Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency Research Articles

EFFECT OF SOWING METHOD AND N APPLICATION ON SEED YIELD AND N USE EFFICIENCY OFWINTER OILSEED RAPE

In the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe, the cultivation of winter rapeseed crops after winter wheat usually leads to a delay in sowing the latter and deterioration of autumn plant development. Based on data from a field experiment conducted in 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019, the aim of this study was to investigate how sowing delay affects seed yield, nitrogen uptake by seeds and significant efficiency of nitrogen use by winter rape plants; to check the ability of autumn and spring application of nitrogen fertilizers to compensate for the negative impact of delays in sowing crops; and estimate the minimum autumn development for optimal seed yield. To solve the set tasks, a combination of four sowing dates (from the first week of August to the third week of September) and four autumn nitrogen applications (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg / ha per year) was fixed. In each of these 16 variants, nitrogen application was performed 5 times in the spring (0/0, 40/40, 80/80, 120/120, 140/140 kg / ha, etc.) in order to estimate the individual nitrogen reaction curves. Nitrogen accumulation by aboveground mass of plants in autumn, seed yield and nitrogen uptake by seeds were determined. It was found that sowing the crop after mid-September significantly reduced yields. Application of nitrogen fertilizers in autumn in the amount of at least 30 kg / ha per year increased the yield and absorption of nitrogen seeds without any significant interaction with the sowing period and spring application of nitrogen fertilizers. Increasing the dose of spring fertilizer application to 130 kg / ha increased seed yield. Nitrogen utilization efficiency decreased with increasing application rate when winter oilseed rape plants used nitrogen applied in the fall to a lesser extent than in the spring. In order to achieve high yields, it was necessary for the above-ground mass of plants to absorb nitrogen at the level of at least 10-15 kg / ha at the end of the autumn vegetation. From an ecological point of view, the optimal autumn development of plants should be achieved by choosing an adequate sowing date, rather than using additional nitrogen in autumn.

Responses of photosynthetic characteristics and enzyme activity of nitrogen metabolism to low nitrogen in maize with different nitrogen tolerance

Understanding the physiological processes associated with leaf photosynthetic characteristics and nitrogen (N) assimilation during grain-filling stage are helpful for enhancing nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) of maize. In this study, the leaf photosynthetic and N assimilation parameters in maize, including Zhengdan 958 (ZD958), a low-N tolerance cultivar and Huanong 138 (HN138), a low-N sensitive cultivar under different N rates were examined. Results showed that ZD958 displayed significant increases on grain yield and NUtE than that in HN138. Analyses on the leaf photosynthetic and N assimilation-associated processes indicated that ZD958 had higher leaf N remobilization (Rem N), net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and photosynthetic N use efficiency (PNUE) with respect to those of HN138 during grain-filling stage. In addition, ZD958 was also shown to be higher activities of leaf nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), nitrate reductase (GDH) and glutamine synthetase (GAGOT) than those of HN138. The leaf PNUE was significantly positively correlated with NR, GS, GDH, GOGAT suggesting that leaf PNUE and NR, GS, GDH, GOGAT jointly determined the N remobilization efficiency and the leaf N remobilization during post-silking. These results suggested that ZD958 possessed improved PNUE, NR and GS activities in leaves during grain-filling stage that contributes improve grain weights and yield formation capacities upon under low-N conditions. Keywords: low-N, photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation, nitrogen utilization efficiency, maize DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201306.5891 Citation: Ji P T, Cui Y W, Li X L, Xiao K, Tao P J, Zhang Y C. Responses of photosynthetic characteristics and enzyme activity of nitrogen metabolism to low nitrogen in maize with different nitrogen tolerance. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(6): 133–143.

Effects of biochar on ammonia volatilization from farmland soil: A review.

