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Adaptation of cucumber seedlings to low temperature stress by reducing nitrate to ammonium during it’s transportation

BMC Plant Biology volume 21, Article number: 189 (2021) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Low temperature severely depresses the uptake, translocation from the root to the shoot, and metabolism of nitrate and ammonium in thermophilic plants such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Plant growth is inhibited accordingly. However, the availability of information on the effects of low temperature on nitrogen transport remains limited.

Results

Using non-invasive micro-test technology, the net nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) fluxes in the root hair zone and vascular bundles of the primary root, stem, petiole, midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip of cucumber seedlings under normal temperature (NT; 26 °C) and low temperature (LT; 8 °C) treatment were analyzed. Under LT treatment, the net NO3− flux rate in the root hair zone and vascular bundles of cucumber seedlings decreased, whereas the net NH4+ flux rate in vascular bundles of the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip increased. Accordingly, the relative expression of CsNRT1.4a in the petiole and midrib was down-regulated, whereas the expression of CsAMT1.2a–1.2c in the midrib was up-regulated. The results of 15N isotope tracing showed that NO3−-N and NH4+-N uptake of the seedlings under LT treatment decreased significantly compared with that under NT treatment, and the concentration and proportion of both NO3−-N and NH4+-N distributed in the shoot decreased. Under LT treatment, the actual nitrate reductase activity (NRAact) in the root did not change significantly, whereas NRAact in the stem and petiole increased by 113.2 and 96.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

The higher net NH4+ flux rate in leaves and young tissues may reflect the higher NRAact in the stem and petiole, which may result in a higher proportion of NO3− being reduced to NH4+ during the upward transportation of NO3−. The results contribute to an improved understanding of the mechanism of changes in nitrate transportation in plants in response to low-temperature stress.

Background

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop worldwide and a model plant system for studying sex determination and vascular biology [1]. It is native to the tropics and is sensitive to low temperature [2]. Cucumber is widely cultivated in greenhouses in northern China during the winter and spring seasons. Low temperature is a crucial environmental factor that limits the development and productivity of cucumber crops [3].

Nitrogen (N) is the mineral nutrient required in the highest amount by plants [4]. It is crucial for the biosynthesis of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids [5]. Nitrogen contributes approximately 2% of plant dry matter and exerts the greatest nutrient influence (up to 50%) on the growth and yield of plants [6, 7]. The absorption and utilization of N by plants under normal temperatures have been clarified. Plant roots absorb N primarily as nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+), especially as NO3− for terrestrial plants [8]. The NO3− absorbed by plants is first reduced to NH4+ before it can be metabolized. This reduction is catalyzed by nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) [9]. Of these enzymes, NR is considered to be the rate-limiting step in N assimilation [10]. Activity of NR and NiR can be detected in many plant organs (e.g., the root, stem, cotyledon, inflorescence stalk, flower, petiole, and leaf) [11,12,13,14].

The absorption and transportation of NO3− and NH4+ in plants is mediated by nitrate transporters (NRTs) and ammonium transporters (AMTs), respectively [15]. Four families of nitrate-transporting proteins have been identified to date: nitrate transporter 1 family (NRT1), nitrate transporter 2 family (NRT2), chloride channel family (CLC), and slow anion channel-associated homologs (SLAC1/SLAH) [16]. The ammonium transporter gene family of vascular plants consists of two clades, comprising AMTs and methylammonium permeases (MEPs) [17]. The regulation of NO3− uptake and transport is often highly correlated with changes in expression of relevant transporter genes [18, 19].

The uptake of inorganic N forms is favored by warm temperatures, especially NO3− uptake [20]. In many crop species, particularly those originating from tropical and subtropical regions, low temperature restricts the uptake capacity of the root and distribution of NO3− and NH4+ in the shoot and, consequently, plant growth and metabolism are inhibited [21,22,23]. Furthermore, reduction in temperature decreases N translocation more strongly than uptake and, as a result, the N concentration in the root increases [24]. However, previous studies mainly focused on the changes in physiological characteristics under low temperature. Hence the molecular mechanism of these phenomena remains unclear. Limited information is available on the adaptation of NO3− and NH4+ transport in vascular bundles under low-temperature stress.

The use of stable N isotopes has typically been the most important method in the study of N absorption and transportation, but only enables monitoring of N absorption and distribution within a certain period. It is difficult to monitor the dynamic transport of N. No effective technology to study N transport under low temperature has previously existed. In recent years, non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT) has provided a novel means to detect ion velocity in living plant tissues [25]. The development and application of NO3− and NH4+ sensors for NMT provide convenience for intuitive detection of net NO3− and NH4+ flow rates [26, 27]. The purpose of the present study was to study the effects of low temperature on the absorption and transportation of NO3− and NH4+, treating the plant as a whole using NMT technology, in combination with 15N isotope tracing and quantitative reverse transcription–PCR (qRT-PCR) technology.

