Increased Nitrogen Uptake Research Articles

Can wheat yield, N use efficiency and processing quality be improved simultaneously?

Increasing grain yield and quality are the two most important objectives in wheat production. In this study, grain yield, processing quality parameters, protein component concentration, nitrogen uptake and grain nitrogen source were compared under micro-sprinkler irrigation (MSI) and conventional border irrigation (CBI) treatments by field and isotope micro-plot experiments. The results showed that the MSI treatment with late and split application N increased grain yield, protein concentration, post-anthesis nitrogen accumulation amount and fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency by 5.8%, 8.6%, 42.5% and 15.8%, respectively, compared with CBI treatment. The results of isotope micro-plot test showed that the proportion of nitrogen from topdressing nitrogen in mature grains was 30.1% in MSI, which was 80.6% higher than that of CBI. What’s more, the increase in nitrogen uptake in MSI was mainly due to the increase in nitrogen uptake in chaff and grains. MSI treatment increased the concentrations of protein and its components in grains, especially the concentration of storage protein, thus resulting in the increase in wet gluten content, but did not significantly change grain processing quality parameters. In addition, MSI treatment significantly improved fertilizer nitrogen utilization efficiency by applying topdressing in different stages. In general, MSI management may be an efficient way to simultaneously increase grain yield, protein concentration and fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency and stabilize grain processing quality of winter wheat in the North China Plain.

Comparative Evaluation of Mineral and Organo-Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization and the Role of Amino Acids as Plant Growth Promoters in Maize Cultivation

The challenge to increase nitrogen uptake efficiency in intensively cultivated soils without runoffs and atmospheric release has been difficult to handle and usually leads to the excess application of mineral fertilizers. In the present study, four combinations of two different N fertilizers and a control were used in maize cultivation to evaluate the use of different types of N fertilization in the case of agronomic and plant physiology characteristics, as well as the quantity and quality characteristics of maize’s yield. The results show that, when the full rate of mineral fertilization with the addition of half rate of organo-mineral fertilizer with amino acids (MF+OMAA/2) was used, maize presented a 16% yield increase in comparison with the control, followed by mineral fertilization (MF) with a 10% increase. Protein content was increased in all treatments by 3–6% compared to the control, with the conventional fertilization and the alternates with lower rates of mineral fertilization not differing significantly. The nitrogen content in the leaves of maize increased in both measurements (11–23% and 19–40% at 70 and 107 days after sowing, respectively) of the different fertilizer treatments compared to the control. The results of this study confirm that the organo-mineral fertilizer containing amino acids can be used as an alternative or additive N fertilization that can decrease the use of conventional mineral fertilizers or can result in improved seed productivity and protein content in maize farms.

Response of Growth and Production of Red and Green Okra Plants to Effect of Organic Fertilization

The effect of nitrogen on growth, and development of plants, metabolism, dry matter production has been well investigated. Extensive research has been conducted on organic fertilizers especially, i.e. the compost. This study investigated the effect of compost on okra pods yield, nitrogen agronomic use efficiency, supplied of nitrogen recovery efficiency and supplied nitrogen physiological efficiency in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). A completely randomized experimental design of 2x4 factorial patterns with three replications was used in this study. Factor (I) was the okra species (Green okra - Red okra) and factor (II) was the doses of compost (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1). Kind of okra has different effects on the parameters observed. Results showed that green okra and red okra showed increased yield due to the increase in the nitrogen dose through compost. Agronomic use efficiency of green okra and red okra increased with increasing doses of compost. The nitrogen recovery efficiency of green okra and red okra also, increased with increasing doses of compost. Nitrogen physiological efficiency of green okra and red okra increased with increasing compost doses. An increase in compost doses resulted in increased nitrogen uptake, pods yield, Agronomic efficiency, nitrogen recovery efficiency and nitrogen physiological efficiency of both green and red okra. Increased compost doses resulted in decreased nitrogen use efficiency in green okra. Green okra is more efficient in using organic nitrogen from compost.

Suitable Fertilizer Application Depth Enhances the Efficient Utilization of Key Resources and Improves Crop Productivity in Rainfed Farmland on the Loess Plateau, China.

