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Nitrogen form and ratio impact phenolic accumulation and relative gene expression in Cyclocarya paliurus

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While providing either NH4+ or NO3− to Cyclocarya paliurus, a mixture of NO3− and NH4+ at a ratio of 7/3 results in the best combination of plant growth and leaf secondary compound production.

Abstract

Cyclocarya paliurus is a well-known multiple function tree species with leaves that have been used as medicine and nutraceutical foods based on their high content of polyphenolic secondary compounds. Understanding C. paliurus growth and phytochemical accumulation in response to different NO3−/NH4+ ratios is essential to optimize plant growth and secondary compound production. Seedlings of C. paliurus were grown in a growth chamber, and five NO3−/NH4+ ratio treatments were applied. There were significant differences in seedling growth, measured secondary metabolites, and relative gene expression among different NO3−/NH4+ ratio treatments. The highest seedling growth was achieved at the NO3−/NH4+ ratio of 50/50, while the highest induced polyphenol and flavonoid content in plants occurred at NO3−/NH4+ ratios of 100/0 and 0/100 (i.e., when a single nitrogen source was used). C. paliurus leaves were the main sites of the polyphenol and flavonoid accumulation, and the highest yields of measured phytochemicals in leaves were obtained at the NO3−/NH4+ ratio of 70/30. A sole NH4+ or NO3− nutrition promoted related gene expression of the polyphenol and flavonoid biosynthesis, while a significantly positive correlation was detected between the phytochemical contents and related gene expression levels. This study provides a basis for manipulating NO3−/NH4+ ratio to achieve the highest yields of phytochemicals in C. paliurus plantations.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project numbers: 31470637, 31270673), a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD) and the Doctorate Fellowship Foundation of Nanjing Forestry University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, People’s Republic of China

    Jian Qin, Xiliang Yue, Yan Ling, Yongsheng Zhou, Na Li, Xulan Shang & Shengzuo Fang

  2. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, People’s Republic of China

    Xulan Shang & Shengzuo Fang

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  1. Jian Qin
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  2. Xiliang Yue
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  3. Yan Ling
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  4. Yongsheng Zhou
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  6. Xulan Shang
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  7. Shengzuo Fang
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Correspondence to Shengzuo Fang.

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Qin, J., Yue, X., Ling, Y. et al. Nitrogen form and ratio impact phenolic accumulation and relative gene expression in Cyclocarya paliurus. Trees 35, 685–696 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-020-02068-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-020-02068-6

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