We observed that low temperature reduced the net NO3− flux rate in the root hair zone and vascular bundles of cucumber seedlings, whereas the net NH4+ flux rate was enhanced in vascular bundles of the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip. To further understand the regulation of N transportation by low temperature, the uptake and distribution of 15N-NO3− and 15N-NH4+, NR and NiR activities and gene expression, and relative expression of CsNRT and CsAMT were measured under normal temperature (NT) and low temperature (LT) treatments. The results will aid in understanding the adaptability of inorganic N transport in thermophilic plants to low-temperature stress.

Results

Net NO3 − and NH4 + flux rates

First, we observed that LT (8 °C) treatment significantly depressed the net NO3− flux rate in the root hair zone and in the vascular bundles of other organs of cucumber seedlings. Compared with NT (26 °C) treatment, the net NO3− influx rate in the root hair zone and the net NO3− efflux rate in the vascular bundles of the primary root, stem, petiole, midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip under LT treatment decreased significantly (Fig. 1), indicating that the uptake and upward transport of NO3− was significantly inhibited by low temperature.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Effects of low temperature on net NO3− fluxes of cucumber seedlings. The net NO3− flux rate in the root hair zone (A), and vascular bundles of the primary root (C), stem (E), petiole (G), midrib (I), lateral vein (K), and shoot tip (M). The average NO3− flux rate in the root hair zone (B), and vascular bundles of the primary root (D), stem (F), petiole (H), midrib (J), lateral vein (L), and shoot tip (N). Steady-state fluxes of NO3− and NH4+ were examined by continuous flux recording for 10 min (n = 5). Different lower-case letters indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05)

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Compared with the net NO3− flux rate, the change in net NH4+ flux rate under LT treatment was different. The net NH4+ flux rate in the root hair zone and vascular bundles of the primary root, stem, and petiole of cucumber seedlings under LT treatment decreased significantly compared with those under NT treatment. In contrast, the net NH4+ flux rate in the vascular bundles of the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip increased significantly (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Effects of low temperature on net NH4+ fluxes of cucumber seedlings. The net NH4+ flux rate in the root hair zone (A), and vascular bundles of the primary root (C), stem (E), petiole (G), midrib (I), lateral vein (K), and shoot tip (M). The average NH4+ flux rate in the root hair zone (B), and vascular bundles of the primary root (D), stem (F), petiole (H), midrib (J), lateral vein (L), and shoot tip (N). Steady-state fluxes of NO3− and NH4+ were examined by continuous flux recording for 10 min (n = 5). Different lower-case letters indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05)

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Compared with the net NO3− flux rate, the net NH4+ flux rate at the detection sites was markedly lower under NT treatment, but significantly higher in the lateral vein and shoot tip under LT treatment. These results indicated that the inhibition of net NO3− flux rate at low temperature was more severe than the effect on net NH4+ flux rate.

Nitrogen uptake per plant, N concentration, and N distribution in different organs

The effects of low temperature on the uptake and distribution of NO3−-N and NH4+-N in cucumber seedlings were further explored using an isotope tracer method. Compared with NT treatment, NO3−-N, NH4+-N, and total N uptake per plant under LT treatment decreased significantly (Table 1). These effects were consistent with the change in net NO3− and NH4+ flux rates in the root hair zone under LT treatment (Figs. 1 and 2). Under LT treatment, the ratio of NO3−-N to total N decreased significantly, whereas the ratio of NH4+-N to total N increased significantly, compared with those under NT treatment. This result indicated that, compared with NH4+-N uptake, low temperature inhibited NO3−-N uptake more severely.

Table 1 NO3−-N, NH4+-N, and total N uptake per cucumber seedling exposed to 26 °C or 8 °C for 5 h
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Under NT treatment, the NO3−-N concentrations at the detection sites of cucumber seedlings were significantly higher than NH4+-N concentrations (Fig. 3), indicating that NO3−-N is the predominant form of N used by cucumber seedlings. Compared with those under NT treatment, the NO3−-N and NH4+-N concentrations in different organs under LT treatment decreased significantly. Low temperature led to a smaller decrease in NH4+-N concentrations compared with that for NO3−-N concentrations. This result was consistent with Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Effects of low temperature on NO3−-N and NH4+-N concentrations in cucumber seedlings. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean (n = 3). Different lower-case letters indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05)

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Exposure of cucumber seedlings to low temperature resulted in a significant increase in not only NO3−-N but also NH4+-N distribution proportion in the root (Fig. 4). Thus, LT treatment significantly reduced the distribution proportion of NO3−-N and NH4+-N in the shoot. This finding indicated that low temperature inhibited the transportation of NO3− and NH4+ from the root to the shoot, and resulted in N accumulation in the root. Under LT treatment, the distribution proportion of NO3−-N and NH4+-N in all aerial organs decreased, except for the NH4+-N distribution proportion in the stem.

