Abstract
The main objective of this 2-year study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen resources (nitrogen-free, NO3−, NH4+, and NH4NO3 each 150% in modified Hoagland solution) and plant growth regulators (PGR-free (6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP, 200 µM), 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 200 µM) and BAP + NAA each one 200 µM) on the absorption and transmission of elements from root to leaves and also study the biosynthesis of steviol glycosides in stevia leaves. The results demonstrated that the highest absorption of nutrient elements including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium was observed in the plant cultivated under NO3− and NAA treatment. However, the combination of NH4NO3 and BAP significantly increased the steviol glycosides more than that of other treatments. This suggests that stevia requires low amounts of nutrient uptake for the biosynthesis of steviol glycosides. The results also showed that the levels of free carbohydrate and starch were increased in root and leaf under NO3− and with BAP + NAA treatments. An increase in free carbohydrate biosynthesis and transferring it to the root is completely vital to prevent sodium uptake and assist in the absorption of essential nutrients. These results suggest that the application of NO3− could increase the nutrient uptake whereas the optimal uptake of the essential elements and the highest amounts of steviol glycosides occur in the treatment of NH4NO3 along with BAP.
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This work was supported by grants from the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII) (Grant No. 12-05-05-029-95027-950755).
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Tavakoli Hasanaklou, H., Ebadi Khazineh Ghadim, A., Moradi, F. et al. The Effects of NH4+ and NO3− and Plant Growth Regulators on the Accumulation of Nutrients, Carbohydrates and Secondary Metabolites of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. Sugar Tech 23, 65–76 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-020-00875-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-020-00875-2