Nitrate supply decreases fermentation and alleviates oxidative and ionic stress in nitrogen-fixing soybean exposed to saline waterlogging

Abstract

Nitrate (NO3−) nutrition is known to mitigate the damages caused by individual stresses of waterlogging and salinity. Here, we investigated the role of NO3− in soybean plants exposed to these stresses in combination. Nodulated soybean cultivated under greenhouse conditions and daily fertilised with a nutrient solution without nitrogen were subjected to the following treatments: Water, NO3−, NaCl, and NaCl + NO3−. Then, plants were exposed to waterlogging (6 days) and drainage (2 days). Compared to plants exposed to isolated stress, the saline waterlogging resulted in higher concentrations of H2O2, O2˙−, and lipid peroxidation at the whole-plant level, mainly during drainage. Furthermore, saline waterlogging increased fermentation and the concentrations of Na+ and K+ in roots and leaves both during waterlogging and drainage. NO3− supplementation led to augments in NO3− and NO levels, and stimulated nitrate reductase activity in both organs. In addition, NO3− nutrition alleviated oxidative stress and fermentation besides increasing the K+/Na+ ratio in plants exposed to saline waterlogging. In conclusion, NO3− supplementation is a useful strategy to help soybean plants overcome saline waterlogging stress. These findings are of high relevance for agriculture as soybean is an important commodity and has been cultivated in areas prone to saline waterlogging.