Atividade da enzima nitrato redutase em arroz de terras altas sob condições de estresse hídricos

Abstract

Nitrogen uptake is a vital process that controls plant growth and development, ensuring great grain yield levels. The enzyme nitrate reductase (NR) catalyzes the first enzymatic step of nitrogen uptake by higher plants by reducing nitrate (NO3-) to nitrite (NO2-). Thus, the objective was to study the activity of nitrate reductase enzyme in upland rice genotypes and to correlate it with other agronomic traits. The experiment was conducted in two distinct environments, with and without supplemental irrigation. The enzymatic activity assays were performed in the laboratory. Twenty genotypes of a VCU experiment in the 2014/2015 crop were evaluated. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three replications. The amount of nitrite released by the plant tissues in the incubation solution (µmoles NO2-gmf -1 h-1) was obtained in seven collections performed at 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, 75 and 100 days after emergence (DAE). always in the mornings, in all installments. Given the results, it was observed that the activity of NR enzyme in rice culture is dependent on genotype, plant development period and environmental conditions, being more expressive at the beginning of the crop cycle and in environments without occurrence of water stress. The activity of the RN enzyme should not be used alone for indirect selection in the productivity character in the upland rice crop, it is necessary to evaluate other characteristics that complement the selection.