Appropriate fertilizer application methods can help to improve crop yields. However, limited information is available regarding how different fertilizer application depths might affect crop production in dryland winter wheat-summer maize cropping in the Loess Plateau region of China. Therefore, we conducted field experiments in 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 to evaluate the effects of changing the fertilizer placement depth on summer maize (current crop) and winter wheat (succeeding crop) productivity, as well as the resource use efficiency and soil nitrate-nitrogen residue (SNR) level. Four fertilizer placement depths were tested comprising 5 cm (FD5), 15 cm (FD15), 25 cm (FD25), and 35 cm (FD35). The nitrogen uptake by summer maize in the two seasons was 10.0, 6.5, and 11.8% higher under FD15 compared with those under FD5, FD25, and FD35, respectively, because FD15 effectively increased the root length density, root surface area density, and rate of root bleeding sap. Due to the increased nitrogen uptake, the leaf area index, plant height, stem diameter, and accumulated dry matter were improved in summer maize. The interception of photosynthetically active radiation was 3.6, 3.7, and 5.9% higher under FD15 compared with those under FD5, FD25, and FD35, respectively. The summer maize grain yield increased by 13.9–22.4% under FD15 compared with the other treatments. In addition, the SNR in the deep soil (200–300 cm) was significantly lower under FD15 during the summer maize harvest (17.9–30.7%) compared with the other treatments. Moreover, FD15 increased the winter wheat (succeeding crop) grain yield (2.6–11.2%) and reduced the SNR in the 200–300 cm soil layer (8.8–16.8%) at the winter wheat harvest. The highest radiation use efficiency, precipitation use efficiency, and nitrogen use efficiency were obtained under FD15 in both summer maize and winter wheat. These results clearly suggest that depth fertilization of 15 cm enhanced the productivity and resource use efficiency for the current and subsequent crops in rainfed farmland in the Loess Plateau of China, as well as reducing the SNR in the deep soil to promote sustainable agricultural development. These findings provide a practical reference for optimizing fertilizer application management.

Production and characterization of compacted Fe16N2 permanent magnets

The permanent magnet industry has been in search of a rare-earth-free and cost-effective alternative to industry leader Nd-Fe-B magnet for over a decade. Thanks to its abundant and inexpensive constituent elements, Fe16N2, classified as a semi-hard magnet, is a promising candidate to fill the gap between ferrites and the Nd-Fe-B due to its giant magnetic saturation and relatively high magnetocrystalline anisotropy thus the expected high magnetic energy. Powder in flake form was prepared by surfactant-assisted ball milling of irregularly shaped Fe powder. As synthesized flakes were subjected to oxidation followed by reduction back to Fe to increase nitrogen uptake by having a porous morphology. Subsequently, the reduced powder was subjected to nitrogenization between 150 and 180 C up to 12 h. The resultant powder is transformed to 97% Fe16N2 with room temperature coercivity of up to 1050 Oe. Fe16N2 permanent magnets were then developed utilizing cold compaction at a pressure of 1 GPa. Further compaction by annealing at a temperature below 200 °C and under 2 GPa enabled consolidation of a 4 mm cylinder with ca 80% density while preserving the Fe16N2 phase.

СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ БИОЛОГИЗАЦИИ ЗЕМЛЕДЕЛИЯ

The article discusses the current state and prospects of biologization of agriculture related to nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in agriculture and the determination of research opportunities in the field of agronomy, plant breeding and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Crop breeding increases nitrogen uptake and use of its soil forms, while breeding aimed at increasing the efficiency of BNF by legumes will increase the overall efficiency of the system. Similarly, the development of new N-fixing symbioses in non-legume crops may reduce the need for chemical fertilizers in agroecosystems, but is a much longer-term goal. Consequently, the biologization of agriculture should combine the use of a number of nature-like agricultural technologies with an increase in the efficiency of applied mineral fertilizers, primarily nitrogen. It is shown that the biologization of agriculture requires something more than technical solutions of biological problems to ensure the responsible use of nitrogen in the interests of food security and environmental protection. Ultimately, the problem comes from society, and the solution must include a social dimension.

