Stimulation of CAM Photosynthesis in Kalanchoë blossfeldiana by Transferring to Nitrogen-Deficient Conditions.
Kalanchoë blossfeldiana Poelln. cv Hikan plants were grown hydroponically with nutrient solution containing 5 millimolar NO(3) (-) (or NH(4) (+)) for 1 to 2 months and then transferred to nutrient solution containing no nitrogen. CO(2) uptake at night, nocturnal increase in titratable acidity, and activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase increased after the transfer. Thus, transfer to nitrogen-deficient conditions stimulates Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM photosynthesis) in K. blossfeldiana. The importance of the plant nitrogen status (nitrogen-withdrawal status) for induction and stimulation of CAM photosynthesis is discussed.
Ota
K
K
Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464, Japan.