JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2020, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (2): 35-42.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-2006.201904048

Special Issue: 青钱柳叶有效成分专题

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Effects of nitrogen fertilization on secondary metabolite accumulation and antioxidant capacity of Cycolcurya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja leaves

YUE Xiliang1(), QIN Jian1, FU Xiangxiang1,2, SHANG Xulan1,2, FANG Shengzuo1,2,*()   

  1. 1. College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    2. Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
  • Received:2019-04-21 Revised:2019-06-24 Online:2020-03-30 Published:2020-04-01
  • Contact: FANG Shengzuo E-mail:yuexiliang206@qq.com;fangsz@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

【Objective】 Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja, a native species of China, is cultivated for its medicinal properties,fine timber and ornamental value. To form a theoretical framework of nitrogen fertilization management, this study investigated how variable levels of nitrogen influence the growth, accumulation of secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja seedlings.【Method】The temperature and humidity were fixed in the artificial climate chamber, the stumping seedlings of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja with two-year-old seedlings were treated by three nitrogen application levels as N1 (0 g/plant), N2 (3 g/plant) and N3 (6 g/plant). And then, the corresponding growth, total carbon, total nitrogen, secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja leaves were measured and compared across treatments by single factor analysis of variance. 【Result】The seedlings height, ground diameter, biomass and secondary metabolite content of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja leaves changed significantly across treatments (P < 0.05). With the increase in nitrogen level, the seedlings height, ground diameter and biomass variation of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja were 27.33-39.67 cm, 6.65-9.19 mm, and 2.41-3.87 g, respectively; all the highest values were detected with N1 treatment. The highest content of secondary metabolites was observed in N0 treatment. However, the total nitrogen content in seedlings leaves increased with the nitrogen level, and the C/N ratio significantly decreased. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between the total nitrogen content and C/N ratio in the leaves of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja(P < 0.01), as well as between the IC 50 values of ABTS[2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)] and DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and the contents of total triterpenoids, total flavonoids, and total polyphenols in the leaves ofC. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja(P < 0.05). With increasing nitrogen level, both the secondary metabolite contents measured and their antioxidant capacities in C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja leaves showed the tendency N0 > N2 > N1. 【Conclusion】The difference in nitrogen level significantly changed the growth, C/N ratio, secondary metabolites accumulation and antioxidant capacity of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja seedlings. The C/N ratio had a significant positive correlation with total polyphenols, and no correlation with total flavonoids, total triterpenoids and antioxidant capacity. Both low and high nitrogen treatments contributed to the accumulation of secondary metabolites and an improvement in the antioxidant capacity ofC. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja seedlings, but inhibited the growth of C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja seedlings. In conclusion, these results provide the theoretical basis for nitrogen fertilization management through C. paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja cultivation.

Key words: Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal.) Iljinskaja, nitrogen fertilization, secondary metabolites: antioxidant capacity, growth, total carbon, total nitrogen

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