scholarly journals The intersection of nitrogen nutrition and water use in plants: new paths toward improved crop productivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (15) ◽  
pp. 4452-4468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren C Plett ◽  
Kosala Ranathunge ◽  
Vanessa J Melino ◽  
Noriyuki Kuya ◽  
Yusaku Uga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Nitrogen Nutrition ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Membrane Transporters ◽  
Nitrogen Transport ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Root Barriers

Abstract Water and nitrogen availability limit crop productivity globally more than most other environmental factors. Plant availability of macronutrients such as nitrate is, to a large extent, regulated by the amount of water available in the soil, and, during drought episodes, crops can become simultaneously water and nitrogen limited. In this review, we explore the intricate relationship between water and nitrogen transport in plants, from transpiration-driven mass flow in the soil to uptake by roots via membrane transporters and channels and transport to aerial organs. We discuss the roles of root architecture and of suberized hydrophobic root barriers governing apoplastic water and nitrogen movement into the vascular system. We also highlight the need to identify the signalling cascades regulating water and nitrogen transport, as well as the need for targeted physiological analyses of plant traits influencing water and nitrogen uptake. We further advocate for incorporation of new phenotyping technologies, breeding strategies, and agronomic practices to improve crop yield in water- and nitrogen-limited production systems.

scholarly journals Revisiting Sulphur—The Once Neglected Nutrient: It’s Roles in Plant Growth, Metabolism, Stress Tolerance and Crop Production

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 626
Author(s):  
Tinashe Zenda ◽  
Songtao Liu ◽  
Anyi Dong ◽  
Huijun Duan
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Abiotic Stresses ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Plant Phenotyping ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Sulphur Nutrition ◽  
Physiological Processes

Sulphur plays crucial roles in plant growth and development, with its functions ranging from being a structural constituent of macro-biomolecules to modulating several physiological processes and tolerance to abiotic stresses. In spite of these numerous sulphur roles being well acknowledged, agriculture has paid scant regard for sulphur nutrition, until only recently. Serious problems related to soil sulphur deficiencies have emerged and the intensification of food, fiber, and animal production is escalating to feed the ever-increasing human population. In the wake of huge demand for high quality cereal and vegetable diets, sulphur can play a key role in augmenting the production, productivity, and quality of crops. Additionally, in light of the emerging problems of soil fertility exhaustion and climate change-exacerbated environmental stresses, sulphur assumes special importance in crop production, particularly under intensively cropped areas. Here, citing several relevant examples, we highlight, in addition to its plant biological and metabolism functions, how sulphur can significantly enhance crop productivity and quality, as well as acclimation to abiotic stresses. By this appraisal, we also aim to stimulate readers interests in crop sulphur research by providing priorities for future pursuance, including bettering our understanding of the molecular processes and dynamics of sulphur availability and utilization in plants, dissecting the role of soil rhizospherical microbes in plant sulphur transformations, enhancing plant phenotyping and diagnosis for nutrient deficiencies, and matching site-specific crop sulphur demands with fertilizer amendments in order to reduce nutrient use inefficiencies in both crop and livestock production systems. This will facilitate the proper utilization of sulphur in crop production and eventually enhance sustainable and environmentally friend food production.

scholarly journals Surface lime and silicate application and crop production system effects on physical characteristics of a Brazilian Oxisol

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 778
Author(s):  
G. S. A. Castro ◽  
C. A. C. Crusciol ◽  
C. A. Rosolem ◽  
J. C. Calonego ◽  
K. R. Brye
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Production System ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Forage Crop

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of crop rotations and soil acidity amelioration on soil physical properties of an Oxisol (Rhodic Ferralsol or Red Ferrosol in the Australian Soil Classification) from October 2006 to September 2011 in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Treatments consisted of four soybean (Glycine max)–maize (Zea mays)–rice (Oryza sativa) rotations that differed in their off-season crop, either a signal grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) forage crop, a second crop, a cover crop, or fallow. Two acid-neutralising materials, dolomitic lime (effective calcium carbonate equivalent (ECCE) = 90%) and calcium-magnesium silicate (ECCE = 80%), were surface applied to raise the soil’s base saturation to 70%. Selected soil physical characteristics were evaluated at three depths (0–0.1, 0.1–0.2, and 0.2–0.4 m). In the top 0.1 m, soil bulk density was lowest (P < 0.05) and macroporosity and aggregate stability index were greatest (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. Also, bulk density was lower (P < 0.05) and macroporosity was greater (P < 0.05) in the acid-neutralising-amended than the unamended control soil. In the 0.1–0.2-m interval, mean weight diameter and mean geometric diameter were greater (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. All soil properties evaluated in this study in the 0.2–0.4-m interval were unaffected by production system or soil amendment after five complete cropping cycles. Results of this study demonstrated that certain soil physical properties can be improved in a no-tillage soybean–maize–rice rotation using a forage crop in the off-season and with the addition of acid-neutralising soil amendments. Any soil and crop management practices that improve soil physical properties will likely contribute to sustaining long-term soil and crop productivity in areas with highly weathered, organic matter-depleted, acidic Oxisols.

scholarly journals Limiting transpiration rate in high evaporative demand conditions to improve Australian wheat productivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Collins ◽  
Scott Chapman ◽  
Graeme Hammer ◽  
Karine Chenu
Keyword(s):  
Transpiration Rate ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Climate Scenario ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Evaporative Demand ◽  
Lysimeter Experiment ◽  
Grain Filling Period

