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Related Concept Videos

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
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Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

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The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

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Nitrogen form modulates carbon and nitrogen metabolism and assimilates partitioning to shape maize ear development.

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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
08:44

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis

Published on: May 10, 2020

Nitrogen form substitution identifies nitrogen use efficiency management pathways in maize.

Joseph N Amoah1, Claudia Keitel1, Brent N Kaiser1

  • 1School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 380 Werombi Road, Brownlow Hill, Camden, NSW 2570 Australia.

Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants : an International Journal of Functional Plant Biology
|June 1, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Maize plants adapt to changing nitrogen forms with enhanced growth and nutrient uptake. This study reveals dynamic nitrogen metabolism and partitioning, crucial for improving nitrogen use efficiency in crops.

Keywords:
Diurnal nitrogen allocationMaize growth and metabolismNitrate and ammonium dynamicsNitrogen assimilationNitrogen use efficiency

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Imaging and Analysis for Quantifying Maize (Zea mays) Abiotic Stress Phenotypes
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Imaging and Analysis for Quantifying Maize (Zea mays) Abiotic Stress Phenotypes

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Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
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Calibrated Passive Sampling - Multi-plot Field Measurements of NH3 Emissions with a Combination of Dynamic Tube Method and Passive Samplers
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Imaging and Analysis for Quantifying Maize (Zea mays) Abiotic Stress Phenotypes
06:41

Imaging and Analysis for Quantifying Maize (Zea mays) Abiotic Stress Phenotypes

Published on: March 28, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
  • Crop Science
  • Nutrient Management

Background:

  • Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, but regulatory mechanisms for nitrogen assimilation under varying nitrogen forms are not fully understood.
  • Understanding how plants, specifically maize, manage different nitrogen sources is critical for optimizing crop productivity and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological and molecular adaptations of maize seedlings to different nitrogen (N) forms: sole nitrate (NO₃⁻), sole ammonium (NH₄⁺), and mixed N supply.
  • To examine the impact of N form substitution (NFS) on N metabolism, spatial distribution, and enzyme activities in maize.

Main Methods:

  • Maize seedlings were subjected to four N treatments: sole NO₃⁻, N form substitution (NFS) with NH₄⁺, sole NH₄⁺, and mixed N supply (NH₄NO₃).
  • Physiological parameters, N assimilation enzyme activities (NR, NiR, GS, GOGAT), and spatial/diurnal N partitioning were analyzed.
  • Biomass, photosynthesis, protein, and amino acid synthesis were quantified to assess plant responses.

Main Results:

  • NFS treatment significantly enhanced maize growth, total biomass, photosynthesis, and synthesis of proteins and amino acids under fluctuating N conditions.
  • Key N metabolism enzymes (NR, NiR, GS, GOGAT) were upregulated, facilitating efficient assimilation of both NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺.
  • NFS-treated plants demonstrated dynamic N partitioning, maintaining higher NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ levels across various tissues (leaves, roots, sheaths, ears).

Conclusions:

  • Maize exhibits robust plasticity in N metabolism and partitioning in response to N form substitution, highlighting adaptive strategies for fluctuating N availability.
  • These findings provide insights into optimizing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for sustainable crop production by understanding maize's adaptive capacity.
  • Further research across genotypes and field conditions is warranted to translate these findings into improved NUE and productivity.