The mechanisms of low nitrogen induced weakened photosynthesis in summer maize (Zea mays L.) under field conditions.
Soil nitrogen (N) shortage is a problem which affects many developing nations. Crops grown with low soil N levels show a marked decrease in the rate of photosynthesis and this deficiency reduces crop yield significantly. Therefore, developing a better understanding of the mechanisms by which low N levels cause decreased photosynthesis is crucial for maize agriculture. To better understand this process, we assessed the responses of photosynthesis traits and enzymatic activities in the summer maize cultivar Denghai 618 under field conditions with and without the use of N fertilisers. We measured photosynthesis parameters, and compared proteome compositions to identify the mechanisms of physiological and biochemical adaptations to N deficiency in maize. We observed that parameters that indicated the rate of photosynthesis decreased significantly under N deficiency, and this response was associated with leaf senescence. Moreover, we identified 37 proteins involved in leaf photosynthesis, and found that N deficiency significantly affected light-dependent and light-independent reactions in maize leaf photosynthesis. Although further analysis is required to fully elucidate the roles of these proteins in the response to N deficiency, our study identified candidate proteins which may be involved in the regulatory mechanisms involved in reduced photosynthesis under low N conditions in maize.
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China.
Shanshan
S
Wei
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China.
Xiangyu
X
Wang
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China.
Deyang
D
Shi
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China.
Yanhong
Y
Li
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China.
Jiwang
J
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China.
Peng
P
Liu
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China.
Bin
B
Zhao
State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, Shandong Province, PR China. Electronic address: stdong@sdau.edu.cn.
Shuting
S
Dong
D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005453:Fluorescence; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D010940:Plant Proteins; D002734:Chlorophyll; D009584:Nitrogen
Comparative proteomic analysis; Nitrogen deficiency; Photosynthesis; Summer maize