Earthworms increase nitrogen uptake by lettuce and change short-term soil nitrogen dynamics

Earthworms stimulate organic nitrogen (N) mineralization and this is linked to plant N uptake and N loss from soil. Earthworms may also simultaneously transfer N-rich residues into physically protected soil fractions and temporarily increase N stabilization. This study evaluated soil N transformations and lettuce N uptake in soil microcosms amended with 15N-labeled rice straw, with and without earthworms (Metaphire guillelmi), during a 45-day period. We measured the amount of straw N absorbed by lettuce, lost as N2O or in leachates, and remaining in bulk soil and aggregate fractions. Lettuce biomass increased significantly (P < 0.05) by 37% with earthworms, and a greater proportion of the N uptake by lettuce was from the soil native N pool rather than from straw N (soil-derived N in lettuce increased from 101 to 170 mg pot−1 with earthworms). Earthworms did not change N losses by leaching. Total cumulative N2O emissions were 29% greater with earthworms than without earthworms (P < 0.05), but the straw-derived cumulative N2O emission was three times lower with earthworms than without earthworms. Straw N was recovered in large macroaggregates (> 2 mm) and earthworm tissues in the microcosms with earthworms. There was 4.5% more straw N remaining in soil with earthworms, suggesting that earthworms temporarily increased the residence time of straw N. We propose that M. guillelmi stimulates short-term mineralization of soil native N, which is available for uptake by lettuce and increases the risk of N loss as N2O, while temporarily stabilizing straw N in the soil.

Mulched drip irrigation and biochar application reduce gaseous nitrogen emissions, but increase nitrogen uptake and peanut yield

Nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions from farmland need to be abated as they directly or indirectly affect climate warming and crop yield. We conducted a two-year field experiment to investigate the effect of biochar applied at two rates (no biochar application vs. biochar applied at 10 t ha−1) on gaseous nitrogen (N) losses (N2O emissions and NH3 volatilization), plant N uptake, residual soil mineral N, and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield under three irrigation regimes: furrow irrigation (FI), drip irrigation (DI), and mulched drip irrigation (MDI). We found that MDI reduced residual (post-harvest) soil mineral N, cumulative N2O emissions, and yield-scaled N2O emissions as compared to FI. Biochar application increased residual soil NO3−-N and decreased yield-scaled N2O emissions as compared with the control without biochar application. Under the three irrigation regimes, biochar application decreased cumulative NH3 volatilization and increased plant N uptake and yield compared with the control. Biochar application improved the sustainability of peanut production and could be used to alleviate the environmental damage associated with gaseous N emissions. Where possible, biochar application under MDI in peanut fields is recommended as a management strategy to minimize gaseous N losses.

Nitrogen use efficiency, rhizosphere bacterial community, and root metabolome reprogramming due to maize seed treatment with microbial biostimulants

Seed inoculation with beneficial microorganisms has gained importance as it has been proven to show biostimulant activity in plants, especially in terms of abiotic/biotic stress tolerance and plant growth promotion, representing a sustainable way to ensure yield stability under low input sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, limited knowledge is available concerning the molecular and physiological processes underlying the root‐inoculant symbiosis or plant response at the root system level. Our work aimed to integrate the interrelationship between agronomic traits, rhizosphere microbial population and metabolic processes in roots, following seed treatment with either arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or Plant Growth‐Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). To this aim, maize was grown under open field conditions with either optimal or reduced nitrogen availability. Both seed treatments increased nitrogen uptake efficiency under reduced nitrogen supply revealed some microbial community changes among treatments at root microbiome level and limited yield increases, while significant changes could be observed at metabolome level. Amino acid, lipid, flavone, lignan, and phenylpropanoid concentrations were mostly modulated. Integrative analysis of multi‐omics datasets (Multiple Co‐Inertia Analysis) highlighted a strong correlation between the metagenomics and the untargeted metabolomics datasets, suggesting a coordinate modulation of root physiological traits.

Enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizer boosts cauliflower productivity and farmers’ income: Multi-location and multi-year field trials across Nepal