Fig. 4
figure 4

Effects of low temperature on NO3−-N (A) and NH4+-N (B) distribution in cucumber seedlings. The values are means (n = 3)

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Expression of CsNRT and CsAMT genes in the petiole and midrib

To investigate the response of CsNRT and CsAMT genes in cucumber seedlings to low temperature, the relative expression of 34 genes was quantified. Exposure to low temperature decreased expression of CsNRT1.4a in the petiole and midrib significantly, whereas the expression levels of CsAMT1.2a, CsAMT1.2b, and CsAMT1.2c were significantly enhanced in the midrib (Fig. 5). Thus, the expression of these genes may be strongly associated with NO3− and NH4+ transport in the petiole and midrib. Compared with those under NT treatment, the expression levels of CsNRT1.1, CsNRT1.3, CsNRT1.7, CsNRT1.8, CsCLCa, and CsCLCe in the petiole and midrib, and that of CsNRT1.2b in the midrib were up-regulated. Therefore, these genes were not indicated to play crucial roles in nitrate transport in the petiole and midrib.

Fig. 5
figure 5

Effect of low temperature on expression levels of NRT and AMT family genes in cucumber seedlings. (A) Expression profiles of CsNRT genes. (B) Expression profiles of CsCLC and CsAMT genes. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean (n = 3). Different lower-case letters indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05)

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The relative expression of CsNRT1.2a, CsNRT1.5a, CsNRT1.10, CsCLCc, CsCLCd, CsAMT2, and CsAMT3.3 in the petiole and midrib, and those of CsNRT1.2b, CsNRT1.4a, CsNRT1.4b, CsCLCa, CsCLCb, CsAMT1.2a, and CsAMT1.2b in the petiole were not significantly affected by LT treatment. The relative expression levels of CsNRT1.2c, CsNRT1.5b, CsNRT1.5c, CsNRT1.9, CsSLAH1–4, CsCLCf, CsCLCg, CsAMT1.1a, and CsAMT1.1b in the petiole and midrib under the NT and LT treatments were substantially lower than those of the genes shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, data on their relative expression levels are not presented.

Activities of NR and NiR, and expression of CsNR and CsNiR genes

The enzymes NR and NiR catalyze the nitrate-to-nitrite and nitrite-to-ammonium reduction processes, respectively, in plants [10, 28]. The NRAmax reflects the maximum amount of enzyme protein indirectly and NRAact indicates actual NR activity in situ [29]. After LT treatment for 5 h, NRAmax in the root decreased significantly, whereas that in the stem, petiole, and midrib increased significantly, compared with that under NT treatment (Fig. 6A). No significant difference in NRAmax in the blade was observed between the two treatments. Compared with that under NT treatment, NRAact in the stem and petiole increased significantly, whereas that in the midrib and blade decreased significantly under LT treatment (Fig. 6B). No significant difference in NRAact in the root was observed between the NT and LT treatments. The NiR activity in the root, stem, petiole, and blade was not significantly decreased by LT treatment, except for the midrib (Fig. 6C).

Fig. 6
figure 6

Effect of low temperature on nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) activities of cucumber seedlings. (A) NRAmax, the maximum activity of nitrate reductase; (B) NRAact, the actual activity of nitrate reductase; (C) NiR activity, the activity of nitrite reductase. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean (n = 3). Different lower-case letters indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05)

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The C. sativus genome contains three NR family genes (CsNR1, CsNR2, and CsNR3) according to Reda et al. [30]. Compared with that under NT treatment, expression of CsNR1 in the root, stem, petiole, and midrib was down-regulated under LT treatment, whereas no significant difference in relative expression of CsNR1 in the blade was observed between the NT and LT treatments (Fig. 7A). Under LT treatment, expression of CsNR2 in the leaf (including the petiole, midrib, and blade) was up-regulated, whereas expression of CsNR2 in the root decreased, compared with that under NT treatment (Fig. 7B). No significant difference in CsNR2 expression in the stem was observed between the LT and NT treatments. Compared with that under NT treatment, expression of CsNR3 in the root, stem, petiole, and midrib under LT treatment was up-regulated (Fig. 7C). The relative expression of CsNR1 in the root was substantially higher than that in other organs under the NT and LT treatments (Fig. 7A). The relative expression of CsNR2 in the leaf was higher than that in the root and stem (Fig. 7B). Similar to CsNR2, a high expression level for CsNR3 was observed in the midrib, and especially in the blade, under the NT and LT treatments. The results presented in Figs. 6A and 7A, B, C suggested that CsNR1 may be the dominant NR gene expressed in the root, and that CsNR3 may be the dominant NR gene expressed in the leaf. CsNR2 and CsNR3 may play a leading role together in the stem and petiole.

