Abstract
LIGHT plays an important role in nitrate assimilation in leaves by providing the reductants and by stimulating the synthesis of nitrate and nitrite reductases1–3. Activity of nitrate reductase is considered to be the rate-limiting step in nitrate assimilation and in the production of grains and grain proteins in crop plants4,5. It has been known for some time, however, that the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight photochemically reduces nitrate in aqueous solution to nitrite6,7. Stoy8,9 reported that ultraviolet light had a much stronger effect on nitrate assimilation in wheat leaves than light of longer wavelengths. We have observed, in experimental conditions, significant accumulation of nitrite in rice leaves exposed to sunlight, even when nitrate reductase activity was negligible, so we have investigated non-enzymatic photochemical reduction of nitrate in leaves.
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NAIK, M., SARDHAMBAL, K. & PRAKASH, S. Non-enzymatic photochemical reduction of nitrate in rice seedlings. Nature 262, 396–397 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262396a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/262396a0
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