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Rhythmic Nitrate Reductase Activity in Leaves of Capsicum annuum L. and the Influence of Kinetin

^a Division of Irrigation Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Griffith, N.S.W., 2680, Australia

In the expanding leaves of Capsicum annuum L. cv. California Wonder, two of the three peaks of nitrate reductase activity associated with the light period exhibit a circadian rhythm that persists in continuous light.

The spray application of kinetin to the whole shoot or to leaves other than the ones used for nitrate reductase assay causes a phase shift in the activity peaks and this has been used in preliminary investigations of the character of the mechanisms controlling the timing of the peaks.

There was some indication that the rate of translocation of nitrate from the roots might be involved. The levels of nitrate moving up the stem after kinetin treatment were more dependent upon the rate of sap flow than on the concentration of nitrate in the sap. For this reason, transpiration rates in whole plants were measured after kinetin treatment but no change in pattern was seen that would correlate with the phase shift in nitrate reductase activity.

The occurrence of nitrate reductase peaks in excised leaves suggested a leaf-based in addition to a root-or stem-based mechanism in the timing of nitrate reductase activity in the leaves.