Fig. 7
figure 7

Effect of low temperature on relative expression of CsNR genes and CsNiR of cucumber seedlings. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean (n = 3). Different lower-case letters indicate a significant difference (P < 0.05)

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Compared with CsNR genes, the differences in relative expression levels of CsNiR among different organs were small (Fig. 7D). The LT treatment enhanced the expression of CsNiR in the petiole, midrib, and blade to a certain extent. The highest expression level of CsNiR was observed in the root in both NT and LT treatments, but its expression was not affected significantly by low temperature.

Discussion

Low temperature inhibited NO3 − and NH4 + uptake and upward transportation, but increased net NH4 + efflux rate in the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip of cucumber seedlings

Hessini et al. [31] reported that cucumber preferentially absorbs NO3−-N rather than NH4+-N as the compound N source under normal environmental conditions. The present results confirmed that under NT treatment, NO3−-N was the main N form used by cucumber seedlings. Previous studies have shown that the effects of low temperature on the uptake of NO3−-N and NH4+-N are different. Root temperature affects the kinetic parameters of NO3− uptake more than those of NH4+ uptake in Ceratonia siliqua [32]. For barley, Q10 temperature coefficients for NO3− are higher than those for NH4+ [33]. Under low temperature the NO3− uptake in Secale cereale and Brassica napus is reduced [34]. The current results showed that, compared with cucumber seedlings grown under 26 °C, the NO3−-N and NH4+-N absorbed by cucumber seedlings under low temperature (8 °C) decreased significantly, especially NO3− (Table 1), indicating that the inhibition of low temperature on NO3− uptake was greater than that of NH4+ uptake. This may be because uptake of NO3− is energy dependent [35]. The energy requirements for absorption and assimilation of NO3− are several-fold higher than those of NH4+ [36]. With the occurrence of low-temperature stress, the energy absorbed and utilized by leaves decreased significantly [37]. Thus, under LT treatment, the uptake of NO3− by roots would be severely inhibited as a result of energy limitation.

The transport of NO3− is induced by NO3− itself and promoted by photosynthesis [38]. Under low temperature the xylem sap transport in cucumber is reduced severely [39]. Laine et al. [34] reported that low temperature decreases xylem N translocation and results in N accumulation in the roots of Secale cereale and Brassica napus. The present results confirmed that low temperature not only inhibited uptake of NO3−-N and NH4+-N, but also inhibited their upward transportation. The degree of inhibition of NO3−-N upward transportation was almost identical to that of NH4+-N under low temperature. Recently, Anwar et al. [23] reported that low temperature reduces N content in roots of cucumber seedlings, but does not significantly reduce N content in the shoot. This conflict may be due to the different detection methods used. The total N contents were detected by Anwar et al. [23], whereas the 15N concentrations were detected in the present experiment.

The net NO3− and NH4+ flux rates detected by NMT showed that, compared with NT treatment, the change in net NO3−/NH4+ flux rate in the stem and petiole under LT treatment differed from that in the leaf vein and shoot tip. In contrast to the change in net NO3− flux rate, the net NH4+ flux rate in the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip was increased by LT treatment (Figs. 1 and 2). This result was inconsistent with the uptake and distribution of 15N-NH4+ in the leaf and shoot tip (Table 1, Figs. 3 and 4). We selected the petiole and midrib as target tissues to study the effect of low temperature on the relative expression of nitrate and ammonium transporter genes.

