Nitrogenous compounds and carbohydrates in sorghum subjected to salinity and combinations of nitrate and ammonium

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of combinations of nitrate and ammonium in the medium, on the accumulation of nitrogen compounds and carbohydrates, in the presence and absence of salinity in sorghum plants. CSF 20 genotype sorghum seeds, were grown in the greenhouse and supplied with a nutritive solution at three different concentrations of nitrate and ammonium (100% NO₃^-: 0% NH₄⁺, 75% NO₃^-: 25% NH₄⁺ e 0% NO₃^-: 100% NH₄⁺) both in the presence and absence of NaCl. Salinity reduced the nitrate concentration in both leaves and stalks in treatments at 100:0 and 75:25. The accumulation of ammonium was higher in those plants, in both leaves and stalk, in the presence of NaCl. The levels of free amino acids in the leaves showed no change, whereas those in the stalk increased in the presence of salt and with the increase of ammonium. The concentration of free proline in both leaves and stalk was higher in plants under salinity. The total nitrogen content was higher in the leaves without, however, showing much change in the presence of salt. The concentration of total soluble carbohydrates was higher in those plants treated with salt, except in the stalk 0:100. Sucrose levels in the leaves were lower in the presence of NaCl and the increase in ammonium, while they were higher in the stalk at 75:25 NaCl. The starch content did not alter much with the different levels of nitrogen and salinity. It is concluded that NO^-₃ and NH₄⁺ combinations in the medium affect the accumulation of nitrogen compounds and carbohydrates in the leaves and stalks of sorghum plants, both in the presence and absence of salinity.