1976•PLANT PHYSIOLOGYOpen access
Nitrate Absorption by Barley
K. Prasad Rao, D. W. Rains
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Abstract
The influence of protein synthesis and nitrate reductase activity on nitrate absorption by barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was investigated. Cycloheximide decreased nitrate absorption. Pretreatment studies showed that cycloheximide affects either energy transfer or nitrate reductase activity or both.Illumination increased plant capacity for nitrate absorption, possibly through increased energy supply and/or increased nitrate reductase activity. There was a positive correlation between nitrate reductase activity and light. Inhibiting the development of nitrate reductase activity by tungstate decreased nitrate absorption.AT LEAST TWO NITRATE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS ARE THUS PROPOSED IN BARLEY: one operating in the dark, with little nitrate reductase activity detectable; and one closely correlated with nitrate reductase activity. Total absorption is the sum of dark absorption and absorption facilitated by nitrate reductase.