Effects of sodium hydrosulfide and rhizobia on the growth rate, nutrient stoichiometry, and nutrient resorption of soybean (Glycine max L.)^#

Abstract

Background and aims NaHS, a donor of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is emerging as a potential signaling molecule, may regulate various physiological processes in plants. However, how soybean (Glycine max L.) responds to NaHS and rhizobia (Sinorhizobium fredii) inoculation remains unclear. Methods We explored the effects of NaHS and rhizobia on the growth rate, nodules, nitrogenase activities (NA), chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescent parameters, endogenous H2S accumulation, l/d‐cysteine desulfhydrase (GmLCD and GmDCD) gene expression, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) contents, and nutrient resorption. Results The results showed that rhizobia significantly increased the shoot, root, total dry weight, and growth rate, and NaHS promoted nodule numbers and NA in soybean. Moreover, chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, Pn, endogenous H2S accumulation, and GmLCD and GmDCD gene expression levels were promoted by NaHS and rhizobia. In addition, during all growth stages of soybean, the levels of N, P, and K and the N:P ratio in different tissues were affected by NaHS and rhizobia. Additionally, NaHS and rhizobia also significantly enhanced N resorption efficiency (NRE) and K resorption efficiency (KRE), but decreased P resorption efficiency (PRE). Conclusion Therefore, NaHS and rhizobia regulated the growth rate, nutrient stoichiometry, and nutrient resorption efficiency of soybean. These findings provide information that will be useful for predicting how NaHS and rhizobia lead to variations in nutrient uptake and nutrient conservation strategies.

H2S works synergistically with rhizobia to modify photosynthetic carbon assimilation and metabolism in nitrogen‐deficient soybeans

“…Consistently, H 2 S markedly improved the old and new leaf phenotypes of N‐deficient soybeans, as evidenced by a sharp increase in leaf Ca, Cb, Cx+c, and CT concentrations (Figure 1g,h). Rhizobia are equally favourable for enhancing legume chlorophyll content (Akhtar & Siddiqui, 2008; Chen et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2020; Zou et al, 2019). Therefore, photosynthetic pigment concentrations in symbiotic systems were substantially improved, with Q8 + NaHS exhibiting the greatest effect (Figure 1g,h).…”

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in the hidden half: Role in root growth, stress signalling and rhizospheric interactions

“…Interestingly, the study demonstrated regulation in transcription expression of nodulation genes, mainly GmENOD40 (early nodulation genes), GmERN (ERF) and other nodulation inception genes, in response to H 2 S and rhizobia treatment, along with increased nitrogenase activity (Lin et al 2021). Chen et al (2021) reported exogenous application of sodium hydrosulfide and rhizobia (S. fredii) to soybean increased nodule number, enhanced nitrogenase activity, increased growth and biomass, as well nutrient uptake. The study also found an increase in endogenous H 2 S concentration with both exogenous treatments with H 2 S and rhizobia.…”

“…Chen et al . (2021) reported exogenous application of sodium hydrosulfide and rhizobia ( S. fredii) to soybean increased nodule number, enhanced nitrogenase activity, increased growth and biomass, as well nutrient uptake. The study also found an increase in endogenous H 2 S concentration with both exogenous treatments with H 2 S and rhizobia.…”

H2S Crosstalk in Rhizobia Modulates Essential Nutrient Allocation and Transport in Soybean

“…The possible explanation is that in soybeans, H 2 S and rhizobia are quite helpful at avoiding excessive accumulation of total P in pods, resulting in respiratory consumption, thereby promoting high storage of P in stems and leaves for recycling during organ development and transport of P to nodules for better N fixation. Indeed, H 2 S exhibits the ability to modulate P distribution in various soybean tissues [71,72]. Furthermore, the continuous N supply generated by symbiosis meets the host's N demand.…”