Limitations on Leaf Nitrate Reductase Activity during Flowering and Podfill in Soybean

The objective of this study was to identify factors which limit leaf nitrate reductase (NR) activity as decline occurs during flowering and beginning seed development in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv Clark). Level of NR enzyme activity, level of reductant, and availability of NO(3) (-) as substrate were evaluated for field-grown soybean from flowering through leaf senescence. Timing of reproductive development was altered within one genotype by (a) exposure of Clark to an artificially short photoperiod to hasten flowering and podfill, and (b) the use of an early flowering isoline. Nitrogen (N) was soil-applied to selected plots at 500 kilograms per hectare as an additional variable. Stem NO(3) (-) concentration and in vivo leaf NR activity were significantly correlated (R(2) = 0.69 with nitrate in the assay medium and 0.74 without nitrate in the medium at P = 0.001) across six combinations of reproductive and soil N-treatment. The supply of NO(3) (-) from the root to the leaf tissue was the primary limitation to leaf NR activity during flowering and podfill. Levels of NR enzyme and reductant were not limiting to leaf NR activity during this period.