, Gisela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Alkaloids; Amino acids; Ammonium; Annona; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biosynthesis; Chlorophyll; Ecology; Efficiency; Energy resources; Energy sources; Environment; Enzymes; Hydroponics; Leaves; Life Sciences; Metabolism; Metabolites; Nitrogen; Nitrogen sources; Original Paper; Photosynthesis; Plant resistance; Plant Sciences; Plants; Plants (botany); Seedlings; Soil Science & Conservation; Volatile compounds
• ISSN: 0718-9508; 0718-9516
• DOI: 10.1007/s42729-021-00705-8

Nitrogen (N) has been reported to act on both primary and specialized metabolism of plants. However, it is not clear how different N sources affect metabolism in species of the genus Annona . Thus, the aim of the work was to analyze how nitrate (NO 3 − ) and ammonium (NH 4 + ) influence photosynthesis and the production of alkaloids and leaf volatile compounds in Annona sylvatica A. St.-Hil. Plants were submitted to four treatments [NH 4 + , NO 3 − , NO 3 − :NH 4 + , and no N (W/N)], in hydroponic cultivation, and collected at 30, 60, and 90 days after the beginning of treatments. Plants maintained in NH 4 + showed greater photosynthetic activity, high production of total alkaloids, in particular liriodenine, and increased production of leaf volatile compounds commonly related to stress situations. On the other hand, plants cultivated with NO 3 − showed lower photosynthetic activity and higher production of leaf volatile compounds related to plant resistance and defense. A. sylvatica seedlings are adapted to NH 4 + with energy resources used to increase both primary and specialized metabolism, while using NO 3 − , the lower energy availability leads A. sylvatica plants to invest in leaf defense and not in photosynthesis. The individual use of NH 4 + and NO 3 − increases the phytochemical potential of the species by stimulating the production of different groups of specialized metabolites.