Urea N uptake efficiency of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in the presence of urease inhibitors

Improving nitrogen (N)-use efficiency of applied urea is critical to maximise its uptake and decrease environmental impact. Two glasshouse-based studies were conducted to investigate the potential of incorporating urea fertiliser with urease inhibitor (N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) or ‘Agrotain’) to enhance fertiliser N uptake efficiency. Topsoil (0–0.075 m, Typic Haplustepts silt loam) from a pasture site near Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand, was collected and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown from seed in standard plant trays maintained at soil moisture contents of 75–80% field capacity. Urea, Agrotain-treated urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, or sodium nitrate, were applied in granular form at rates equivalent to 25 or 50 kg N/ha with 4 replicates. Herbage was harvested 21 and 42 days after application of treatments to assess dry matter (DM) production, N uptake, leaf amino acid, ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3–) concentrations, and nitrate reductase activity (NRA). In a separate pot experiment, granular 15N urea (10 atom%) with or without Agrotain was applied to ryegrass at 25 kg N/ha. At 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 21 days after treatment application, 3 pots per treatment were destructively sampled to determine urea hydrolysis, herbage DM, and 15N uptake. In both experiments, Agrotain-treated urea improved bio-availability of added N and resulted in significantly higher herbage DM yield and N uptake than urea alone or other forms of N fertilisers. Agrotain-treated urea applied at 25 kg N/ha increased N response by 66% compared with urea alone (and by greater proportions compared with the other fertiliser forms). Agrotain-treated urea applied at 25 kg N/ha produced significantly higher uptake efficiency (13 g DM/g of applied N) than at 50 kg N/ha (5 g DM/g of applied N). Tissue amino acids, NH4+ and NO3– contents, and NRA were not significantly influenced by any type of fertiliser. Results from the 15N experiment support the suggestion that a delay in urea hydrolysis by Agrotain provided an opportunity for direct plant uptake of an increased proportion of the applied urea-N than in the case of urea alone. Treating urea with Agrotain thus has the potential to increase N-use efficiency and herbage production.

Download Full-text

Genotypic Variation in C and N Isotope Discrimination Suggests Local Adaptation of Heart-Leaved Willow

Tree Physiology ◽

10.1093/treephys/tpab010 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Hu ◽

Robert D Guy ◽

Raju Y Soolanayakanahally

Keyword(s):

Isotopic Composition ◽

Local Adaptation ◽

N Uptake ◽

Genotypic Variation ◽

Carbon Isotopic Composition ◽

Genotypic Differences ◽

Clinal Variation ◽

Trade Off ◽

Uptake Efficiency ◽

N Uptake Efficiency

Abstract Plants acquire multiple resources from the environment and may need to adjust and/or balance their respective resource-use efficiencies to maximize grow and survival, in a locally adaptive manner. In this study, tissue and whole-plant carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) and C/N ratios provided long-term measures of use efficiencies for water (WUE) and nitrogen (NUE), and a nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N) based mass balance model was used to estimate traits related to N uptake and assimilation in heart-leaved willow (Salix eriocephala Michx.). In an initial common garden experiment consisting of 34 populations, we found population level variation in δ13C, C/N and δ15N, indicating different patterns in WUE, NUE and N uptake and assimilation. Although there was no relationship between foliar δ13C and C/N ratios among populations, there was a significant negative correlation between these measures across all individuals, implying a genetic and/or plastic trade-off between WUE and NUE not associated with local adaptation. To eliminate any environmental effect, we grew a subset of 21 genotypes hydroponically with nitrate as the sole N-source, and detected significant variation in δ13C, δ15N and C/N ratios. Variation in δ15N was mainly due to genotypic differences in the nitrate efflux/influx ratio (E/I) at the root. Both experiments suggested clinal variation in δ15N (and thus N uptake efficiency) with latitude of origin, which may relate to water availability and could contribute to global patterns in ecosystem δ15N. There was a tendency for genotypes with higher WUE to come from more water replete sites with shorter and cooler growing seasons. We found that δ13C, C/N, and E/I were not inter-correlated, suggesting that selection of growth, WUE, NUE and N uptake efficiency can occur without trade-off.

Download Full-text

Effect of Different Levels of Urea Super Granule and Prilled Urea on the Crop Quality, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status of Broccoli

The Agriculturists ◽

10.3329/agric.v15i2.35461 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 24-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M J Hussain ◽

A J M S Karim ◽

A R M Solaiman ◽

M S Islam ◽

M Rahman

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Uptake ◽

N Uptake ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Comparative Performance ◽

Chlorophyll Contents ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Uptake Efficiency ◽

