Leaf photosynthetic capacity is regulated by the interaction of nitrogen and potassium through coordination of CO2 diffusion and carboxylation

Combined application of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizer could significantly enhance crop yield. Crop yield and photosynthesis are inseparable. However, the influence of N and K interaction on photosynthesis is still not fully understood. Field and hydroponic experiments were conducted to examine the effects of N and K interaction on leaf photosynthesis characteristics and to explore the mechanisms in the hydroponic experiment. CO2 conductance and carboxylation characteristic parameters of oilseed leaves were measured under different N and K supplies. Results indicated that detectable increases in leaf area, biomass and net photosynthetic rate (A(n)) were observed under optimal N and K supply in field and hydroponic experiments. The ratio of total CO2 diffusion conductance to the maximum carboxylation rate (g(tot)/V-cmax) and A(n) presented a linear-plateau relationship. Under insufficient N, increased K contributed to the CO2 transmission capacity and improved the proportion of N used for carboxylation, promoting g(tot)/V-cmax. However, the low V-cmax associated with N insufficiency limited the A(n). High N supply obviously accelerated V-cmax, yet K deficiency led to a reduction of g(tot), which restricted V-cmax. Synchronous increases in N and K supplementation ensured the appropriate ratio of N to K content in leaves, which simultaneously facilitated g(tot) and V-cmax and preserved a g(tot)/V-cmax suitable for guaranteeing CO2 transmission and carboxylation coordination; the overall effect was increased A(n) and leaf area. These results highlight the suitable N and K nutrients to coordinate CO2 diffusion and carboxylation, thereby enhancing photosynthetic capacity and area to obtain high crop yield.