Reducing soil ammonia volatilization is one of the key ways to reduce soil nitrogen loss and improve nitrogen utilization efficiency in farmlands. Biochar has unique physico-chemical pro-perties, which can change soil physical and chemical properties, affect soil nitrogen cycle, and affect ammonia volatilization in farmland soil. Firstly, we reviewed the ammonia volatilization process and its influencing factors (climatic condition, soil environment, and fertilization management, etc.) in paddy fields and upland fields. Then, research progress on the impacts of biochar on ammonia volatilization from farmland ecosystem was reviewed. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the responses of ammonia volatilization to biochar intervention were discussed from the aspects of physical adsorption, gas-liquid equilibrium, and biochemical progress regulation. The reduction of soil ammonia volatilization is mainly based on the adsorption of soil NH4+ and NH3 by oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of biochar and the promotion of soil nitrification. How-ever, the increases of soil ammonia volatilization are mainly related to the increases of soil pH, air permeability, activities of microorganisms related with soil organic nitrogen mineralization. Finally, the research direction of reducing soil ammonia volatilization and improving nitrogen utilization efficiency by biochar was prospected.

The maize premature senesence2 encodes for PHYTOCHROME-DEPENDENT LATE-FLOWERING and its expression modulation improves agronomic traits under abiotic stresses.

Among the various abiotic stresses, water and nitrogen are major stress factors that limit crop productivity worldwide. Since leaf nutrients remobilization during leaf senescence might impact response to abiotic stress in crops, we undertook a forward screen of the Mutator‐active approach to identify premature senescence loci in maize. A mutant line isolated from a cross between a Pioneer Brand elite line and a public Mutator‐active material, designated premature senescence2 (pre2), expressed leaf senescence during flower initiation. The Pre2 gene encodes PHYTOCHROME‐DEPENDENT LATE‐FLOWERING (PHL) protein, a nuclear receptor coactivator. The pre2‐1 mutant allele was not a null mutation but produced a functional wild‐type transcript along with multiple mRNA species of varying lengths resulting from the alternate splicing of the Pre2 gene. The PHL accelerates flowering by suppressing the inhibitory effect of phyB on flowering in Arabidopsis (Endo et al., 2013). The ZmPRE2 polypeptide is highly conserved in plant species and has two identifiable motifs namely SPT20 and MED15. The Spt20 domain, which is a part of the SAGA (Spt‐Ada‐Gcn5 acetyltransferase) complex, is involved in histone deacetylation and MED15 proteins have nuclear functions in mediating DNA Pol II transcription. The differential spliced mature transcripts in both the pre2 alleles, as a result of transposon interference, were producing truncated proteins that lacked polyglutamine (Q) tract near the C‐terminus and might be causative of the premature senescence phenotype in maize. Endogenous gene suppression of ZmPre2 by RNAi improves maize agronomic performance under both water stress and suboptimal nitrogen conditions. The homozygous T‐DNA knockout of the pre2 homolog in Arabidopsis (At1G72390; the same insertional allele used by Endo et al., 2013) results in higher biomass, delayed maturity, enhanced tolerance to drought, and improved nitrogen utilization efficiency. The Arabidopsis mutant also showed hypersensitive response to 1 µM ABA (abscisic acid) concentration. These results indicate that the PHL protein plays a direct or indirect role in ABA‐dependent drought and N signaling pathways.

The effects of straw mulching combined with nitrogen applications on the root distributions and nitrogen utilization efficiency of summer maize

To provide an appropriate tillage fertilization model for improving N utilization efficiency and increasing production, the field experiments were conducted to study the effects on root distributions and N utilization efficiency of summer maize involving different straw mulching modes combined with N fertilization. No (N0), low (N1), medium (N2), and high (N3) levels of N fertilization were incorporated into soil combined with the surface coverage straw (Treatment B) and the deeply buried straw (Treatment S). The traditional cultivation was used as control treatment. The results shown that treatments S had significantly promoted deep root growth, and the root length density (RLD) increased with increases in N application rate. SN2 and SN3 treatments’ average RLD were significantly increased by 67.5% and 68.1% in the greater than 40 cm soil layers. While the Treatment B had significantly increased the RLD in 0 –30 cm soil layers only. With increases in N application rate, the effect on summer maize yields increase under Treatment B were not significantly, and only BN3 increased by 0.4%, while under Treatments S were found to first increase, and then decrease. The apparent recovery efficiency of applied N, N uptake and summer maize yield of SN2 had increased by 66.8%, 20.4%, and 9.3%. Therefore the rational tillage fertilization model was deeply buried straw combined with medium N fertilizer in Hetao Irrigation District.