Prilled Urea ◽

N Uptake Efficiency ◽

Β Carotene

A field experiment was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during the period 2010-2011 to assess the effect of urea super granule (USG) and prilled urea (PU) on the quality attributes (Compactness coefficient, Vitamin C, β-carotene and chlorophyll contents) of broccoli, to assess the comparative performance of USG and PU on nutrient uptake and uptake efficiency of broccoli plant, to assess the effect of different forms and levels of urea N on the post harvest soil nutrient status of broccoli field and to select the better doses of USG and PU for quality broccoli production in Shallow Red-Brown Terrace Soil under Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications having 17 treatments constituted with different levels of urea super granule (USG) and prilled urea (PU) as- T1: N-control, T2: PU-N80, T3: PU-N100, T4: PU-N120, T5: PU-N140, T6: PU-N160, T7: PU-N180, T8: PU-N200, T9: PU-N220, T10: USG-N80, T11: USG-N100, T12: USG-N120, T13: USG-N140, T14: USG-N160, T15: USG-N180, T16: USG-N200, T17 and USG-N220 kg ha-1. Results revealed that the comparative performance of USG in relation to head quality (compactness coefficient, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and chlorophyll content), nutrient (NPKS) uptake and N uptake efficiency was found better as compared to PU. The compactness coefficient, β-carotene and chlorophyll contents were increased with increasing rate of N as well as USG and PU, but ascorbic acid content was slightly decreased with increasing rate of USG and PU. The maximum compactness coefficient (18.61) was found from the treatment USG-N180 that was followed by USG-N160 (18.24) and the highest β-carotene content (0.401 mg/100gFW) was found from USG-N160 followed by PU-N180 (0.40 mg/100gFW). Similarly the highest chlorophyll-a content (0.818 mg/100gFW) was found from USG-N180 followed by USG-N160 (0.814 mg/100gFW) and the highest chlorophyll-b content (1.141mg/100g FW) was recorded from USG-N180. The higher nutrient uptake and N uptake efficiency (108.531%) was obtained from USG treated plots over that of the PU. But N uptake efficiency was decreased with increasing rates of N fertilizer. But post harvest soil nitrogen status did not show any systematic trend although it was found higher in USG over PU. Similarly no remarkable changes were observed in post harvest soil P, K, S and B status for the crop. However, USG @ 160 kg N ha-1 (USG-N160) followed by USG-N140 and PU @ 180 kg N ha-1 (PU-N180) with other recommended doses of fertilizer could be suggested as USG and PU based fertilizer recommendation for a good quality broccoli production in terms of yield and quality in Silty Clay Loam Soil of Madhupur Tract.The Agriculturists 2017; 15(2) 24-39

Download Full-text

Enhancing the Urea-N Use Efficiency in Maize (Zea mays) Cultivation on Acid Soils Amended with Zeolite and TSP

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2008.68 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 394-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Osumanu H. Ahmed ◽

Aminuddin Hussin ◽

Husni M. H. Ahmad ◽

Anuar A. Rahim ◽

Nik Muhamad Abd. Majid

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Dry Matter ◽

N Uptake ◽

N Use Efficiency ◽

Ammonia Loss ◽

Uptake Efficiency ◽

N Uptake Efficiency ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

N Use

Ammonia loss significantly reduces the urea-N use efficiency in crop production. Efforts to reduce this problem are mostly laboratory oriented. This paper reports the effects of urea amended with triple superphosphate (TSP) and zeolite (Clinoptilolite) on soil pH, nitrate, exchangeable ammonium, dry matter production, N uptake, fresh cob production, and urea-N uptake efficiency in maize (Zea mays) cultivation on an acid soil in actual field conditions. Urea-amended TSP and zeolite treatments and urea only (urea without additives) did not have long-term effect on soil pH and accumulation of soil exchangeable ammonium and nitrate. Treatments with higher amounts of TSP and zeolite significantly increased the dry matter (stem and leaf) production of Swan (test crop). All the treatments had no significant effect on urea-N concentration in the leaf and stem of the test crop. In terms of urea-N uptake in the leaf and stem tissues of Swan, only the treatment with the highest amount of TSP and zeolite significantly increased urea-N uptake in the leaf of the test crop. Irrespective of treatment, fresh cob production was statistically not different. However, all the treatments with additives improved urea-N uptake efficiency compared to urea without additives or amendment. This suggests that urea amended with TSP and zeolite has a potential of reducing ammonia loss from surface-applied urea.

Download Full-text

Interactions between reserve mobilization and regulation of nitrate uptake during regrowth of Lolium perenne L.: putative roles of amino acids and carbohydrates

