Mineral N, Macro Elements Uptake and Physiological Parameters in Tomato Plants Affected by Different Nitrate Levels

The aim of this study was to know whether leaf nitrate can be a substitute of total leaf N to justify plant N status and how nitrate influences macro elements uptake and physiological parameters of tomato plants under different nitrogen levels. Leaf nitrate content decreased in low N, while showed similar value with the control in high N, ranging from 55 to 70 mg g-¹. Differences in nitrate supply led to nitrate-dependent increases in macro elements, particularly cations, while gradual decrease in P. Physiological parameters, photosynthesis rates and antioxidants, greatly responded in N deficient conditions rather than high N, which didn't show any significant differences compared the control. Considering nitrogen forms and physiological parameters, total-N in tomato plants represented positive relation with growth (shoot dry weight), nitrate and CO₂ assimilation, whereas negative relation with lipid peroxidation.