The Stimulatory Effects of Nanochitin Whisker on Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism and on the Enhancement of Grain Yield and Crude Protein of Winter Wheat

Abstract

Nanochitin whisker (NC) with a cationic nature could enhance plant photosynthesis, grain yield, and quality of wheat, but have not been systematically studied. This study was designed to investigate the stimulatory effects of NC on dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation and translocation, and on the metabolism of carbon (C) and N in later growth stages of winter wheat to reveal the enhancement mechanism of grain yield and crude protein concentration. Different parts of NC-treated plants from pot grown experiments were collected at the pre- and post-anthesis stages. The accumulation, translocation, and contributions of DM and N from pre-anthesis vegetation organs to grains, as well as key metabolic enzyme activities, including sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), were examined. The results showed that, at an application rate of 6 mg·kg−1 of NC in the soil, the accumulation of DM and N were significantly enhanced by 16.2% and 38.8% in pre-anthesis, and by 15.4% and 30.0% in post-anthesis, respectively. Translocation of N and DM in the post-anthesis periods were enhanced by 38.4% and 50.9%, respectively. NC could also stimulate enzyme activities, and increased 39.8% and 57.1% in flag leaves, and by 36.0% and 58.8% in spikes, respectively, at anthesis. SPS and PEPC increased by 28.2% and 45.1% in flag leaves, and by 42.2% and 56.5% in spikes, respectively, at 15 days after anthesis. The results indicated that the NC promoted N metabolism more than C metabolism, and resulted in the enhancement of grain yield by 27.56% and of crude protein concentration in grain by 13.26%, respectively.

Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Promote the Growth of Maize (Zea mays) by Regulating Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism in Leaves

“…The NO 3 – content was positively correlated with SPS and SS, indicating that the increase of N content in maize was beneficial for improving SS and SPS activities. Moreover, The carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis are transformed into ketoacids, which are involved in the synthesis of proteins and amino acids . Significant positive correlations between PEPC and NR, and starch and soluble protein were observed, and there is a positive correlation between GS, GOGAT, and sucrose, which suggests that the increase of photosynthetic carbon fixation and carbohydrate is conducive to the efficient N metabolism.…”

High Potassium Application Rate Increased Grain Yield of Shading-Stressed Winter Wheat by Improving Photosynthesis and Photosynthate Translocation

“…The following formulas were adopted from Cheng et al (2019) for the calculation of the relevant indicators:…”

Nitrogen and Chemical Control Management Improve Yield and Quality in High-Density Planting of Maize by Promoting Root-Bleeding Sap and Nutrient Absorption

“…RuBPCase, PEPCase, NR, and GS are key enzymes involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolism in plants. In the present study, chemical control combined with N200 treatment increased RuBPCase, PEPCase, NR, and GS activities, leading to more assimilate accumulation and higher grain yield (Cheng et al, 2019 ; Yang et al, 2020 ). The plants maintained a high carbon and nitrogen metabolism and nutrient accumulation, which was the basis for assimilate accumulation in the grains.…”