Physiological characterization and gene expression of nitrate reductase and chalcone synthase in relation to nitrogen use efficiency in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Date

4-2009

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Cell Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Genaleen Q. Diaz

Abstract

Physiological characteristics and gene expression of nitrate reductase and chalcone synthase were determined in five varieties of tomato, namely LA1579. Arka Meghali, LA1940. CLN2498E and M82, subjected to different N fertilizer concentrations (140 ppm, 70 ppm. 35 ppm and 0 ppm). Among the different varieties, LA1940 showed no significant differences in the means of chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content, plant height, terminal leaflet length, total leaf area, leaf wet weight, root wet weight and shoot wet weight at 1% error when subjected to decreasing fertilizer treatments. A higher nitrate reductase (NR) expression was observed in plants having greater root dry weight in a non-limiting N environment. Constitutive expression of NR at low N environment did not improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, an increase in NR expression at low (but not absent) N environment due to specific physiological response (increase in root dry weight allocation) may indicate NUE. Higher expression of chalcone synthase in 0 ppm environment compared to 140 ppm was observed in varieties having higher F values for terminal leaflet length and total leaf area. The patterns of gene expression of nitrate reductase and chalcone synthase may be used in the assessment of NUE in non-limiting and limiting N environments.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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