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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Plant Sci.
Sec. Plant Nutrition
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1427720

Effect of copper on nitrogen uptake, transportation, assimilation processes, and related gene expression in Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis (L.)] under various nitrate-to-ammonium ratios

Provisionally accepted
Peiran Xu Peiran Xu 1Yafang Tang Yafang Tang 1Xin Wen Xin Wen 1,2,3*Hang Zhong Hang Zhong 1Pan Chen Pan Chen 1Zhenhao Zhu Zhenhao Zhu 1Xinya Zhang Xinya Zhang 1Xiaohui Zhang Xiaohui Zhang 1Aoran Du Aoran Du 4
  • 1 Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan, Hubei, China
  • 2 Zhejiang Ecological Civilization Academy, Huzhou, China
  • 3 College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
  • 4 School of Management, Minzu University of China, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Improving vegetable yield and optimizing its quality through nutrient management have long been central to plant nutrition and horticultural science. Copper (Cu) is recognized as an essential trace element that promotes plant growth and development. However, the mechanisms by which Cu influences nitrogen (N) metabolism remain largely unknown, with limited studies exploring the interaction between Cu and varying nitrate-to-ammonium (nitrate/ammonium) ratios. In this study, Chinese cabbage was exposed to two Cu concentrations (0 and 0.02 mg L -1 ) in combination with three nitrate/ammonium ratios (10/90, 50/50, and 90/10) under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that Cu application increased plant biomass, nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme activities, the expression of NR (NIA) and GS2 (Gln2) genes, and N content in both shoots and roots. Additionally, Cu treatment decreased nitrate and free amino acid contents, as well as the expression of nitrate transporters NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 in roots while increasing these four parameters in shoots. Additionally, these effects were significantly modulated by the nitrate/ammonium ratios. In conclusion, Cu may facilitate nitrate transportation, enhance nitrate reduction, promote ammonium assimilation, and influence the transformation of organic N compounds, highlighting its potential role in improving N metabolism in Chinese cabbage.

    Keywords: Copper, Nitrate/ammonium ratios, nitrogen metabolism, Gene Expression, Chinese cabbage

    Received: 04 May 2024; Accepted: 26 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Xu, Tang, Wen, Zhong, Chen, Zhu, Zhang, Zhang and Du. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Xin Wen, Zhejiang Ecological Civilization Academy, Huzhou, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.