Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism

Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolism are the primary cellular processes governing plant growth and development. Their products, including starch, lipids, and proteins, dominate seed chemical composition and provide the fundamental basis for crop yield and quality. Interactions between C and N metabolism occur at multiple points within plant metabolic pathways, posing challenges when attempting to discern their individual contributions to crop productivity. This chapter begins by exploring the fundamental principles of plant metabolism, followed by an analysis of the key processes involved in C and N assimilation and metabolism. The focus is on elucidating the major biochemical components that have agronomic importance, namely sucrose, starch, and storage proteins. Subsequently, three typical scenarios are presented to interpret the interplay between C and N metabolism, with two case studies that exemplify its significance for crop production. This chapter concludes by providing a perspective on future studies regarding the C–N interaction.