Nitrogen Requirement Of Plants Research Articles

Emergence delay effect on maize (Zea mays L.) nitrogen uptake

AbstractSpatial and temporal variability in plant emergence may cause differences in nitrogen (N) uptake by crops leading to a mismatch between plant nitrogen requirements and nitrogen supply, with negative environmental and economic impacts. We aimed to understand N uptake and concentration (%) in unevenly emerged plants by conducting experiments in pre‐determined yield stability zones (YSZs) in three farmers’ fields planted to maize (Zea mays L.). We found that maize emergence ranged from 64 to 124.1°C day, with significant variability between YSZ in two of three fields. Maize biomass plant‐to‐plant variation decreased from maize six leaves stage (V6) to maize silking stage (R1). At maize physiological maturity (R6), biomass ranged from 54 to 736 g plant−1 and was significantly affected by YSZ (p < 0.001). In the cases where late‐emerging plants accumulated less N than early emerging plants, this led to altered N partitioning within the plant (i.e., nitrogen harvest index decrease). Although N concentration in the grains remained unaffected by late emergence, the N concentration in the biomass increased. This was likely due to a reduced total biomass and the lack of a N sink (i.e., less yield per plant due to less grain per plant). The absence of variations in N utilization across emergence classes, coupled with the significant impact observed in the YSZ, reinforces the advantages of focusing on N management fitted to YSZ. Understanding the impact that the spatial and temporal variation of plant emergence has on maize N uptake is important in helping to improve N input prescription maps, N‐use efficiency, and reduce N losses to the environment.

Soil Properties and Yield of Peppermint (Mentha Piperita L.) in Response to Different Nitrogen Fertilizers Under Water-Deficit Conditions

ABSTRACT Drought and lack of nutrients (including nitrogen) limit crop production in arid and semi-arid regions, including Iran. In order to investigate the combined effect of nitrogen fertilizer sources (organic and chemical) under low water stress on soil properties, biological yield and peppermint essential oil, a three-year experiment was conducted during the spring and summer of the years (2017–2019) in the semi-arid region of Iran. The experiment was conducted as split plots in the form of randomized complete blocks with three replications. Experimental treatments include three irrigation regimes (irrigation after draining 25, 40 and 55% of usable water in the root zone) as the main factor and six fertilizer treatments based on plant nitrogen requirements (100% Chemical, No fertilizer, 50% Chemical + 50% Azocompost, 100% Vermicompost, 100% Azocompost, 50% Chemical + 50% Vermicompost) as sub-factors. The results showed that water-deficit conditions decreased organic carbon, total nitrogen content, soil phosphorus and potassium and biological yield and increased the percentage of peppermint essential oil. Also, in most of the treatment compositions of irrigation regime, the application of organic fertilizer (especially pure vermicompost and azocompost treatments) or combination with chemical fertilizer the increase organic carbon, macronutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and micro (iron and zinc) in soil solution, causing improved biological yield and essential oil content and moderated the effects of water-deficit stress on peppermint. These practical measures can help save water and fertilizer consumption while promoting the production of healthy medicinal products over the course of three years.