Botany ◽

10.1139/b08-066 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (10) ◽

pp. 1101-1110 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

S. Louahlia ◽

P. Laine ◽

J. H. MacDuff ◽

A. Ourry ◽

M. Humphreys ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Lolium Perenne ◽

Nitrate Uptake ◽

N Uptake ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Mineral N ◽

Physiological Basis ◽

Lolium Perenne L ◽

Amino Acid Concentrations

In most forage grass and legume species the recovery of leaf growth following severe defoliation depends on mobilization of carbon and nitrogen reserves from the remaining tissues. Unusually, Lolium perenne L. is able to compensate for low levels of available N storage compounds by rapid up-regulation of mineral N uptake. To investigate the physiological basis of this behaviour, perennial ryegrass plants were exposed to a 10 d period of optimal mineral N (high-N plants) or zero N (low-N plants) supply before defoliation. N deprivation decreased total N and amino acid concentrations in roots, and increased root water soluble carbohydrate concentrations. Compared with high-N plants (control), fructans and fructose concentrations in roots of low-N plants were 74% and 49% higher, respectively. Low-N plants had higher rates of nitrate uptake following defoliation, and lower amino acid concentrations in the roots (mainly as asparagine and glutamine); a causal role was suggested by the inhibition of nitrate uptake by external root supply of amino acids to low-N plants or by a stimulation of N uptake of high-N plants by sucrose supply to the roots. The results suggest that down-regulation of nitrate uptake following defoliation of plants with high levels of N reserves, may be effected through an increased cycling of amino acids within the plant and by a shortage of carbohydrates. Results are discussed in relation to the proteolytic activities and mobilization of C and N reserves to leaf meristem.

Download Full-text

Isotopic and Nonisotopic Estimation of Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency in Container-grown Woody Ornamentals

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.3.665 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 665-669 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

David R. Sandrock ◽

Timothy L. Righetti ◽

Anita N. Azarenko

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

Regression Line ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Tracer Method ◽

Total N ◽

Uptake Efficiency ◽

N Uptake Efficiency ◽

Total Plant ◽

Fertilizer N Uptake

Cornus sericea L., Weigela florida (Bunge) A. DC., and Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb were grown outside in 3.8-L plastic containers for 345 days (1 Apr. 2001 to 11 Mar. 2002). Nitrogen (N) was applied at rates (NAR) of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg·L–1 and delivered as aqueous double-labeled 15N depleted NH4NO3 (min 99.95% atom 14N). In all species, root, shoot, and total plant dry weight increased with increasing NARs while root to shoot ratios decreased. Similarly, root, shoot, and total plant N increased with NAR for each species, and at each NAR more N was stored in the roots than in the shoots. Estimation of fertilizer N uptake determined by the total N method was higher for all species and at each NAR than estimation of N uptake determined by the fertilizer 15N tracer method. Fertilizer N uptake efficiency determined by the total N method was highest at 25 mg·L–1 and decreased as NARs increased. In contrast fertilizer N uptake efficiency determined by the fertilizer 15N tracer method was lowest at 25 mg·L–1 and increased or remained relatively constant as NARs increased. Differences in N uptake and N uptake efficiency can be attributed to overestimation by the total N method due to the inclusion of nonfertilizer N and underestimation by the fertilizer 15N tracer method due to pool substitution. Corrected N uptake efficiency values can be calculated by adjusting the original data (total N or 15N uptake) by the distance between the origin and the y intercept of the regression line representing the data.

Download Full-text

Trichoderma-Based Biostimulants Modulate Rhizosphere Microbial Populations and Improve N Uptake Efficiency, Yield, and Nutritional Quality of Leafy Vegetables

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2018.00743 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Nunzio Fiorentino ◽

Valeria Ventorino ◽

Sheridan L. Woo ◽

Olimpia Pepe ◽

Armando De Rosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Quality ◽

N Uptake ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Microbial Populations ◽

Uptake Efficiency ◽

N Uptake Efficiency

Download Full-text

Productivity and nitrogen use efficiency parameters in cotton cultivars with varying N levels and soil types under rainfed conditions

Acta Agronomica Hungarica ◽

10.1556/aagr.55.2007.3.15 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 383-391 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Venugopalan ◽

K. Hebbar ◽

P. Tiwary ◽

S. Chatterji ◽

V. Ramamurthy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

N Uptake ◽

Utilization Efficiency ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

Uptake Efficiency ◽

N Uptake Efficiency ◽

N Utilization ◽

Rainfed Conditions ◽

Use Efficiency

A field experiment was conducted under rainfed conditions, on a shallow soil (Inceptisol) underlain with weathered basalt and on a deep soil (Vertisol) to evaluate three cotton cultivars [AKH 4 ( Gossypium arboreum ), LRK 516 ( G. hirsutum ) and NHH 44 (intra- hirsutum hybrid)] under four levels of N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha −1 ) and to analyse the variations in productivity using the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) parameter. The yield of AKH4 and NHH 44 was 101 and 89% higher than that of LRK 516. The yield and the response to N were higher on the Inceptisol. The enhanced yield and NUE of AKH 4 and NHH 44 were attributed to the improved efficiency of N uptake utilization. NUE declined from 21.6 at 40 kg ha −1 to 7.7 at 120 kg N ha −1 . The N uptake efficiency and N utilization efficiency were independent of each other, but complemented each other in improving NUE. The implications of variations in NUE, N uptake efficiency and N utilization efficiency and their components, N biomass production efficiency and HI, in cotton breeding and agronomy are also discussed.

Download Full-text