ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Nitrogenous Nutrition Affects Uptake of Arsenic
and Defense Enzyme Responses in Wheat
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1
Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Plant Science and Biodiversity Center SAS , Akademická 2,
P.O.Box 39A, 950 07 Nitra, Slovakia
2
Constantine the Philosopher University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Mathematics,
Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovak Republic
3
Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava,
Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
4
Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dukelská 135, CZ-379 82 Třeboň, Czech Republic
5
University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Department of Ecochemistry and Radioecology,
J. Herdu 2, Trnava, SK-917 01, Slovak Republic
6
Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Plant Physiology,
Ilkovičova 3278/6, Bratislava, 841 04, Slovak Republic
Submission date: 2020-05-06
Final revision date: 2020-09-16
Acceptance date: 2020-09-27
Online publication date: 2021-02-04
Publication date: 2021-03-08
Corresponding author
Monika Bardáčová
Department of Ecochemistry and Radioecology, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Námestie J. Herdu 2, 917 01, Trnava, Slovak Republic
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(3):2213-2231
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ABSTRACT
Nitrogenous nutrition influences the availability of other plant resources and, consequently,
affects plant defense responses. Both a shortage and excess of N impact plants´ ability to accumulate
and survive metals/metalloids, but available data are still fragmented and often contradictory.
A series of 8 different NH4NO3 concentrations, ranging from zero to excessive nitrogen (35 mM N),
was applied in growth media to hydroponically grown wheat (Triticum aestivum). The plants were
grown at a sublethal concentration of arsenic (5 mM As3+) for 10 days and foliar accumulation of
As, N and P was determined. In addition, induction of defense-related chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase
enzyme isoforms was quantified upon the separation of plant protein extracts in polyacrylamide
gels. As3+ interfered with N and P accumulation in shoots and strongly activated several enzyme
isoforms. These responses varied with the N supply and indicated a low rate of As accumulation at
low N concentrations. On the other hand, limited As transfer to shoots was a clear benefit at high N
concentrations. Nevertheless, both extreme N concentrations restricted the growth. Several enzyme
isoforms of both chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases exerted sensitivity to As3+, N supply or both. Their
individual responses, however, contradict the generally accepted view on positive correlation between
these defense molecules and N nutrition. Impacts of interplay between As3+ toxicity and nutritional stress on wheat responses are discussed. The results might contribute to knowledge applicable in
efficient fertilization and food safety strategies.