Site of nitrate reduction in Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) changes from leaf to root during development

Abstract

In Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), nitrogen metabolism was shown to be drastically altered when different development stages were compared. During development, a change in the location of nitrate reduction and alterations in the relative concentrations of amino acids were observed. Nitrate reductase activity in the roots of C. ensiformis increased during the growth of the plants, being highest at the stage of seed production, whereas leaf nitrate reductase activity showed the reverse pattern, being highest at the vegetative stage and lowest at seed production.

Key words:

• nitrate reductase
• glutamine
• amino acids