Influência de diferentes fontes de N inorgânico na regulação da homeostase K+/Na+ e nas respostas fisiológicas de plantas de sorgo forrageiro ao estresse salino

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyze the influence of inorganic nitrogen (N) on the regulation of homeostasis K+/Na+ in sorghum plants [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], genotype CSF20, submitted to salt stress. Sorghum seeds were sown in moistened vermiculite and after four days, transferred to a nutrient solution containing N at 5.0 mM as NO3 -, NO3 - /NH4 + and NH4 + and K+ at 0.75 mM. After eight days of cultivation, the plants were treated with NaCl at 75.0 mM. Plants were harvested at twelve days (before application of stress), and thereafter at one, three, five and seven days after salt stress exposition. It was determined the growth, the concentration of ions (K+, Na+, Cl-, NO3 - and NH4 +) and organic compounds (soluble carbohydrates, reducing and non-reducing sugars, soluble protein and soluble amino acids), gas exchange and water absorption rate. Non-stressed sorghum plants grown in three N sources showed no significant differences in relation to its growth. However, there was a sharp reduction in growth when plants were subjected to salinity. The K+ contents were severely reduced by salinity, however, NO3 --grown plants as sole N source, showed the greatest reductions. Under these conditions, NH4 +-grown plants had higher rates of absorption and selective K+ transport. The salt stress increased significantly the Na+ levels in all tissues of the sorghum plants, regardless of N source, however, the highest increases were observed in plants growing in NO3 -. As a result of Na+ accumulation reduction, NH4 +-grown plants had a higher K+/Na+ ratio, particularly in shoot. In general, the Cl- levels were higher in NH4 +- grown plants, with the greatest accumulations in the roots. The shoot soluble carbohydrates were increased with salinity, however in roots, little or no effect of salt stress was observed. The reducing sugar contents in shoot and roots was increased one day after stress, however, on seventh day, the content of these sugars was reduced when compared to control, except in NH4 +-grown stressed plants, which seven day after stress exposure, had higher amount of reducing sugars than the control. The levels of reducing sugars were not reduced by salinity in the early days, however, increases were observed in the last days of NaCl exposure, regardless of source N. The starch content increased in the early days of salt stress, however, plants at seven days after stress showed less content of these sugars. Under control conditions, the soluble proteins and soluble amino acids contents were higher in NH4 +-grown plants. Already under salt stress, the soluble protein content were not affected due to the N source, however, the levels of soluble amino acids were significantly higher in NH4 +-grown plants. Reductions in stomatal conductance, transpiration and net photosynthesis were observed in NO3 - and NO3 -/NH4 +-grown stressed plants, however, there were no changes in these parameters in NH4 +-grown plants. Under control conditions, NO3 - or NO3 -/NH4 +-grown plants showed higher water absorption, however, under salinity conditions, water uptake of NO3 --grown plants was severely reduced. On the other hand, salt stress promoted increases in water uptake of NH4 +-grown plants. These results suggested that sorghum NH4 +-grown plants showed a greater tolerance to salinity, due to more efficient regulation of homeostasis K+/Na+