Effects of experimental warming on peroxidase, nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities in wheat

Abstract

"Given the effects of climate change and its significant consequences on plant productivity, it is necessary to evaluate the enzymatic responses of the most important crops such as wheat (Triticum durum L.). We examined the response of foliar peroxidase activity, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase to experimental increments of temperature (+2 °C) under field conditions following conventional agricultural practices. Foliar samples, in both control and warming treatments were taken during growth, tillering and flowering phenophases to test the peroxidase activity. Similarly, nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase activities, and glutamine content were measured during the heading phenophase. Due to the effects of experimental warming, peroxidase activity significantly increased. The nitrate reductase activity was also higher in the warming treatment, suggesting a high nitrogen metabolism efficiency. Whereas, the increase observed in the glutamine synthetase activity, and consequently the glutamine content, evidenced a biochemical signal of an early senescence due to the effect of warming."