[Nitrates and nitrites in plants].

The formation of aminoacids and proteins from the nitrogen which enters the roots as nitra t involves a complex reaction requiring energy. The first step requires a metalloflavoprotein, the nitrate reductase and the successive intervention of NADPH, FAD and reduced molybdenum which transfers electrons to nitrate and reduces it to nitrite. The following steps involve NADPH, FAD, Copper, Iron and Manganese, the last steps of the successive reductions being ammonia, needed for the aminoacids synthesis. The activity of the different enzymes are under the dependence of the genetic equipment of the plant, of the nitrogen and oligo-element nutrition and of the different factors acting on the photosynthesis.