Nitrate uptake by plants is regulated by transcriptional regulation [40]. Two environmental factors, temperature and nutrient concentration, significantly influence the expression of nutrient transporter genes [41]. However, few studies have examined the function of cucumber N transporters to date [42,43,44]. Little information on the regulatory pathways involved in the effect of low temperature on the expression of N transporter genes in cucumber has been reported. Among nitrate transporters, NRT1.1 (NPF6.3) is regarded to be a dual-affinity nitrate transporter that participates in nitrate absorption and transport [45, 46]. The present results showed that CsNRT1.1 may not be the dominant gene involved in nitrate transportation in the petiole and midrib of cucumber. In Arabidopsis AtNRT1.8 is associated with stress-induced NO3− redistribution [47]. Under LT treatment, the relative expression of CsNRT1.8 was up-regulated in the petiole and midrib. This response may allow an increase in nitrate transportation to the root, thus reducing the net ion flux rate in the petiole and midrib. In Arabidopsis AtNRT1.4 and AtNRT1.7 are responsible for nitrate transport to the petiole and leaf [48, 49]. We identified two homologs of AtNRT1.4 in cucumber, CsNRT1.4a and CsNRT1.4b. Compared with that under NT treatment, the expression of CsNRT1.4a in the petiole and midrib under LT treatment was down-regulated, whereas the expression of CsNRT1.4b was up-regulated. The different responses in relative expression level of these genes to low temperature may reflect their different functions. CsNRT1.7 is involved in NO3− recycling in cucumber [42]. Under low temperature CsNRT1.7 in the petiole and midrib was up-regulated. This response may reduce NO3− upward transport to the leaves to some extent. AtClCa and AtCLCe are critical for nitrate transport into vacuoles in Arabidopsis [50, 51]. In the present experiment, the relative expression levels of CsCLCa and CsCLCe in the petiole and midrib of cucumber seedlings were up-regulated by low temperature. This response may lead to increased nitrate storage in vacuoles under low temperature. The AMT1 subfamily of Arabidopsis plays an important role in the stage of NH4+ absorption [52]. The MEP subfamily (AtAMT2) may play a role in the transport of NH4+ from the apoplast to the symplast [53]. In the present experiment, up-regulation of CsAMT1.2a–1.2c in the midrib may have contributed to the higher net NH4+ flux rate under low temperature.

Under low temperature a higher proportion of NO3 − was reduced to NH4 + during its transportation in the stem and petiole

Under low temperature, although the total amount of NO3−-N and NH4+-N absorbed by cucumber seedlings and transported from the root to the shoot decreased, the net NH4+ flux rate increased in the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip. To elucidate the mechanism responsible, the morphological changes in N during the transport process were studied.

Nitrate reductase is the key rate-limiting enzyme in nitrate reduction [10]. In higher plants the activity of NR is regulated at the phosphorylation and transcriptional levels [54]. Under low temperature, NRAmax in the root decreased, whereas NRAact did not change significantly, which indicated that low temperature reduced the amount of enzyme protein but had no significant effect on the apparent activity of the enzyme (Fig. 6). Therefore, the amount of NR protein may be redundant in the root. The NRAact and NRAmax in the stem and petiole increased significantly, which indicated that the change in enzyme protein content was consistent with the change in enzyme apparent activity, and NRAact in the stem and petiole was predominantly regulated by low temperature at the transcriptional level. Compared with those under NT treatment, NRAmax in the midrib and blade under low temperature did not decrease, whereas NRAact decreased significantly in the midrib and blade. This response indicated that the effect of low temperature on NRAact in the midrib and blade may be predominantly through protein phosphorylation. Overall, low temperature had no effect on NRAact in the root, but significantly increased NRAact in the stem and petiole of cucumber seedlings. These changes may account for the increased proportion of NO3− reduced to NH4+ during its transportation in the stem and petiole.

The qRT-PCR analysis of NR gene expression and NRAmax analysis indicated that CsNR1 and CsNR3 may be the dominant NR gene in the root and leaf, respectively, of cucumber seedlings (Figs. 6A, 7A, C).

Biological significance of the increase in net NH4 + fluxes in vigorously growing tissues under low temperature

Plants transfer nutrients to young tissues and seeds under unsuitable environmental conditions [55]. This process has been an important adaptive strategy during terrestrial plant evolution. In the present experiment, although the uptake and upward transportation of NH4+ decreased under low temperature, the net NH4+ flux rate in the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip increased significantly. This response may be due to the transformation of NO3− during transportation. A greater proportion of NO3− was reduced to NH4+ during the upward transportation of NO3− under low temperature. The energy consumption during the N transportation process was reduced accordingly. This strategy may be an adaptation of plant N transport to the decrease in energy supply under low-temperature stress. According to Han et al. [56], under low-temperature stress, the NO3−-N content and NR activities in tomato leaves significantly decrease, whereas the NH4+-N content significantly increases. Under drought stress, NH4+ nutrition can limit the effect of water deficit by osmotic adjustment and thereby limit oxidative damage [57]. Therefore, assuming that NH4+ plays a role in the prevention of stress-induced peroxidation, the increase in NH4+ content in leaves and young tissues is not only beneficial for utilization of N nutrition, but also improves the stress tolerance of the plant.