SummaryEnhanced-efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizers (EENFs) such as slow-release polymer-coated urea (PCU) and deep placement of urea briquettes (UBs) improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by reducing N losses and increasing nitrogen uptake by plants. Multilocation field trials (81) with cauliflower were conducted across two agroecological regions covering seven districts during two crop-growing seasons between 2018 and 2020 to assess the potential of three EENFs, i.e., PCU, sulphur-coated urea (SCU) and UB for increasing curd yields, agronomic NUE (AEN) and economic benefits over conventional urea (CU). Results were compared with farmers’ current nutrient management practice (FP): applying CU at 58.5 kg N ha−1(ranging from 33 to 88 kg N ha−1). The N rates in three EENF treatments were 33% lower (100 kg N ha−1), considering their higher N use efficiency, than for CU (150 kg N ha−1). We hypothesize that EENFs produce similar or even higher yields compared with CU. For both years, all three EENFs resulted in significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher curd yields than CU (36.7 ± 1.1 t ha−1). PCU, SCU and UB increased yields by 21, 21 and 24% over those for CU. The yield increment was much higher (PCU, 44%; SCU, 43%; UB, 46%) than for FP. Similarly, PCU, SCU and UB increased the partial factor productivity of N (PFPN) by 91, 90 and 94% and the AENby 133, 129 and 138%, respectively, compared with CU. The gross margins of all three EENFs were similar: an average 25% more than with CU and 51% more than with FP. These results suggest that EENFs could help increase productivity and farmer income while considerably reducing N input, compared to use of CU. The government of Nepal should promote these EENFs by removing barriers to access for the associated fertilizers and foster their use through extension.

Influence of Biodegradable Polymer Coated Urea on Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization of Maize (Zea mays L)

Controlled release nitrogen fertilizers could be an excellent management approach for improving nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of coated urea fertilizers to increase nitrogen uptake and utilization of maize. The nitrogen use efficiency of maize from various biodegradable polymer-coated urea fertilizers, such as palm stearin coated urea (PSCU), pine oleoresin coated urea (POCU), and humic acid coated urea (HACU), was determined in a pot culture experiment conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2021. The coating materials have been coated on urea with different coating thicknesses, viz., PSCU - 5, 10, 15%, POCU – 2, 4, 6%, and HACU - 5, 10, 15%. Among all the treatments, T11: HACU 15% produced highest grain yield (72.0g plant-1) followed by T7: POCU 4% (69.7 g plant-1) and T4: PSCU 10% (69.0g plant-1). In terms of dry matter production, T10: PSCU 10% produced maximum dry matter (186.5g plant-1), followed by T11: HACU 15% (186.2 g plant-1), and T7: POCU 4% (185.3g plant-1). The nitrogen uptake by the maize plant was higher in T7: POCU 4 % (1.62g plant-1), followed by T11: HACU 15% (1.59 g plant-1) and T4: PSCU 10% (1.59g plant-1). Irrespective of treatments, the highest nitrogen utilization by the maize crop was found in T7: POCU 4% (73.9%) followed by T4: PSCU 10% (71.1%) and T11: HACU 15% (70.9%) treatments. When compared to uncoated urea fertilizer, all coated urea fertilizers outperformed uncoated urea fertilizer in terms of grain yield, dry matter accumulation, and nitrogen uptake. To improve the nitrogen use efficiency, coated urea fertilizers prove to be a promising alternative to uncoated urea fertilizers.

Application effect of high efficiency and stability urea added with biochemical inhibitors and humic acid in loess

We carried out pot experiment to investigate nitrogen transformation characteristics, yield increasing effect, and apparent utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer in loess soils by combining chemi-cal inhibitor and biostimulant humic acid to investigate the application effect and provide a theoretical basis for new type highly efficient and stable urea in loess soil. In this study, blank (CK) and urea (N) were set as controls, and humic acid alone (F), N-butyl thiophosphate-triamine (NBPT), 3,4-dimethyl-pyrazolate phosphate (DMPP), 2-chloro-6-trimethyl-pyridine (CP) and humic acid were respectively combined with three biochemical inhibitors to urea. The results showed that compared with N treatment, F, NBPT+F, DMPP+F, CP+F treatments significantly increased maize yield, chlorophyll content, leaf area index and nitrogen uptake, and had obvious effects on soil available nitrogen contents. The addition of humic acid increased chlorophyll content of maize leaves in all cases compared to the application of biochemical inhibitors alone. Compared with CP treatment, CP+F treatment could significantly increase nitrogen uptake, chlorophyll content, and nitrogen adsorption efficiency of maize. Addition of humic acid with NBPT increased nitrification inhibition rate by 10.7% compared with NBPT alone, but decreased yield, leaf area index, nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency. Compared with DMPP treatment, DMPP+F treatment significantly reduced maize yield, leaf area index, nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency and nitrification inhibition rate. Considering maize yield, plant N uptake, N fertilizer uptake rate and soil ammonium N and nitrate N contents, the addition of humic acid and CP is recommended for urea application in loess areas to enhance urea performance, yield, and fertilizer utilization.

