Response of stem carbohydrates and cell wall components to different nitrogen sources in drought-stressed alfalfa plants.

MARIA LAURA FIASCONARO; YOLANDA GOGORCENA; MA CARMEN ANTOLÍN; MANUEL SÁNCHEZ-DÍAZ

Sevilla

Simposio; XI Simposio Hispano-Portugués de Relaciones Hídricas en las Plantas.; 2012

Symbiotic association of legumes with rhizobia frequently results in higher photosynthesis and soluble carbohydrates in comparison with nitrate-fed plants, which might improve its potential for biomass conversion into bioethanol. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effects of nitrogen source and water availability on stem carbohydrates and cell wall composition in alfalfa subjected to drought. Under well-watered conditions, nitrogen-fixing plants have increased stem fermentable carbohydrate concentrations, which result in higher potential for biomass conversion to bioethanol than in nitrate-fed plants. Drought-stressed nitrogen-fixing plants have high concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates and cell wall cellulose, but ammonium nitrate-fed plants produced higher plant and stem biomass.