15 Young Scholar Presentation: Impact of a Near Ideal Amino Acid Profile on the Efficiency of Nitrogen and Energy Utilization in Lactating Sows

Abstract The objective was to determine the efficiency of EAA and energy for lactation in sows and quantify their metabolic heat production fed a reduced protein diet. We hypothesized that feeding a reduced protein diet with near ideal AA profile (NIAA) and a leucine:lysine of 1.14 improves the dietary essential AA (EAA) and energy utilization efficiency and reduces the metabolic heat associated with lactation, compared to feeding diets containing leucine:lysine of 1.63. Three diets were formulated iso-calorically (2,580 kcal/kg net energy), including 1) control diet with a 1.63 leucine:lysine (CON; 18.75% CP), 2) optimal diet with NIAA profile and 1.14 leucine:lysine (OPT; 13.75% CP) by supplementing crystalline AA to minimum requirements; and 3) OPT diet with L-Leucine (Leu) supplementation to achieve CON Leu:Lys of 1.63 (OPTLEU; 14.25% CP). Experiment 1 was to estimate maximal biological efficiency value (MBEV) of EAA in lactating sows fed CON, OPT and OPTLEU diets. Feeding OPT diet improved efficiency of nitrogen (N) (79.1%), arginine (61.1%), His (78.3%), Ile (65.4%), Leu (75.1%), Met + Cys (78.2%), Phe (53.4%), Phe + Tyr (69.5%) and Trp (70.1%) and maximized the efficiency of Lys (63.2%), Met (67.9%), Thr (71.0%) and Val (57.0%) for milk production over a 21-day lactation. Experiment 2 was to estimate dietary energetic efficiency, energy partitioning and heat production in lactating sows fed CON, OPT and OPTLEU diets. Feeding OPT led to greater energy utilization for lactation due to less urinary energy and metabolic heat loss, and triggered dietary energy deposition into milk at the expense of maternal lipid mobilization. Feeding OPTLEU compared to OPT reduced energy utilization for lactation by directing dietary energy away from the mammary gland and towards maternal pool, in part explaining the efficacy of a NIAA diet over CON. Experiment 3 was to measure heat production in lactating sows fed CON and OPT diets and exposed to thermal neutral and HS environments. Sows fed OPT diet produced less metabolic heat and had lower body temperature when exposed to HS conditions compared to CON fed sows. In conclusion, feeding a diet with NIAA profile containing Leu:Lys of 1.14 improves EAA and energy utilization efficiency for lactation, and reduces the metabolic heat associated with lactation compared to feeding a diet with Leu:Lys of 1.63.

183 A blend of plant extracts (Actifor Pro) potentially reduced methane production in a dual-flow continuous culture system fed bermudagrass hay with or without corn gluten feed

Abstract Twelve dual-flow continuous culture fermenters (1.95 L) were used to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic feed additive (Actifor Pro, Delacon, Engerwitzdorf, Austria; ACT) on ruminal fermentation and methane production when fed high fiber diets, comprised of bermudagrass hay (BGH) with or without corn gluten feed (CGF). Fermenters were utilized in a generalized randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (n = 6): 1) diet (with or without CGF at 22% of diet DM) and 2) additive (with or without ACT at 1.0 g/L ACT). Two 10-d periods were conducted. Overall, comparing to no CGF, supplementation with CGF resulted in lower dry matter, organic matter, crude protein digestibility, microbial efficiency of nitrogen utilization, and methane production (mL of CH4/mol of total VFA), but increased neutral detergent fiber digestibility (all P ≤ 0.05). Diet × additive interactions were observed for molar proportion of acetate and propionate, and acetate-to-propionate ratio (A:P, all interactions P < 0.05), where inclusion of ACT increased acetate molar proportion and A:P (both P < 0.05), and decreased propionate molar proportion in diets with CGF (P = 0.05). A diet × additive interaction was also observed for methane production (ml of CH4/mol of total VFA; P = 0.08), where ACT decreased CH4 production per mol of VFA by 42% (P = 0.04), when only BGH was fed to the fermenters. In conclusion, CGF supplementation in BGH diets reduced methane production and improved fiber digestibility. The decrease in methane production per mol of VFA observed with ACT in the BGH without CGF diet warrants further investigation.

