Effects of 24-epibrassinolide on nitrogen metabolism in cucumber seedlings under Ca(NO3)2 stress

Ca(NO3)(2) accumulation is a major factor that limits greenhouse production in China. The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on nitrogen metabolism (including contents of NO3-, NH4+ and amino acids and related enzymes activities) in cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L cv. Jinyou No. 4) under 80 mM Ca(NO3)(2) stress. This study found that exogenous EBL significantly reduced the accumulation of NO3 and NH4+ by Ca(NO3)(2), and enhanced the inactivated enzymes activities involved in the nitrogen metabolism. In addition, EBL alleviated the inhibition of photosynthesis nitrogen-use efficiency by Ca(NO3)(2). Increased total amino acids by EBL under stress increased the precursor of proteins biosynthesis, thus promoting the biosynthesis nitrogen containing compounds. The presence of Ca(NO3)(2) increased polyamines level, which might result from the increased content of free putrescine that is harmful to plant growth. However, exogenous EBL induced a further increase in total polyamines. The increase is likely caused by the elevated contents of conjugated and bound forms of polyamines. In summary, exogenously EBL compensated for the damage/losses by Ca(NO3)(2) stress to some extent through the regulation of nitrogen metabolism and metabolites. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.