Integrated Nutrient Management Enhances Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Crops in Acidic and Charland Soils.

Integrated Plant Nutrient System (IPNS) is practiced worldwide to maintain soil quality. Two field experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 in acidic and charland soils to assess the impact of different manures, viz., poultry manure (PM), vermicompost (VC), compost (OF), rice husk biochar (RHB), poultry manure biochar (PMB)-based IPNS, and dolomite over control on productivity and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the Mustard-Boro-Transplanted Aman and Maize-Jute-Transplanted Aman cropping patterns, and on soil properties. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed that IPNS treatments significantly improved soil aggregate properties and total nitrogen in acidic soil, and bulk density in charland soil. In both years, IPNS treatments increased system productivity from 55.4 to 82.8% in acidic soil and from 43.3 to 115.4% in charland soil over that of control. IPNS and dolomite treatments increased nitrogen uptake from 35.5 to 105.7% over that of control and NUE in both soils in 2019 and 2020. PMB- and OF-based INPS treatments exhibited superior performances in both soils, and the impact was more prominent in 2020. Therefore, PMB- and OF-based IPNS can be recommended for maximizing system productivity and NUE with concurrent improvement of physicochemical properties of acidic and charland soils.

Uji Isolat Bakteri Azotobacter Asal Kebun Lidah Buaya dengan Pupuk Urea terhadap Serapan Nitrogen pada Tanaman Kedelai (Glycine Max L.) di Tanah Gambut

Azotobacter nitrogen-fixing bacteria and urea fertilizer to reduce excessive use of chemical fertilizers. These bacteria can play a role in increasing nitrogen uptake and further growth of soybean plants. This study aimed to obtain growth media for Azotobacter and increase plant and root growth and nitrogen uptake of Biosoy soybean varieties. The research was conducted to help the uptake of n in the soil and reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. The first experiment was carried out by growing bacteria on the media for 120 hours. The second experiment was designed in a completely randomized design that tested two treatments with additional use of urea fertilizer and Azotobacter and no Azotobacter. The results showed that there was no effect of giving Azotobacter from aloe vera gardens, and urea fertilizer showed a significant effect on the observed variables of soil pH in soybean plants on peat soil. In contrast, the variables observed were population, plant height, N content, N-total, plant dry weight, dry weight of plant roots, and N span of soybean plants had no significant effect.

Correction to: Tussock microhabitats increase nitrogen uptake by plants in an alpine wetland

Correction to: Tussock microhabitats increase nitrogen uptake by plants in an alpine wetland

Consumption of gossypol increases fatty acid-amino acid conjugates in the cotton pests Helicoverpa armigera and Heliothis virescens.

Gossypol is a toxic sesquiterpene dimer produced by cotton plants which deters herbivory by insects and vertebrates. Two highly reactive aldehyde groups contribute to gossypol toxicity by cross-linking herbivore proteins. We identified another consequence of consuming gossypol in two insect pests of cotton: increased amounts of fatty acid-amino acid conjugates (FACs). Eight different FACs in the feces of larval Helicoverpa armigera and Heliothis virescens increased when larvae consumed artificial diet containing gossypol, but not a gossypol derivative lacking free aldehyde groups (SB-gossypol). FACs are produced by joining plant-derived fatty acids with amino acids of insect origin in the larval midgut tissue by an unknown conjugase, and translocated into the gut lumen by an unknown transporter. FACs are hydrolyzed back into fatty acids and amino acids by an aminoacylase (L-ACY-1) in the gut lumen. The equilibrium level of FACs in the lumen is determined by a balance between conjugation and hydrolysis, which may differ among species. When heterologously expressed, L-ACY-1 of H. armigera but not H. virescens was inhibited by gossypol; consistent with the excretion of more FACs in the feces by H. armigera. FACs are known to benefit the plant host by inducing anti-herbivore defensive responses, and have been hypothesized to benefit the herbivore by acting as a surfactant and increasing nitrogen uptake efficiency. Thus in addition to its direct toxic effects, gossypol may negatively impact insect nitrogen uptake efficiency and amplify the signal used by the plant to elicit release of volatile compounds that attract parasitoids.

