Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2020, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (5): 623-633.DOI: 10.11983/CBB20034

• SPECIAL TOPICS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Influence Mechanisms of Nitric Oxide on Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation in Legumes

Weiqin Zhang1, Hang Zou2,3, Nina Zhang1, Xueyuan Lin1, Juan Chen1,2,*()   

  1. 1State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
    2State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
    3Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, Yangling 712100, China
  • Received:2020-03-03 Accepted:2020-06-05 Online:2020-09-01 Published:2020-09-03
  • Contact: Juan Chen

Abstract: Legume-rhizobium symbiosis is genetically co-regulated by the genes of both partners. The symbiosis process involves the formation of special nodule structure where the inert nitrogen (N2) from the atmosphere is converted into ammonia nitrogen that can be directly used by plants. Nodulation and nitrogen fixation are affected by many factors. As a free radical reactive gas signaling molecule, nitric oxide (NO) participates in the regulation of many plant growth and development processes, such as respiration, photomorphogenesis, seed germination, tissue and organ development, aging, and response to various biotic and abiotic stresses. In the legumes, it has been found that NO not only affects the establishment of the symbiotic relationship between the host and the bacteria, but also is involved in regulating the fixation of nitrogen by the rhizobia and increases the efficiency of nitrogen nutrition utilization. Here we review the mechanism of NO regulating nodule formation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume-rhizobium symbiosis system, including the production and degradation of NO in legumes and rhizobia and its effect on nodulation, symbiotic nitrogen fixation and their response to environmental stress. We discuss the prospects and challenges of studying NO signaling molecule in symbiotic nitrogen fixation system of legume-rhizobium.

Key words: nitric oxide (NO), nodule, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, hemoglobins (Hbs)