Transcriptome and genome sequencing elucidates the molecular basis for the high yield and good quality of the hybrid rice variety Chuanyou6203

The yield heterosis of rice is sought by farmers and strong contributes to food safety, but the quality of hybrid rice may be reduced. Therefore, developing new varieties with both high yield and good quality is a heavily researched topic in hybrid rice breeding. However, the molecular mechanism governing yield heterosis and high rice quality has not been elucidated to date. In this study, a comparative transcriptomics and genomic analysis was performed on a hybrid rice variety, Chuanyou6203 (CY6203), and its parents to investigate the molecular mechanism and gene regulation network governing the formation of yield and quality stages. A total of 66,319 SNPs and InDels between CH3203 and C106B were detected in the 5′-UTR, exon, intronic, and 3′-UTR regions according to the reference genome annotation, which involved 7473 genes. A total of 436, 70, 551, 993, and 1216 common DEGs between CY6203 and both of its parents were identified at the same stage in panicles and flag leaves. Of the common DEGs, the numbers of upregulated DEGs between CY6203 and CH3203 were all greater than those of upregulated DEGs between CY6203 and C106B in panicles and flag leaves at the booting, flowering, and middle filling stages. Approximately 40.61% of mRNA editing ratios were between 0.4 and 0.6, and 1.68% of mRNA editing events (editing ratio ≥ 0.8) in CY6203 favored one of its parents at three stages or a particular stage, suggesting that the hypothetical heterosis mechanism of CY6203 might involve dominance or epistasis. Also 15,934 DEGs were classified into 19 distinct modules that were classified into three groups by the weighted gene coexpression network analysis. Through transcriptome analysis of panicles and flag leaves in the yield and quality stages, the DEGs in the green-yellow module primarily contributed to the increase in the source of CY6203 due to an in increase in photosynthetic efficiency and nitrogen utilization efficiency, and a small number of DEGs related to the grain number added spikelet number per panicle amplified its sink. The balanced expression of the major high-quality alleles of C106B and CH3203 in CY6203 contributed to the outstanding quality of CY6203. Our transcriptome and genome analyses offer a new data set that may help to elucidate the molecular mechanism governing the yield heterosis and high quality of a hybrid rice variety.

Biodegradable Polymer Coated Granular Urea Slows Down N Release Kinetics and Improves Spinach Productivity.

Low nitrogen (N) utilization efficiency due to environmental N losses from fertilizers results in high-cost on-farm production. Urea coating with biodegradable polymers can prevent these losses by controlling the N release of fertilizers. We calculated N release kinetics of coated granular with various biodegradable polymeric materials and its impact on spinach yield and N uptake. Different formulations were used, (i) G-1: 10% starch + 5% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) + 5% molasses; (ii) G-2: 10% starch + 5% PVA + 5% paraffin wax (PW); (iii) G-3: 5% gelatin + 10% gum arabic + 5% PW; (iv) G-4: 5% molasses + 5% gelatin + 10% gum arabic, to coat urea using a fluidized bed coater. The morphological and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicated that a uniform coating layer with no new phase formation occurred. In the G-2 treatment, maximum crushing strength (72.9 N) was achieved with a slowed-down N release rate and increased efficiency of 31%. This resulted in increased spinach dry foliage yield (47%), N uptake (60%) and apparent N recovery (ANR: 130%) from G-2 compared to uncoated urea (G-0). Therefore, coating granular urea with biodegradable polymers is a good choice to slower down the N release rate and enhances the crop yield and N utilization efficiency from urea.

Effect of protein level and grain source on milk production, nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation in primiparous Holstein cows

