Effect of Nitrogen Form on Gene Expression in Leaf Tissue of Greenhouse Grown Potatoes During Three Stages of Growth

• DOI: 10.1007/s12230-012-9255-2
• Publication Date: 2012-08-08T02:24:28Z
• Authors: Bernie J. Zebarth; Helen Tai; Sainan Luo; Pete Millard; David De Koeyer; Xiu-Qing Li; Xingyao Xiong
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 2. Zero hunger; 03 medical and health sciences

This study examined the expression of genes in leaf tissue of greenhouse-grown potatoes to the form of N supplied in the context of development of a diagnostic tool for detection of N status. Potato cultivar ‘Shepody’ was grown over a two-week period at three stages of growth (tuber initiation, flowering and early tuber bulking) with three forms of N (NO3− only, NH4+ only, or 1:1 NO3−:NH4+) at two levels of N supply (0.75 or 7.5 mM). Leaf disks were collected and extracted for RNA, and 28 genes examined for expression using nCounter. Expression of ammonium transporter AT1 was increased when the N supply was reduced, regardless of N form, and was generally independent of growth stage. Expression of AT1 was less influenced by N form than currently used chemical or optical measures of plant N status. Expression of AT1 can be used as a quantitative indicator for plant N status of potato regardless of nitrogen form and crop growth stage.