Humic substances stimulate maize nitrogen assimilation and amino acid metabolism at physiological and molecular level

• DOI: 10.1186/s40538-015-0033-5
• Publication Date: 2015-02-12T17:11:02Z
• Authors: Silvia Vaccaro; Andrea Ertani; Antonio Nebbioso; Adele Muscolo; Silvia Quaggiotti; Alessandro Piccolo; Serenella Nardi
• Keywords: Nitrogen Assimilation; Nitrogen Cycle; Assimilation (phonology); Plant Physiology

Abstract Background The effects of a humic substance (HS) extracted from volcanic soil on the nitrate assimilation pathway Zea mays seedlings were thoroughly examined using physiological and molecular approaches. Plant growth, amount soluble proteins amino acids, as well activities enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism Krebs cycle, evaluated response to different HS concentrations (0, 1 5 mg C L −1 ) supplied maize for 48 h. To better understand action, transcript accumulation selected genes encoding cycle was additionally grown 2 weeks under (N) sufficient condition N deprivation. Results at low concentration (1 positively influenced by increasing content protein acids synthesis. Furthermore, activity transcription functioning significantly stimulated. Conclusions treatment gene expression plants transcriptional level this regulation closely dependent availability growth medium.