AbstractThis study investigated whether the interaction of protein level and grain type can affect milk production, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation in primiparous Holstein cows. Four dietary treatments were used: high-protein with barley as the only grain source, HP-B; (2) high-protein with an equal mix of barley and maize, HP-BM; (3) low-protein with barley as the only grain source, LP-B and (4) low-protein with equal proportions of barley and maize, LP-BM. High-protein diets showed no improvement in milk or protein yield compared with low-protein, but barley and maize mix diets increased energy-corrected milk yield and fat yield compared with barley-only diets. The highest total apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre was observed for LP-BM whereas HP-BM showed the greatest crude protein digestibility. Treatment had no effect on total volatile fatty acid concentrations, molar proportion of acetate and propionate and acetate to propionate ratio. The lowest ruminal pH was observed for LP-B. High-protein diets resulted in greater concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (N), urinary N, blood and milk urea nitrogen compared with low-protein diets, whereas low-protein diets showed better nitrogen utilization efficiency. This study showed that primiparous lactating cows do not benefit from high-protein diets with different fermentation rates of grain sources, but barley and maize diets may improve milk production performance, ruminal fermentation and pH under the present dietary conditions. The current results on milk production performance should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of cows used (eight in each treatment).

Leaf width gene LW5/D1 affects plant architecture and yield in rice by regulating nitrogen utilization efficiency

Leaves are the primary structures responsible for photosynthesis, making leaf morphology one of the most important traits of rice plant architecture. Both plant architecture and nutrient utilization jointly affect rice yield, however, their molecular association is still poorly understood. We identified a rice mutant, leaf width 5 (lw5), that displayed small grains and wide leaves and possesses characteristics typical of a small “sink” and a large “source”. Map-based cloning and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing indicated that LW5 affects both the plant architecture and yield. It is an allele of D1, encoding the rice G protein α subunit. The loss of LW5 functioning leads to an increase in the rate of photosynthesis, vascular bundles, and chlorophyll content. However, the grain-straw ratio and the rate of grain filling decreased significantly. The detection results of 15N-ammonium nitrate and an expression analysis of genes associated with nitrogen demonstrated that LW5 serves an important role in nitrate uptake and transport. LW5 affects plant architecture and grain size by regulating nitrogen transfer. These results provide a theoretical foundation for further research surrounding the molecular mechanism of “source-sink” balance in rice and suggest novel methods of molecular design for the cultivation of breeding super rice in ideal plant types.

Coupling of Biochar with Nitrogen Supplements Improve Soil Fertility, Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency and Rapeseed Growth

Compensating nitrogen input and increasing nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) are necessary for sustainable crop production. Research studies on the co-application of biochar and nitrogen to promote rapeseed growth, soil fertility, and improve nutrient utilization efficiency are found to be limited. This study aims to examine the integral effects of biochar and nitrogen over soil fertility, rapeseed growth and nitrogen utilization efficiency. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design to assess various morphological, physiological and biochemical traits of rapeseed and soil chemical properties under the application of four nitrogen levels (0, 75, 225, and 450 kg ha−1 equivalent to 0, 133, 400 and 800 mg nitrogen pot−1) and four biochar levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 MT ha−1 equivalent to 0, 10, 20 and 30 g biochar pot−1 soil by weight basis). The results of this study showed that the integral application of biochar at 30 g pot−1 and nitrogen at 800 mg pot−1 at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and 60 days after sowing (DAS) compensated the amount of nitrogen and increased soil organic carbon (SOC 69%), total nitrogen accumulation (TNA) (93% and 62%), leaf biomass (60% and 33%), stem biomass (20% and 22%) and photosynthesis (20% and 17%) at 45 DAS and 60 DAS, respectively as compared to a single application of nitrogen. However, under the conditions of no nitrogen or 75 kg ha−1 nitrogen application, the application of biochar to promote the growth of rapeseed plants is limited due to the less nitrogen supply. In contrast, the application of nitrogen at 800 mg pot−1 and biochar at 10 or 20 g pot−1 showed that the growth of early seedlings was adversely affected due to high nitrogen concentration in soil. The findings of the present study imply that within the appropriate nitrogen application range, the interaction of biochar and nitrogen might have an economical approach towards better utilization of nitrogen and sustainable crop production.

Influence of nitrogen rates on the persistence of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) forage production

This work aimed at evaluating the influence of nitrogen rates on the persistence of ryegrass forage production during four agricultural years. The experiment was performed in the experimental area of the University of Cruz Alta, Brazil. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks, with four agricultural years (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016) × four harvesting times (first, second, third and fourth) × seven nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg ha-1), arranged in four replicates. The application of nitrogen on natural re-sowing ryegrass promotes the increase in dry biomass production across agricultural years. The use of nitrogen as topdressing showed little effect on the persistence of ryegrass plants in the four years of study. The efficiency of nitrogen utilization was inversely proportional to the increment of the nitrogen doses used. It is fundamental to understand the behavior of nitrogen fertilization in pastures with natural re-sowing and its effects on the persistence of the plants throughout agricultural years, as well as their participation in the sustainability of agricultural activity. Keywords: biomass production, Lolium multiflorum, urea, Brazil.

