title: Changes in polyamines, inorganic ions and glutamine synthetase activity in response to nitrogen availability and form in red spruce (Picea rubens).
abstract: We analyzed effects of nitrogen availability and form on growth rates, concentrations of polyamines and inorganic ions and glutamine synthetase activity in in-vitro-cultured red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) cells. Growth rates, concentrations of polyamines and glutamine synthetase activity declined when either the amount of nitrate or the total amount of N in the culture medium was reduced. When total N in the medium was increased, cell mass increased without significant changes in glutamine synthetase activity or polyamine concentration. Reductions in the amount of nitrate or total N in the culture medium resulted in increased accumulations of Ca, Mn and Zn in the cells, and K accumulation decreased in response to decreasing nitrate:ammonium ratios. The data indicate that changes in total N availability as well as the forms of N play important roles in the physiological responses of in-vitro-grown red spruce cells that mimic the observed responses of forest trees to soil N deficiency and N fertilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Serapiglia
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Minocha
authors.forename: Subhash C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Minocha
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007477:Ions / Q000378:metabolism; D009566:Nitrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028222:Picea / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D007477:Ions; D009566:Nitrates; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011073:Polyamines; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D005974:Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase; D009584:Nitrogen; C023844:potassium nitrate