Innovative fertilizers and soil amendments based on hydrochar from brewery waste

Hydrothermal carbonization is one of the new ways to produce valuable products from waste materials. The aim of this study was to develop a novel method for the production of hydrochars from brewery residues for agricultural applications. Waste materials treated at 140 °C, 170 °C, and 200 °C were used as a source of renewable nitrogen and as delivery agents of fertilizer microelements (Cu, Mn, and Zn). HTC materials were enriched with nutrients using an innovative spray sorption method. The surface texture was characterized by the nitrogen adsorption technique, functional groups were identified (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis of the materials was performed. Preliminary germination tests have shown phytotoxic effects at doses greater than 20% (relative to plant nitrogen requirements) for unenriched hydrochars. To minimize inhibition of plant growth, air aging tests were conducted for 30 days, followed by successive drying at 110 °C for 72 h. It was observed that the higher the temperature of the carbonization process, the faster the desorption of components in a solution simulating soil conditions (NaNO3) occurs. The pot tests on cucumber (Cornichon de Paris) showed that the biometric parameters of the plant (stem length and root ball parameters) for the hydrochar obtained at 170 °C were higher than in the group fertilized with mineral fertilizer. Twice the fresh plant mass was noted for this group compared to the reference. In addition, the study recorded a particular increase in nitrogen content in plants fertilized with a 150% dose of enriched hydrochar, where the element content increased by about 100% compared to the group with mineral fertilizer applied (100% dose). The study shows that properly prepared hydrochars from brewery waste offer great potential as a nitrogen source and micronutrient delivery agents for the agrochemical sector.Graphical Innovative fertilizers and soil amendments based on hydrochar from brewery waste

Hydrolysis of fish waste using fruit wastes of Ananas comosus and Carica papaya for the formulation of liquid fertilizers

Purpose Fish waste is a protein-rich source that can be used as a value-added product in the formulation of organic liquid fertilizers. This study carried out to investigate the utilizing potential of fruit wastes of Ananas comosus and Carica papaya that contain bromelain and papain as major proteases in order to hydrolyze fish waste proteins to fulfill plant nitrogen requirements. Method Proteases were extracted from A. comosus (leaves, crown, unripe fruit pulp, ripe fruit peels and pulp) and C. papaya (leaves, ripe fruit peels and unripe fruit peels). The optimum temperature and pH for the enzymatic activities were determined. Four liquid organic fertilizers were produced with hydrolyzed fish waste that enriched by adding Gliricidia sepium, Chromolaena odorata, Tithonia diversifolia, Mikania scandens and coconut husk-ash. Fertilizers were tested on the growth of Basella alba comparing with a standard fertilizer. Results Ananas comosus ripe fruit peels and the mixture of (A. comosus + C. papaya) showed the highest enzyme activities (0.33±0.02 and 0.36±0.01 U mL-1 enzyme respectively) at 55 oC and 70 oC. The optimum pH for all the studied extracts was 7.5 at 37 oC. The highest plant fresh and dry weights were recorded in the foliar-applied fertilizer produced by hydrolyzing the fish waste using A. comosus and C. papaya, showing no significant differences to the standard fertilizer. Conclusion Hydrolysis of fish waste using the fruit wastes of A. comosus and C. papaya could be effectively used as an organic fertilizer for the growth of B. alba that leads towards sustainable waste management.

Controlled-release urea improved rice yields by providing nitrogen in synchrony with the nitrogen requirements of plants.

Excessive application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and low nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) are prevalent problems in rice production. Controlled-release urea (CRU) is widely adopted to increase rice yields, but the synchronicity of N release from CRU with uptake of N by plants has rarely been studied. A 2-year field experiment involving CRU and urea applications at three different N rates (240, 192 and 144 kg N ha-1 , equal to 100%, 80% and 60% of the recommended rate, respectively) was performed to compare their effects on N uptake, soil N content and rice yields. The successive release curves of CRU in the soil matched the corresponding N uptake curves of rice plants, and significant linear correlations were observed. Grain yield and N uptake under the CRU treatment increased by 5.25-7.88% and 7.13-17.94% than urea treatments, at the same N rate, and no obvious difference was found between CRU60% and Urea100%. CRU80% and CRU60% presented the highest NUE. The contents of ammonium-nitrogen (NH4 + -N), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3 - -N), and total N and the chlorophyll relative value - SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) values - of the leaves under the CRU treatments were significantly higher than those under the urea treatments from heading to harvest. The contents of exchangeable sodium ion (Na+ ) and calcium ion (Ca2+ ) and the cation exchange capacity increased in response to CRU. CRU increased rice yields by providing N strongly in synchrony with the N requirements of the plants, and applying CRU at 192 kg N ha-1 was an effective strategy to conserve N fertilizer, increase soil N contents and enhance NUE. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on production and qualitative properties of sown grasslands in the system of sustainable production