MYB61 is regulated by GRF4 and promotes nitrogen utilization and biomass production in rice

Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient that boosts carbon (C) metabolism and plant growth leading to biomass accumulation. The molecular connection between nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) and biomass production remains unclear. Here, via quantitative trait loci analysis and map-based cloning, we reveal that natural variation at the MYB61 locus leads to differences in N use and cellulose biogenesis between indica and japonica subspecies of rice. MYB61, a transcriptional factor that regulates cellulose synthesis, is directly regulated by a known NUE regulator GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR4 (GRF4), which coordinates cellulosic biomass production and N utilization. The variation at MYB61 has been selected during indica and japonica domestication. The indica allele of MYB61 displays robust transcription resulting in higher NUE and increased grain yield at reduced N supply than that of japonica. Our study hence unravels how C metabolism is linked to N uptake and may provide an opportunity to reduce N use for sustainable agriculture.

The Dependence of Cocksfoot Productivity of Liming and Nitrogen Application and the Assessment of Qualitative Parameters and Environmental Impact Using Biomass for Biofuels

In order to evaluate the liming and nitrogen efficiency of cocksfoot (Dactylisglomerata L.) productivity, a field experiment was performed in Western Lithuania’s naturally acidic Retisol area (55°43′ N, 21°27′ E). Based on seven years of research data, dry mass (DM) yield (including first and second cuttings) reliably varied depending on the growing year, from 4.57 to 7.34 t ha−1. The most significant and positive impact on DM yield was obtained by the application of higher liming (6.0 t ha−1 CaCO3) and nitrogen (120 kg ha−1) rates. Liming utilization efficiency (LUE) was affected by the year of growth (although not always significantly), with a 6.0 t ha−1 CaCO3 liming rate and nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) varied depending on the growing year and N fertilization rate. One of the most effective solutions for improving cocksfoot biomass is to prepare pressed granulated biofuel, which is potentially a good quality raw material for the direct combustion process. The execution and evaluation of technological parameters and properties of produced pellets revealed that cocksfoot pellet humidity reached 10.0% ± 0.6%, whereas pellet density was sufficiently high, and reached 983.8 ± 22.9 kgm−3 DM. The lower calorific value of cocksfoot pellets reached 17.7 MJkg−1. Ash content after pellet burning was relatively high, reaching 7.0–7.6%. Pellet ash melting temperatures were sufficiently high, with ash softening temperature (ST) reaching 1065 °C. Determined emissions of harmful gases from the burning of cocksfoot pellets (CO2, CO, SO2, NOx and unburnt hydrocarbons CxHy) did not exceed the permissible limits.

Effects of controlled-release urea on nitrogen uptake characteristics and yield of double-cropping rice around Dongting Lake area