Efficacy of Peat and Liquid Inoculant Formulations of Bradyrhizobium japonicum Strain WB74 on Growth, Yield and Nitrogen Concentration of Soybean (Glycine max L.)

South African soils generally lack native Bradyrhizobium strains that nodulate and fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) in soybeans (Glycine max L.). It is therefore very important to inoculate soybeans with products that contain effective Bradyrhizobium strains as active ingredients. In this study, a field experiment was conducted on two bioclimatic zones in South Africa during the 2019/2020 season to assess the effect of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain WB74 inoculant formulation on nitrogen fixation, growth and yield improvement in soybeans. The first bioclimatic zone was characterized by a sandy clay loam soil, whereas the second bioclimatic zone has a sandy loam soil. The results showed that inoculation of soybeans with both peat and liquid formulations of Bradyrhizobium japonicum WB74 increased nitrogen uptake, which resulted in yield increase. The amount of N fixed was measured as 15N isotopes and increased with all treatments compared to the uninoculated control in both liquid and peat inoculant formulations. In bioclimatic zone A, slightly better results were obtained using the liquid formulation (1.79 t ha−1 for liquid compared to 1.75 t ha−1 for peat treatments), while peat formulations performed better in bioclimatic zone B (1.75 t ha−1 for peat compared to 1.71 t ha−1 for liquid treatments). In both areas higher yields were obtained with the formulations used in this study compared to the registered standards (treatment T3). The findings in this study provide vital information in the development and application of formulated microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture in South Africa.

Tussock microhabitats increase nitrogen uptake by plants in an alpine wetland

Tussock microhabitats increase nitrogen uptake by plants in an alpine wetland

Effect of Fish Amino Acid Application on Growth and N-uptake in Plants Rice Using The System of Rice Intensification Method

Rice is the main rice crop which is used as the staple food of most Indonesians. Rice production in Indonesia cannot be separated from inorganic fertilizers which have a bad impact on the environment, so it is necessary to carry out a revolution, one of which is the SRI method. The addition of FAA organic matter originating from fish sorted by fishermen which have no selling price is used as a substitute for inorganic fertilizers. This study aims to determine the effect of FAA application on growth and N uptake in rice plants using the SRI method and to determine the best dose of the effect of FAA application on growth and N uptake in rice plants using the SRI method. This research was conducted in December 2019 - April 2020 at the Greenhouse of the Agroecotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarbaru. The design used was a one-factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with treatment f0 (control / without FAA application), f1 (1 mL FAA / L), f2 (3 mL FAA / L), f3 (5 mL FAA / L) , and f4 (7 mL FAA / L). The treatment was repeated 5 times, to obtain 25 experimental units. Observation parameters in the study were plant height, number of tillers, and N uptake of rice leaves. The results showed that the application of FAA with a dose of 1 mL FAA / L was able to increase the height of rice plants by 5.5%, produced an average number of tillers of 14 tillers, and was able to increase nitrogen uptake by 9.6% in rice plant leaves.

Uptake and Utilization of Nitrogen from Organic Fertilizers Influenced by Different Doses of Copper

Copper is a microelement involved in the metabolism of nitrogen compounds in plants. Good utilization of nitrogen from soil and fertilizers by plants requires an adequate supply of copper. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of increasing levels of copper (100, 200, and 300 mg Cu·kg−1 of soil) applied together with various organic fertilizers (cattle manure, chicken manure, and spent mushroom substrate) on nitrogen content and uptake by cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and the coefficient of nitrogen utilization from organic fertilizers. The pot experiment was carried out in three growing seasons (May–September) in greenhouse, and in this cocksfoot was grown and harvested four cuts in each year. Copper and organic fertilizers were applied once in the first year before sowing cocksfoot, and the after-effect was investigated in the second and third years. Application of different amounts of copper did not influence the nitrogen content in the biomass of cocksfoot. At the same time, soil application of this micronutrient in the amount of 100 mg Cu∙kg−1 of soil caused an increase in nitrogen uptake in the biomass of cocksfoot. Application of 100 and 200 mg Cu·kg−1 of soil caused an increase in the coefficient of nitrogen utilization from the organic fertilizers, which was highest effect in the case of cattle manure. All of the organic materials used increased the content of nitrogen and its uptake by cocksfoot, but the greatest effect was noted following application of chicken manure. The study showed no synergistic or antagonistic relationships between copper and nitrogen.