Iron deficiency affects nitrogen metabolism in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants

摘要

BackgroundNitrogen is a principal limiting nutrient in plant growth and development. Among factors that may limit NO3^- assimilation, Fe potentially plays a crucial role being a metal cofactor of enzymes of the reductive assimilatory pathway. Very few information is available about the changes of nitrogen metabolism occurring under Fe deficiency in Strategy I plants. The aim of this work was to study how cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants modify their nitrogen metabolism when grown under iron deficiency.