<p indent=0mm>The application of slow- and controlled-release fertilizer in rice production plays an important role in promoting the zero growth of fertilizer use and the sustainable development of agriculture in China. In this study, six consecutive years from 2013 to 2018 of controlled-release urea application in double-cropping rice in Hunan province were used to analyze the relationship between N uptake rate and N utilization in the above part of early- and late- rice in the main growth period by controlled-release urea application around the Dongting Lake district, and to explore the reasons for the sustained and stable yield increase of controlled-release urea on rice. The results showed that there was an obvious peak of N uptake rate in each stage of early rice by different N treatments, while N uptake in controlled-release urea (CRU) treatment was relatively delayed. And N accumulation was mainly from panicle initiation stage to heading stage, accounting for 35.31%–42.33%, followed by tillering stage to young panicle differentiation stage and heading stage to milk stage. Two obvious peaks of N uptake rates occurred in late rice from tillering stage to panicle initiation stage and from heading stage to milk stage, and the peak value was the highest at 1.0 CRU treatment. Large amount of N uptake from tillering stage to young panicle differentiation stage and heading stage to milk stage accounted for 35.92%–40.52% and 23.05%–24.58% of total amount of the whole growing period, respectively. Controlled-release urea could also significantly increase the yield of double-cropping rice, especially in early- and late- rice were treated with 0.9 CRU and 0.8 CRU respectively, and the yield increase of late rice was better than that of early rice with reduced application of controlled-release urea, and the N absorption efficiency, N agronomic efficiency and N partial productivity of early- and late- rice were significantly improved. The yield of early- and late-rice treated by CRU was significantly positively correlated with N accumulation and effective panicle number at panicle initiation stage, heading stage, milk stage and waxen stage, and the yield of late rice was significantly positively correlated with panicle length. The N accumulation of early and late rice at the panicle initiation stage was significantly negatively correlated with the agronomic and physiological rates of N fertilizer. The N partial productivity was significantly or significantly negatively correlated with the N accumulation of early rice at the panicle initiation stage, heading stage, milk stage and waxen stage, and significantly negatively correlated with the N accumulation at the heading stage of late rice. Therefore, application of controlled-release urea delayed the N uptake rate and N accumulation in the aboveground part of rice, which was beneficial to the later reproductive growth and seed setting, and could significantly improve the yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of double-cropping rice. Combined with N absorption characteristics and grain yield of double-cropping rice, it was suggested that controlled release urea with a short release period should be used for early rice around the Dongting Lake area or applied with quick-availability N fertilizer to achieve further increase in yield level.

Strobilurin Effects on Nitrogen Use Efficiency for the Yield and Protein in Durum Wheat Grown Under Rainfed Mediterranean Conditions

In wheat, the increase in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and optimization of the nitrogen doses to be used are both very important aspects for improving sustainable and productive agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate, under rainfed Mediterranean conditions, the influence of strobilurin treatment and N fertilization on durum wheat N use efficiency for yield (NUEy) and protein (NUEp) and on the contribution of their components, nitrogen uptake efficiency (UPE) and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE). Two durum wheat cultivars (Saragolla and Sfinge) were grown for two years in field conditions under five nitrogen treatments (60 kg ha−1 N60; 90 and 120 kg ha−1 given two and three times; N90, N90T3, N120 and N120T3) comparing a control without strobilurin treatment (ST0) and one application of strobilurin (STaz). In Sfinge, STaz caused a decrease in UPE and NUEp and an increase in NUtE and NUEy. In Saragolla, the opposite behavior was observed. Moreover, strobilurin positively affected the contribution of UPE and negatively that of NUtE to NUEy only in Saragolla. Furthermore, strobilurin determined higher NUEy and NUEp values under most of the N treatments adopted in the drier year. With this study, we supported the hypothesis that in Mediterranean conditions, the possibility of reducing N rate application from 120 to 90 kg ha−1 with a strobilurin-based treatment, even in the absence of fungal diseases, could represent a useful agronomic strategy for durum wheat grown under drought conditions as those predicted under the ongoing climate change.

Association genetics of the parameters related to nitrogen use efficiency in Brassica juncea L.

Genome wide association studies allowed prediction of 17 candidate genes for association with nitrogen use efficiency. Novel information obtained may provide better understanding of genomic controls underlying germplasm variations for this trait in Indian mustard. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.) is low and most breeding efforts to combine NUE with crop performance have not succeeded. Underlying genetics also remain unexplored. We tested 92 SNP-genotyped inbred lines for yield component traits, N uptake efficiency (NUPEFF), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUTEFF), nitrogen harvest index (NHI) and NUE for two years at two nitrogen doses (No without added N and N100 added @100kg/ha). Genotypes IC-2489-88, M-633, MCP-632, HUJM 1080, GR-325 and DJ-65 recorded high NUE at low N. These also showed improved crop performance under high N. One determinate mustard genotype DJ-113 DT-3 revealed maximum NUTEFF. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) facilitated recognition of 17 quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Environment specificity was high. B-genome chromosomes (B02, B03, B05, B07 and B08) harbored many useful loci. We also used regional association mapping (RAM) to supplement results from GWAS. Annotation of the genomic regions around peak SNPs helped to predict several gene candidates for root architecture, N uptake, assimilation and remobilization. CAT9 (At1g05940) was consistently envisaged for both NUE and NUPEFF. Major N transporter genes, NRT1.8 and NRT3.1 were predicted for explaining variation for NUTEFFand NUPEFF, respectively. Most significant amino acid transporter gene, AAP1 appeared associated with NUE under limited N conditions. All these candidates were predicted in the regions of high linkage disequilibrium. Sequence information of the predicted candidate genes will permit development of molecular markers to aid breeding for high NUE.

