Determining nitrogen isotopes discrimination under drought stress on enzymatic activities, nitrogen isotope abundance and water contents of Kentucky bluegrass

Abstract

AbstractDrought stress is the most pervasive threat to plant growth, which predominantly encumbers turf grass growth by causing alterations in plant functions. This study appraised the role of nitrogen isotopes in providing a theoretical basis for developing and improving Kentucky bluegrass cultivar performance under drought stress. Nitrogen isotopes labelled 15NH4Cl and K15NO3 were prepared to replace KNO3 in Hoagland’s solution at concentrations of 15NH4+ and 15NO3 at 1.5, 15, and 30 mM; the solutions were imposed on stressed plants under glasshouse conditions. Nitrogenous nutrition reduced oxidative stress by elevating the enzymatic activities and proline contents of all three clonal ramet leaves, particularly under stress conditions. Apart from nitrogen content, nitrogen isotope abundance, relative water content and water potential within controls were enhanced in treated with 15NH4+ than in with 15NO3 in both the roots and leaves of Kentucky bluegrass. Nevertheless, an application of 15NH4Cl and K15NO3 at 30 mM had a positive influence to some extent on these attributes under drought stress. Overall, our results suggested that nitrogen isotopes contributed to drought tolerance in all three clonal ramets of Kentucky bluegrass by maintaining a better osmoprotectant and antioxidant defence system, which helped the plants eliminate reactive oxygen species.