Nitrogen fixation in grass-leguminous mixtures is not sufficient to satisfy the nitrogen requirements of plants, therefore it is necessary to compensate this deficiency by nitrogen from mineral fertilizers. Objective of this study is to present the effect of N application in grass-leguminous mixtures on their production and qualitative properties, i.e. to give an answer to the question if application of nitrogen fertilizers results in the increase or decrease of yield, quality and changes in the structural composition of the grassland. N from mineral fertilizers, especially considerable amounts of nitrogen, changes the structural composition of grasslands - the share of leguminous plants decreases and share of grasses increases. Yield of dry matter increases with added nitrogen fertilizers. The amounts of nitrogen fertilizer which exceed the requirements of plants reduce the economical justification of fertilization and sometimes can have even opposite effect. Nitrogen fertilization increases the content of crude proteins and protein yield, whereas other quality parameters decrease or remain unchanged. Too much nitrogen in crops leads to nitrate accumulation in plants which is undesirable quality parameter.

The model symbiotic association between Medicago truncatula cv. Jemalong and Rhizobium meliloti strain 2011 leads to N-stressed plants when symbiotic N2 fixation is the main N source for plant growth

A better knowledge of the nitrogen nutrition of Medicago truncatula at the whole plant level and its modulation by environmental factors is a crucial step to reach a complete understanding of legume nitrogen nutrition. This study was based on the symbiotic system that is the most commonly used by the research community (M. truncatula cv. Jemalong A17 x Rhizobium meliloti strain 2011). Plant nitrogen nutrition was analysed in relation to carbon nutrition, under a range of nitrate concentrations in the nutrient solution and different light conditions. This study shows that this 'model symbiotic association' does not allow the plant to meet its nitrogen requirements, when dinitrogen fixation is the main nitrogen source for plant growth. A strong interaction between nitrogen and carbon nutrition was shown: when plant nitrogen requirements were not sustained, plant leaf area was much affected whereas photosynthesis per unit leaf area remained relatively stable. Both total nitrogen uptake and leaf area increased with increasing nitrate concentration in the nutrient solution; the magnitude of these responses varied according to the light conditions. Interestingly, the plant nitrogen nutrition level remained nearly unaffected by the light conditions. The observed nitrogen-limitation in this 'model symbiotic association' is an important finding for the research community. Based on practical recommendations regarding both the experimental conditions and the phenotypic traits to consider, a methodological framework was proposed to (i) help genomicists to assess plant nitrogen nutrition better, and (ii) assist in the detection of new genetic variants affected for nitrogen uptake in large-scale phenotyping studies.

Molecular mechanisms of ammonium transport and accumulation in plants

The integral membrane proteins of the ammonium transporter (AMT/Rh) family provide the major route for shuttling ammonium ( NH 4 + / NH 3 ) across bacterial, archaeal, fungal and plant membranes. These proteins are distantly related to the Rh (rhesus) glycoproteins, which are absent in higher plants, but are present in many species, including bacteria and mammals. It appears that the large nitrogen requirement of plants resulted in unique strategies to acquire, capture and/or release ammonium. The biological function of plant ammonium transporters will be discussed and compared to other AMT/Rh proteins.

Differential responses of root uptake kinetics of NH4+ and NO3− to enriched atmospheric CO2 concentration in field‐grown loblolly pine

ABSTRACTThe nitrogen requirement of plants is predominantly supplied by NH4+ and/or NO3− from the soil solution, but the energetic cost of uptake and assimilation is generally higher for NO3− than for NH4+. We found that CO2 enrichment of the atmosphere enhanced the root uptake capacity for NO3−, but not for NH4+, in field‐grown loblolly pine saplings. Increased preference for NO3− at the elevated CO2 concentration was accompanied by increased carbohydrate levels in roots. The results have important implications for the potential consequences of global climate change on plant‐and ecosystem‐level processes in many temperate forest ecosystems.