The predominant N sources of cucumber are NO3−-N and NH4+-N. Compared with a single NO3−-N source or a single NH4+-N source, a compound N source is more conducive to N absorption and plant growth [31]. Plant preference for NO3−-N or NH4+-N is associated with species and is influenced by environmental conditions and growth stage [58,59,60]. Kant [61] considered that improvement of nitrate uptake and transport would enhance plant growth, resulting in improved crop yields. In the future, further in-depth research on nitrate and ammonium transport in the roots of cucumber seedlings and research on enhancing the N nutrition status of plants by improving the ratio of NO3−-N to NH4+-N under low temperature is required.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence that cucumber seedlings reduce a greater proportion of NO3− to NH4+ during the process of upward transport of NO3− under low temperature. This action may reduce the dependence of N transport on energy and enable plants to adapt to the decrease in energy supply under low-temperature stress. Compared with NO3−, the absorption of NH4+-N and net NH4+ flux rate in the root hair zone, vascular bundles of the primary root, and the stem is less inhibited by low temperature (Fig. 8). Under low temperature, the net NH4+ flux rate in vascular bundles of the midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip is increased, which is the opposite response to that of net NO3− flux rate. In line with these responses, under low temperature, the relative expression of CsNRT1.4a in the petiole and midrib is down-regulated, whereas the expression of CsAMT1.2a–1.2c in the midrib is up-regulated. The NRAact in the stem and petiole increases significantly, which is predominantly regulated at the transcriptional level by low temperature. Given the importance of cucumber as a greenhouse vegetable crop, this study enhances understanding of the low-temperature tolerance of a thermophilic plant and contributes to improved winter cultivation techniques of tender vegetables in a greenhouse.

Fig. 8
figure 8

Regulation of low temperature on net NO3− and NH4+ flux rates in cucumber seedlings. The color of the arrows indicates the changes in relevant indicators: pink indicates increase, and blue indicates decrease. The thickness of the arrows indicates the degree of increase or decrease

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Methods

Plant materials and growth conditions

All experiments in this study were conducted in controlled-environment chambers (Memmert ICH L260). Seeds of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) ‘Xintai Mici’ (China Vegetable Seed Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) were incubated in the dark until germination at 28 °C. The seedlings were grown in a vermiculite–sand mixture (1:2, v/v) and supplied with half-strength modified Hoagland’s nutrient solution at 26 °C/17 °C (day/night) [26]. The photosynthetic photon flux density, photoperiod, and relative humidity (RH) were 350 μmol·m− 2·s− 1, 12 h/12 h (light/dark), and 70–80%, respectively. When the cotyledons of the seedlings were fully expanded, the seedlings were supplied with full-strength modified Hoagland’s nutrient solution (pH 6.0) containing 4 mM Ca (NO3)2, 5 mM KNO3, 1 mM NH4NO3, 1 mM KH2PO4, 2 mM MgSO4·7H2O, 40 μM EDTA-Fe, 4 μM H3BO3, 2 μM MnSO4·4H2O, 2 μM ZnSO4·7H2O, 1 μM CuSO4·5H2O, and 0.5 μM (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O. When the second leaves were fully expanded, the seedlings were used for the following experiments. In all experiments performed in this study, low temperature was set to 8 °C in accordance with Lee et al. [62].

Experiment 1: effect of low temperature on the net fluxes of NO3 − and NH4 +, activities of NR and NiR, and gene expression in cucumber seedlings

The seedlings were divided into two groups and exposed to either normal temperature (NT; 26 °C) or low temperature (LT; 8 °C) for 5 h. During treatment, the light intensity and RH were identical to the seedling growth conditions. After treatment, the seedlings were harvested for physiological and genetic analyses.

Experiment 2: effect of low temperature on the uptake of NO3 −-N and NH4 +-N in cucumber seedlings

Uptake of NO3−-N and NH4+-N was measured in accordance with the method described by Garnett et al. [63] with some modifications. Briefly, the seedlings were transplanted into rectangular hydroponic containers and supplied with full-strength modified Hoagland’s nutrient solution 1 d prior to analysis. The containers were supplied with air bubblers to ensure adequate oxygen supply. On sampling days, plants were transferred to the same solution supplemented with 15N-labeled NO3− or NH4+. The treatments were as follows:

  1. (1)

    NT: 26 °C 15N-labeled NO3− (15N 25%)

  2. (2)

    LT: 8 °C 15N-labeled NO3− (15N 25%)

  3. (3)

    NT: 26 °C 15N-labeled NH4+ (15N 100%)

  4. (4)

    LT: 8 °C 15N-labeled NH4+ (15N 100%)

After exposure for 5 h, the seedlings were harvested for the determination of 15N-NO3− and 5N-NH4+ contents.

