Low Red to Far-Red Light Environment Alters Nitrogen Assimilation in Corn (Zea mays)

<p>In the absence of direct resource competition, far-red light reflected from neighbouring weeds compromises light quality (red to far-red ratio; R/FR) which inactivates phytochrome (Phy) resulting in the regulation of various physiological processes. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of low R/FR light on nitrogen assimilation in corn. To explore this, changes to the nitrogen assimilation pathway were measured in corn seedlings nine days post-emergence under low R/FR and control light conditions. The observed results indicate that nitrate levels increased and ferredoxin-dependent glutamine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activities decreased under low R/FR light, however, no other pathway enzymes were affected. Changes in the pathway appear to be PhyB-independent, as Arabidopsis phyB mutant did not change the nitrate levels compared to wild-type Arabidopsis. The research indicates the importance of mitigating early-season weed competition and offers insight into the early physiological mechanisms involved in nitrogen utilization under resource-independent competition.</p><p>This data was collected as part of William Kramer's MSc research work (see Related Publication).</p>