Abstract
Nitrogen (N) deficiency is one of the most common problems in soils, limiting crop growth and production. However, the effects of N limitation in seedlings on vegetative growth remain poorly understood. Here, we show that N limitation in rice seedlings restricted vegetative growth but not yield. Aboveground parts were affected mainly during the period of tillering, but belowground parts were sensitive throughout vegetative growth, especially during panicle development. At the tillering stage, N-limited plants had a significantly lower N content in shoots, but not in roots. On the other hand, N content in roots during the panicle development stage was significantly lower in N-limited plants. This distinct response was driven by significant changes in expression of N transporter genes during growth. Under N limitation, N translocation from roots to shoots was greatly sped up by systemic expression of N transporter genes to obtain balanced growth. N limitation during the seedling stage did not reduce any yield components. We conclude that the N condition during the seedling stage affects physiological responses such as N translocation through the expression of N transporter genes.
Highlights
Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are essential for crop growth and productivity [1]
Little is known about the possible impact of N limitation experienced by seedling plants on subsequent vegetative growth, and in turn yield in rice
Many attempts have been made to analyze the expression of N transporter genes in response to N deficiency in young seedlings in rice [18,22,23,24,29], maize [30,31], and millet [32]
Summary
Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are essential for crop growth and productivity [1]. In rice cultivation, the benefits of an appropriate split N topdressing are well documented and include mitigated N loss, improved N use efficiency [2]; improved photosynthesis efficiency, enhanced matter production capacity [3]; and increased number of spikelets per unit area and, increased yield [3,4,5].Insufficient N application at any growth stage leads to negative effects on growth and development, affecting yield [6,7,8]. Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are essential for crop growth and productivity [1]. In the early growth stage, an inappropriate supply of N causes a failure to achieve vigorous seedling establishment [6]. Inadequate N supply at either the tillering and/or heading stage results in slow growth, less productive tillers, poor grain filling and reduced yield [8,9,10]. N deficiency is being repeatedly experienced by all plants [11]. The physiological effects of N deficiency have been intensively studied in many crops, along with the underlying molecular basis [12,13]. Little is known about the possible impact of N limitation experienced by seedling plants on subsequent vegetative growth, and in turn yield in rice
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