Measurement of net NO3 − and NH4 + fluxes

The net NO3− and NH4+ fluxes were measured at the YoungerUSA Xuyue (Beijing) BioFunction Institute using a NMT system (NMT100 Series, YoungerUSA, LLC, Amherst, MA, USA; Xuyue (Beijing) Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) and imFluxes V2.0 software (YoungerUSA, LLC). The method followed that of Lei et al. [64] with some modifications. The root sample was excised about 2 cm from the apex. The primary root, stem, petiole, midrib, lateral vein, and shoot tip were sampled at the positions indicated in Fig. 9. A seedling was only used once. The sample was fixed with a belt. The transverse section of each sampled organ was immediately incubated in the measuring solution (1.625 mM Ca (NO3)2, 0.25 mM NH4NO3, 0.1 mM MgSO4, and 0.3 mM MES; pH 6.0) to equilibrate for 15 min because a rapid and large efflux of NO3− and NH4+ occurred after the samples were excised. The flux rate gradually decreased and stabilized within 15 min. The solution was then sucked out and fresh measuring solution was injected. Uptake of NO3− and NH4+ was measured in the root hair zone (Figs. S1, S2). Transport of NO3− and NH4+ was measured in the transverse sections of the organs. The microsensor was fixed at the center of the vascular bundle (Figs. S2, S3). The excised sections were incubated in the measuring solution throughout the experiment.

Fig. 9
figure 9

Location of samples from cucumber seedlings used for NMT measurement. a Root hair zone (the measurement site was 1500 μm from the first root hairs at the root apex, selected based on Additional file 3), b primary root, c stem, d petiole, e midrib, f lateral vein, g shoot tip

Full size image

A pre-pulled and silanized microsensor (Φ4.5 ± 0.5 μm, XY-CGQ-01, YoungerUSA) was first filled with a backfilling solution (NO3−: 10 mM KNO3; NH4+: 100 mM NH4Cl) to a length of approximately 1.0 cm from the tip. The micropipettes were front-filled with 50–80 μm columns of selective liquid ion-exchange cocktails (NO3−: NO3− LIX, XY-SJ-NO3; NH4+: LIX, XY-SJ-NH4+; YoungerUSA). An Ag/AgCl wire microsensor holder (YG003-Y11, YoungerUSA) was inserted in the back of the microsensor to make electrical contact with the electrolyte solution. The microsensor holder was used as the reference microsensor. The microsensor was calibrated before and after flux measurements with culture media that differed in concentrations of NO3− and NH4+ (NO3−: 5.0 mM and 0.5 mM; NH4+: 0.5 mM and 0.1 mM). Only a microsensor with an absolute value of the Nernstian slope > 50 mV decade− 1 was used. Data were discarded if the post-test calibrations failed. The net NO3− and NH4+ fluxes were calculated using JCal V3.3 software (a free MS Excel spreadsheet; YoungerUSA, LLC).

Measurement of NO3 −-N and NH4 +-N uptake

After treatment for 5 h, roots of the seedlings in Experiment 2 were rinsed for 2 min in identical, unlabeled modified Hoagland’s nutrient solution. The root surface was dried with absorbent paper. In addition, the root, stem, cotyledon, first petiole, first blade, second petiole, second blade, and shoot tip were sampled, respectively. All samples were defoliated at 105 °C and dried to constant weight at 55 °C. The fresh weight, dry weight, and water content of the samples were determined in accordance with Oliviero et al. [65]. The samples were ground to a fine powder. Total N and 15N contents were measured by means of continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectroscopy using a vario PYRO cube elemental analyzer coupled to an IsoPrime 100 isotope-ratio mass spectrometer [66]. During the analysis process, 12 samples were interspersed with a laboratory sample for correction.

Detection of NR and NiR activities

Measurement of NR activity

The NR activity was measured using the method described by Reda and Klobus [67] with some modifications. Plant tissues (1.0 g fresh weight) were ground in a chilled mortar with 5 mL extraction buffer. The mixture was homogenized and centrifuged at 15000 g for 10 min at 4 °C. The supernatant was used to measure NR activity in the presence and/or absence of MgCl2 in accordance with the method of Glaab and Kaiser [68]. The reaction medium was incubated for 10 min at 27 °C, and then the NR activity was recorded by measuring the NO2− produced.