Abstract Limited-transpiration rate at high evaporative demand (‘LTR’ trait) has potential to improve drought adaptation, crop water productivity and food security. The quantification of the implications of LTR for water consumption, biomass accumulation and yield formation requires the use of dynamic crop modelling to simulate physiological and environmental processes and interactions in target environments. Here, a new transpiration module was developed for the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM NextGen) and used to simulate atmospheric and edaphic water stress on wheat crops. This module was parameterised with (i) data from a lysimeter experiment assessing genotypic variability in the LTR trait for four genotypes contrasting in transpiration efficiency, and with (ii) a more pronounced response to high evaporative demand. The potential of the LTR trait for improving crop productivity was investigated across the Australian wheatbelt over 1989-2018. The LTR trait was simulated to allow an increase in national yield by up to 2.6%, mostly due to shift in water use pattern, alleviation of water deficit during grain filling period and a higher harvest index. Greatest productivity gains were found in the northeast (4.9%, on average) where heavy soils allow the conserved water with the LTR trait to be available later at more critical stages. The effect of the LTR trait on yield was enhanced under the future climate scenario, particularly in the northeast. Limiting transpiration at high evaporative demands appears to be a promising trait for selection by breeders, especially in drought-prone environments where crops heavily rely on stored soil moisture.

scholarly journals Mitigating the adverse effects of deficit fertigation on strawberry yield, quality and phytochemical compounds by salicylic acid and putrescine treatments

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Asghari ◽  
Feridoun Ahmadi ◽  
Ramin Hajitagilou
Keyword(s):  
Salicylic Acid ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Fruit Growth ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Phytochemical Compounds

BACKGROUND: For global water shortage concerns and high cost of mineral nutrients it is necessary to decrease the amount of nutrient solutions in greenhouse production systems. Deficit fertigation may negatively affect the crop productivity and phytohormones can mitigate the adverse effects of stresses. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effects of deficit fertigation in combination with salicylic acid (SA) and putrescine (PUT) on strawberry fruit yield and quality. METHODS: Strawberry plants were fertilized with a complete nutrient solution of 220 (control), 180 (mild deficit fertigation) and/or 140 mL/dD (severe deficit fertigation), and treated with PUT (at 0 and 2 mM) and/or SA (at 0 and 2 mM) and the combinations of these treatments during growth stages. Fruit growth, quality parameters, yield and phytochemical compounds were evaluated at harvest. RESULTS: Mild deficit fertigation (MDF) (140 mL/d) significantly enhanced the yield and quality of the fruit, and both PUT and SA, enhanced the positive effects of MDF on crop productivity. SA and PUT decreased the negative effects of DF on crop yield and fruit growth. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that it is possible to substantially enhance the quality and productivity of strawberries with a MDF regime, and PUT and SA treatments.

Participatory research in dryland cropping systems — monitoring and simulation of soil water and nitrogen in farmers' paddocks in Central Queensland

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Foale ◽  
M. E. Probert ◽  
P. S. Carberry ◽  
D. Lack ◽  
S. Yeates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Behaviour ◽  
On Farm

Collaboration of researchers and service-providers with farmers in addressing crop and soil management, using on-farm experiments and cropping system simulation, was negotiated in 2 districts in Central Queensland, Australia. The 2 most influential variables affecting crop productivity in this region (soil water and mineral nitrogen contents) and the growth of sown crops, were monitored and simulated for 3 years beginning in December 1992. Periodic soil sampling of large experimental strips on 3 farms, from paddocks that differed in cropping history and soil properties, provided robust datasets of change, over time, of soil water and mineral nitrogen status. Farmers participated in twice-yearly discussions with researchers, informed by the accumulating data, which influenced thinking about soil behaviour and possible new management strategies. As the study period coincided with a prolonged drought, so that cropping opportunities were few, the objectives of the work were modified to concentrate almost exclusively on the soil variables.The contribution of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator, which was used to simulate the measured changes in soil water and mineral nitrogen, was found by all participants to be useful. The APSIM output generally demonstrated close correspondence with field observations, which raised confidence in its applicability to local cropping systems. Exploration of hypothetical situations of interest to farmer participants, in the form of what-if scenarios, provided insights into the behaviour of the production system for a range of soil and seasonal conditions. The informed speculation of the simulator became a substitute for the farmers' own, more tentative, efforts.The regular participative review sessions proved to be highly effective in stimulating the learning of both farmers and researchers. The farmers were able to feel comfortable as owners of the collaborative experiments and custodians of the learning environment. Clear evidence for the ongoing learning of these farmers appeared in post-collaboration practices and experiences.

scholarly journals Seed Priming: A Potential Supplement in Integrated Resource Management Under Fragile Intensive Ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Siva Devika ◽  
Sonam Singh ◽  
Deepranjan Sarkar ◽  
Prabhakar Barnwal ◽  
Jarupula Suman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Productivity Cost ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Set Up

A majority of agricultural activities are conducted under fragile lands or set-up. The growth and development of crops are negatively affected due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current situation, research efforts have been diverted toward the short-term approaches that can improve crop performance under changing environments. Seed treatment or priming technology is in a transition phase of its popularity among resource-poor farmers. Suitable policy intervention can boost low-cost techniques to implement them on a larger scale in developing countries and to harness the maximum benefits of sustainable food production systems. Primed seeds have high vigor and germination rate that help in seedling growth and successful crop stand establishment under stress conditions. This review is attempted to assess different seed priming techniques in terms of resource use efficiency, crop productivity, cost–benefit balance, and environmental impacts. Moreover, a comprehensive study of the mechanisms (physiological and biochemical) of seed priming is also elaborated. A detailed examination of the applications of priming technology under diverse agroecosystems can improve our understanding of the adaptive management of natural resources.

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