Overexpression of Rice Genes OsNRT1.1A and OsNRT1.1B Restores Chlorate Uptake and NRT2.1/NAR2.1 Expression in Arabidopsis thaliana chl1-5 Mutant

Nitrogen uptake by plants is a key step for efficient nitrogen use, which affects plant growth and yield. Arabidopsis thaliana gene NRT1.1 was identified as a transporter related to nitrate (NO3−) signaling and uptake. In rice, three orthologs of NRT1.1, named OsNRT1.1A, OsNRT1.1B, and OsNRT1.1C, have been identified. This study evaluated the potential of OsNRT1.1A, OsNRT1.1B, and OsNRT1.1C in NO3− signaling and uptake through overexpression in the Arabidopsis chl1-5 mutant. The expression of OsNRT1.1A, OsNRT1.1B, and OsNRT1.1C was evaluated in the roots and shoots of rice cultivated with NO3− or NH4+. OsNRT1.1A was expressed in the roots and shoots cultivated with NO3− and NH4+. OsNRT1.1B was expressed predominantly in roots of rice cultivated with NO3−, while the expression of OsNRT1.1C was low in roots and shoots. Arabidopsis chl1-5 plants were transformed by the floral dip method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens to overexpress OsNRT1.1A and the alternative splicing product named OsNRT1.1As, OsNRT1.1B, and OsNRT1.1C. The chlorate test showed the ability of OsNRT1.1A, OsNRT1.1B or OsNRT1.1C to take up chlorate, as evidenced by the decrease in fresh weight. The OsNRT1.1B lineages presented higher toxicity to chlorate. Gene expression analyses showed that the insertion of OsNRT1.1A and OsNRT1.1B into Arabidopsis chl1-5 induced the expression of NRT2.1 and NAR2.1. OsNRT1.1As overexpression did not significantly affect the expression of NRT2.1 and NAR2.1. The results show the differential ability of NRT1.1 orthologs in rice to take up chlorate and signal the expression of other nitrate transporters, which may affect the efficiency of nitrogen utilization and its uptake.

Optimizing irrigation and fertilization can improve degraded saline soils and increase wheat grain yield

AbstractIn order to validate whether optimizing irrigation and fertilization can improve degraded saline soil and increase wheat production, a 4‐year wheat field experiment on saline soil in the Yellow River Delta of China was conducted from October 2013 to June 2017. Eight optimizing treatments including two irrigation applcations of 90 (I90) and 135 (I135) mm/time, four irrigation times: at pre‐sowing, wintering, jointing, filling stages, and two fertilizer rates 225 kg N hm−2‐75 P2O5 hm−2‐150 K2O hm−2 (F312), 225 kg N hm−2‐150 P2O5 hm−2‐75 K2O hm−2 (F321) with two basal/topdressing ratios 1:1 (A11) and 1:2 (A12) were designed compared with no‐irrigation and fertilization (CK) and farmer mode (CM). The optimizing treatment combined I135 with F321 and A12 was the optimal practice for wheat production on degraded saline soil in this region. This treatment significantly decreased topsoil salinity on average by 21.97%, increased wheat grain yield, topsoil total N, available P and K, respectively, by an average of 0.74‐, 0.75‐, 1.13‐ and 0.78‐times, improved water utilization efficiency, water productive efficiency, nitrogen utilization efficiency, phosphorus utilization efficiency, respectively, by average of 1.26‐, 8.13‐, 0.32‐, 0.43‐times compared with the CM. These results demonstrate that the optimization of irrigation and fertilization can be extensively applied as a feasible and effective strategy to improve degraded saline soil, maintain soil nutrients, maximize crop yield, and enhance efficiency in other similar degraded saline soil areas of the world.