Exogenous Ca²⁺ alleviates nitrogen and water deficit, and improves growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings exposed to high temperature

Author： Wang Zhi-Qiang Ma Zong-Bin Wang Chun-Li Lin Tong-Bao

Publisher： Springer Publishing Company

ISSN： 0167-6903

Source： Plant Growth Regulation, Vol.61, Iss.3, 2010-07, pp. : 223-229

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Abstract

This study was designed to examine whether exogenous Ca²⁺ would improve nitrogen nutrition, water status and growth of high temperature (HT)-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings. Wheat plants were exposed to 35/30 and 25/20°C as temperature control. Some of HT-stressed plants were simultaneously treated with 4 mM Ca²⁺. External Ca²⁺ could obviously improve growth of HT-exposed wheat seedlings indicated by the biomass. Compared with Ca²⁺-untreated plants, total nitrogen content showed a significant increase in Ca²⁺-treated plants under HT stress, this primarily resulted from enhanced nitrate reductase activity and depressed loss of ammonium through photorespiration. External Ca²⁺ application could also increase leaf relative water content and alleviate osmotic stress via increased K⁺ ion and water-soluble carbohydrates in HT-stressed plants. Whereas free proline content showed remarkable decline in Ca²⁺-treated plants at HT stress.