Measurement of NiR activity

The NiR activity was measured following the method described by Liu et al. [69].

qRT-PCR analysis

The samples were excised, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at − 80 °C for quantification of the expression of nitrate transporter family genes (CsNRT1.1, CsNRT1.2a–CsNRT1.2c, CsNRT1.3, CsNRT1.4a–CsNRT1.4b, CsNRT1.5a–CsNRT1.5c, and CsNRT1.7–CsNRT1.10), chloride channel protein family genes (CsCLCa–CsCLCg), slow anion channel-associated homologs (CsSLAH1–CsSLAH4), ammonium transporter family genes (CsAMT1.2a–CsAMT1.2c, CsAMT2, and CsAMT3.3), NR family genes (CsNR1–CsNR3), and a NiR gene (CsNiR).

Total RNA was extracted using the RNAprep pure Plant Kit (TIANGEN, Beijing, China) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The concentration of RNA was quantified by spectrophotometric measurement at λ = 260 nm and RNA integrity was checked on agarose gels [70]. First-strand cDNA was synthesized using the FastQuant RT Kit (TIANGEN) following the manufacturer’s instructions. The cDNA was analyzed by qRT-PCR using the Hieff qPCR SYBR Green Master Mix (11203ES03, YEASEN) on an ABI 7500 Real Time PCR System (Applied BioSystems) [71]. Transcripts of TIP41 (PP2A phosphatase activator; GW881871) were used to standardize the cDNA samples for different genes because its expression is insensitive to low temperature [72]. Specific primers were designed using Primer Premier 5 software [73] and the cucumber genome database [1]. Oligonucleotides used are listed in Additional file 1 (Table S1).

Data analysis

Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the least significant difference test was performed. All statistically significant differences were identified as P < 0.05. Graphpad Prism 5 was used for graphical presentation.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

NT:

Normal temperature, 26 °C

LT:

Low temperature, 8 °C

NMT:

Non-invasive micro-test technology

NR:

Nitrate reductase

NiR:

Nitrite reductase

NRT:

Nitrate transporter

AMT:

Ammonium transporter

MEP:

Methylammonium permease

NRA:

Nitrate reductase activity

NRAact :

Actual nitrate reductase activity

NRAmax :

Maximum nitrate reductase activity

NRT1:

Nitrate transporter 1 family

NRT2:

Nitrate transporter 2 family

CLC:

Chloride channel family

SLAH:

Slow anion channel-associated homologs

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Acknowledgements

We thank the YoungerUSA Xuyue (Beijing) BioFunction Institute (Beijing, China) for their support with the NMT test. And we thank Robert McKenzie, PhD, from Liwen Bianji, Edanz Editing China (www.liwenbianji.cn/ac), for editing the English text of a draft of this manuscript.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (31801909), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFD0201207), the Earmarked Fund for Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System in China (CARS-25-C-01), the Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAASASTIP-IVFCAAS), and the Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Biology and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture, China. The funding bodies played no role in the design of the study, in collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data, and in writing the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    Yumei Liu, Mintao Sun, Jun Wang, Li Miao, Yan Yan, Chaoxing He, Xianchang Yu & Yansu Li

  2. College of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Heze University, Heze, 274000, Shandong, China

    Yumei Liu

  3. College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, Shanxi, China

    Longqiang Bai

  4. College of Life Science, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, 341000, Jiangxi, China

    Shuzhen Li

Authors
  1. Yumei Liu
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  2. Longqiang Bai
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  3. Mintao Sun
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  4. Jun Wang
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  5. Shuzhen Li
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  6. Li Miao
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  7. Yan Yan
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  8. Chaoxing He
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  9. Xianchang Yu
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  10. Yansu Li
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Contributions

XCY, YSL, and YML conceived and designed the research. YML performed most of the experiments. LQB, MTS, and JW assisted with designing the experiments, and wrote and revised the article. YSL, YML, LQB, and MTS analyzed the data. YML drafted the manuscript. XCY and YSL revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xianchang Yu or Yansu Li.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Supplementary Information

Additional file 1: Table S1.

Oligonucleotides used in the study.

Additional file 2: Table S2.

Effect of low temperature on the water content of cucumber seedlings.

Additional file 3: Fig. S1.

Net NO3− and NH4+ flux rates at different positions in the root hair zone of cucumber seedlings.

Additional file 4: Fig. S2

. Positions of electrode pole against tissues during the test.

Additional file 5: Fig. S3.

Vascular bundles in the primary root, stem, petiole, midrib, and lateral vein for the NMT test.

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Liu, Y., Bai, L., Sun, M. et al. Adaptation of cucumber seedlings to low temperature stress by reducing nitrate to ammonium during it’s transportation. BMC Plant Biol 21, 189 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-02918-6

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Keywords

BMC Plant Biology

ISSN: 1471-2229

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