Nitrogen-Metabolizing Enzymes: Effect of Nitrogen Sources and Saline Irrigation

Abstract Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. cv. RH-30) was grown under different types and levels of nitrogen (N) sources, i.e. nitrate, ammonical, and nitrate plus ammonical, at 40, 80, and 120 kg ha− 1 under green house conditions. The plants were salinized with 8 and 12 dSm− 1 at 35 and 55 days after sowing. A progressive inhibition of the activity of enzymes of N metabolism, i.e., nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), was observed with increasing level of salinity. However, the magnitude of such reductions was lowest at the highest level of N (120 kg ha− 1) as compared with the lowest level (40 kg ha− 1) irrespective of N source. The activity of nitrate-assimilating enzymes (NR and NiR) was maximum with nitrate fertilizer, and minimum with the ammonical form. The alleviation of detrimental effects of salinity on NR and NiR was better with the highest level of N (120 kg ha− 1) in nitrate form as compare...