Effect of phenylphosphorodiamidate on urea hydrolysis, ammonia volatilization and rice growth in an alkali soil

In order to improve nitrogen recovery by rice, the effect of a urease inhibitor phenylphosphorodiamidate (PPD) on the efficiency of fertilizer urea was studied in laboratory and greenhouse. Addition of PPD to urea (5% w/w) delayed urea hydrolysis by 3 to 4 days and reduced ammonia volatilization from 45% (without PPD) to 8.5% (with PPD). Ammonia volatilization obeyed first order kinetics. Urea hydrolysis was sufficiently strongly inhibited to match the nitrification potential of the soil. N application to rice by three different modes showed that a delayed mode (4 splits) was superior to two conventional modes (3 splits) in nitrogen recovery and fertilizer efficiency since it met nitrogen requirement of plants at reproductive stage. In 2 out of 3 modes of application, there was a 14% increase (relative) in grain yields and dry matter, and 6.8% increase in N uptake efficiency on application of PPD along with urea. The results indicate that urease inhibitors like PPD can be effectively used to block urea hydrolysis, reduce ammonia volatilization losses and improve N use efficiency by rice.

Soil plant nitrogen relations of tobacco at Mareeba, north Queensland

Nitrogen changes were studied in a red earth on which tobacco grew with very small additions of nitrogen fertilizer. Soil nitrate accumulation in the dry season before transplanting, and mineralization during the tobacco season, provided most of the plant's nitrogen requirements. Plant nitrogen uptake continued longer than in other countries, and the total amount was greater, particularly in stems and suckers. Though the plants gained nitrogen during the harvest period, leaf nitrogen concentration decreased. This resulted from translocation from lower leaves and growth of upper leaves. Decrease in leaf nitrogen concentration was essential to quality. The necessary sequence, of sufficient nitrogen for yield, followed by decreasing nitrogen availability for quality, occurs on this soil with small fertilizer additions. There is need for survey work on nitrogen availability and the time sequence of nitrogen uptake by plants on related Mareeba soils.

EFFECTS OF NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND ASH CONSTITUENTS OF ANANAS COMOSUS (L.) MERR.

The preferred nitrogenous fertilizer in commercial plantations of pineapples is ammonium sulfate, according to Johnson (16). When sulfate of ammonia is used, the ammonium ion is oxidized to nitrate by soil microbiological activity, with an associated increase in soil acidity which renders iron more soluble. At the same time, both ammonium and nitrate ions are generally simultaneously available to the pineapple roots. Sodium nitrate is generally inferior and usually produces an atypical light-green color in leaves and unripe fruit of the pineapple. When sodium nitrate is used under dry conditions, however, there may be accumulation of sodium bicarbonate in the soil as reported by Kelley and Thomas (17) caused by a greater rate of uptake of nitrate than of sodium by roots and by soil microflora, a phenomenon likely to cause precipitation of iron in the soil and associated plant chlorosis. Efficient nitrogen fertilization of pineapple plants depends greatly on an understanding of the interrelationships of nitrate and ammonium ions with (a) the inorganic nutrient complex of the soil, that is, the relative concentrations of nutrient elements other than N03~ or NH4+; (b) the activities of the microflora in the soil ; and (c) shifting of pH values, and changes of temperature and moisture affecting the concentrations of these ions in the soil. It is also important to know the nitrogen requirements of plants at different growth stages on the basis of nitrogen inventories within the soil and plant tissues. This paper reports plant weights attained by one-year-old Ananas comosus grown in solution cultures with 140.0 or 2.8 mg. of nitrogen in nitrate or ammonium form and the content of ash, water, relative electrical resistance, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron in the tissue.

Nitrogen Fixation in the Genus Lolium

THE results of some recent experiments suggest that it is highly probable that part of the nitrogen requirement of plants of the genus Lolium is met from atmospheric sources.