Low Red to Far-Red Light Environment Alters Nitrogen Assimilation in Corn (Zea mays)

The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of low R/FR light on nitrogen assimilation in corn. To explore this, changes to the nitrogen assimilation pathway were measured in corn seedlings nine days post-emergence under low R/FR and control light conditions.

The observed results indicate that nitrate levels increased and ferredoxin-dependent glutamine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activities decreased under low R/FR light, however, no other pathway enzymes were affected. Changes in the pathway appear to be PhyB-independent, as Arabidopsis phyB mutant did not change the nitrate levels compared to wild-type Arabidopsis. The research indicates the importance of mitigating early-season weed competition and offers insight into the early physiological mechanisms involved in nitrogen utilization under resource-independent competition.