Nickel Deficiency Affects Nitrogenous Forms and Urease Activity in Spring Xylem Sap of Pecan

While nickel (Ni) deficiency occurs in certain agricultural crops, little is known regarding the influence of deficiency on metabolic or physiological processes. We studied the influence of Ni deficiency on the reduced-nitrogen (N) composition of early spring xylem sap of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch]. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of sap composition found the presence of ureido-, amide-, and amino-N substances and that they are quantitatively influenced by tree Ni nutritional status. Ureido-N forms quantitatively dominated amide-N forms with respect to both molar concentration and the forms in which reduced N atoms are present; thus, pecan appears to be predominately a ureide-transporting species. The primary ureido-N substances in sap of Ni-sufficient trees are citrulline ≈ asparagine ≈ xanthine > ureidoglycolate > allantoic acid > allantoin ≈ uric acid ≈ urea. Asparagine is the primary amide-N form, while only traces of amino-N forms (e.g., tryptamine and β-phenylethylamine) are found in xylem sap. Nickel deficiency substantially increased citrulline and allantoic acid in xylem sap while decreasing the asparagine, xanthine, and β-phenylethylamine concentrations. These Ni-linked quantitative shifts in reduced-N forms indicate that Ni nutrition potentially affects intermediates of both the ureide catabolic pathway and the urea cycle as well as the nitrogen/carbon (N/C) economy of the tree. Xylem sap-associated urease-specific activity was also reduced as a consequence of Ni deficiency. These results indicate that Ni deficiency potentially disrupts normal N-cycling via disruption of ureide metabolism.

Correcting Micronutrient Deficiency Using Metal Hyperaccumulators: Alyssum Biomass as a Natural Product for Nickel Deficiency Correction

The existence of nickel (Ni) deficiency in certain horticultural crops merits development of fertilizer products suitable for specific niche uses and for correcting or preventing deficiency problems before marketability and yields are affected. The efficacy of satisfying plant nutritional needs for Ni using biomass of Ni hyperaccumulator species was assessed. Aqueous extraction of Alyssum murale (Waldst. & Kit.) biomass yielded a Ni-enriched extract that, upon spray application, corrects and prevents Ni deficiency in pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch]. The Ni-Alyssum biomass extract was as effective at correcting or preventing Ni deficiency as was a commercial Ni-sulfate salt. Foliar treatment of pecan with either source at ≥10 mg·L–1 Ni, regardless of source, prevented deficiency symptoms whereas treatment at less than 10 mg·L–1 Ni was only partially effective. Autumn application of Ni to foliage at 100 mg·L–1 Ni during leaf senescence resulted in enough remobilized Ni to prevent expression of morphologically based Ni deficiency symptoms the following spring. The study demonstrates that micronutrient deficiencies are potentially correctable using extracts of metal-accumulating plants.

Association of Meloidogyne partityla with Nickel Deficiency and Mouse-ear of Pecan

Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] trees exhibit nickel (Ni) deficiency in certain orchard situations. The symptoms are manifest as either mouse-ear or replant disorder and in certain situations are associated with nematode parasitism. A field microplot study of pecan seedlings treated with either Meloidogyne partityla or Criconemoides xenoplax or both found that parasitism by M. partityla can result in enhancement in the severity of mouse-ear symptoms and a reduction in foliar Ni concentration. The Ni threshold for triggering morphological symptoms in young developing foliage was between 0.265 and 0.862 μg·g–1 dry weight, while the threshold for rosetting was between 0.007 and 0.064 μg·g–1 dw. Results indicate that parasitism by M. partityla is a contributing factor to the induction of Ni deficiency in pecan and raises the possibility that nematode parasitism and Ni nutrition can be contributing factors to many plant maladies.