Growth and Physiological Responses of Blackberry Seedlings to Different NH4+:NO3− Ratios

• Published in: Journal of soil science and plant nutrition 2024-09, Vol.24 (3), p.4549-4564
• Main Authors: Wei, Zhiwen, Yang, Haiyan, Duan, Yongkang, Fan, Sufan, Wu, Wenlong, Lyu, Lianfei, Li, Weilin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Antioxidants; Berries; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Blackberries; Carbon; Catalase; Chlorophyll; Ecology; Energy consumption; Environment; Enzymes; Fruits; Hydrogen peroxide; Life Sciences; Metabolism; Nitrates; Nutrients; Original Paper; Photosynthesis; Physiological effects; Physiological responses; Physiology; Plant extracts; Plant growth; Plant Sciences; Plants (botany); Principal components analysis; Ratios; Seedlings; Soil Science & Conservation; Sugar; Superoxide anions; Superoxide dismutase; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0718-9508; 0718-9516
• DOI: 10.1007/s42729-024-01855-1

In order to reveal the regulator mechanism of different NH 4 + :NO 3 − ratios on the growth and development of blackberry seedlings for the first time. We explored the effect of different NH 4 + :NO 3 − ratios on growth parameters, biomass accumulation, chlorophyll, photosynthesis, sugars, and antioxidant capacity in blackberry plants. This study exhibited that the blackberry plants treated with NH 4 + :NO 3 − (75:25) not only grew better with the maximum leaf N content, total biomass and photosynthesis, but also maintained the higher contents of chlorophylls and sugars and the higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) during the treatment period. However, excessive NO 3 − caused ion toxicity and stress to the blackberry plants, which was detrimental to the growth and development of plants. Compared with NO 3 − , NH 4 + could better promote the photosynthesis, antioxidant capacity, biomass accumulation and N metabolism of blackberry plants. Moreover, CAT may be critical to the antioxidant system of blackberry plants. Correlation and principal component analysis displayed that the excessive accumulation of superoxide anion radical (O 2 . − ), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) destroyed the normal physiological and metabolic activities of blackberry plants. A 75:25 ratio of NH 4 + :NO 3 − was most beneficial for blackberry plants growth and development, and it was not recommended to apply too much NO 3 − to blackberry plants. These results provided technical guidance and a reference value for the application of N fertilizer to blackberry plants in actual plantings.