Effects of nitrogen stress on root radial and axial hydraulic conductivity of corn

One of important physiological mechanism of nitrogen deficiency inhibiting the shoot growth may be related with its impacts on root hydraulic conductivity Hence,effects of nitrogen deficiency on root radial and axial hydraulic conductivity of corn were studied with potometer and anatomical method respectively in this study The results indicated that nitrogen deficiency decreased root radial and axial hydraulic conductivity of corn Root radial hydraulic conductivity of nitrogen deficiency treatment was insensitive to aquaporin inhibitor HgCl2 The main reasons of the decrease of axial hydraulic conductivity under nitrogen deficiency were the decreased number of mature metaxylems and their smaller diameter