scholarly journals The Endophytic Bacterial Microbiota Associated with Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Is Modulated by the Application of Chemical N Fertilizer to the Field

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cintia Mareque ◽  
Thais Freitas da Silva ◽  
Renata Estebanez Vollú ◽  
Martín Beracochea ◽  
Lucy Seldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sorghum Bicolor ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Sweet Sorghum ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Optimal Growth ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a multipurpose crop used as a feedstock to produce bioethanol, sugar, energy, and animal feed. However, it requires high levels of N fertilizer application to achieve the optimal growth, which causes environmental degradation. Bacterial endophytes, which live inside plant tissues, play a key role in the health and productivity of their host. This particular community may be influenced by different agronomical practices. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effects of N fertilization on the structure, diversity, abundance, and composition of endophytic and diazotrophic bacterial community associated with field-grown sweet sorghum. PCR-DGGE, quantitative PCR, and high-throughput sequencing were performed based on the amplification ofrrsandnifHgenes. The level of N fertilization affected the structure and abundance but not the diversity of the endophytic bacterial communities associated with sweet sorghum plants. This effect was pronounced in the roots of both bacterial communities analyzed and may depend on the physiological state of the plants. Specific bacterial classes and genera increased or decreased when the fertilizer was applied. The data obtained here contribute to a better understanding on the effects of agronomical practices on the microbiota associated with this important crop, with the aim to improve its sustainability.

Carbon footprint of crop production in China: an analysis of National Statistics data

2014 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 422-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. CHENG ◽  
M. YAN ◽  
D. NAYAK ◽  
G. X. PAN ◽  
P. SMITH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Paddy Rice ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Carbon Equivalent ◽  
Ghg Mitigation ◽  
Application Rates

SUMMARYAssessing carbon footprint (CF) of crop production in a whole crop life-cycle could provide insights into the contribution of crop production to climate change and help to identify possible greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation options. In the current study, data for the major crops of China were collected from the national statistical archive on cultivation area, yield, application rates of fertilizer, pesticide, diesel, plastic film, irrigated water, etc. The CF of direct and indirect carbon emissions associated with or caused by these agricultural inputs was quantified with published emission factors. In general, paddy rice, wheat, maize and soybean of China had mean CFs of 2472, 794, 781 and 222 kg carbon equivalent (CE)/ha, and 0·37, 0·14, 0·12 and 0·10 kg CE/kg product, respectively. For dry crops (i.e. those grown without flooding the fields: wheat, maize and soybean), 0·78 of the total CFs was contributed by nitrogen (N) fertilizer use, including both direct soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and indirect emissions from N fertilizer manufacture. Meanwhile, direct methane (CH4) emissions contributed 0·69 on average to the total CFs of flooded paddy rice. Moreover, the difference in N fertilizer application rates explained 0·86–0·93 of the provincial variations of dry crop CFs while that in CH4 emissions could explain 0·85 of the provincial variation of paddy rice CFs. When a 30% reduction in N fertilization was considered, a potential reduction in GHGs of 60 megatonne (Mt) carbon dioxide equivalent from production of these crops was projected. The current work highlights opportunities to gain GHG emission reduction in production of crops associated with good management practices in China.

scholarly journals Sensing of Crop Nitrogen Status: Opportunities, Tools, Limitations, and Supporting Information Requirements

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Tremblay ◽  
Edith Fallon ◽  
Noura Ziadi
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Fluorescent Properties ◽  
Fluorescence Excitation ◽  
N Nutrition ◽  
Practical Applications

Diagnosing nitrogen (N) sufficiency in crops is used to help insure more effective management of N fertilizer application, and several indicators have been proposed to this end. The N nutrition index (NNI) offers a reliable measurement, but it is relatively difficult to determine. This index is based on the relationship between plant tissue N concentration and the biomass of the plant's aerial parts. However, a good estimate of the NNI should be obtained by nondestructive methods that can be carried out quickly. Although dependent on sites, chlorophyll meter (CM) measurements have been correlated with the NNI in corn (Zea mays). Since chlorophyll can be estimated through remote sensing, the possibility of quickly obtaining measurements for large surface areas points to practical applications for precision agriculture. When combined with the mapping of soil properties such as apparent electrical conductivity (EC), elevation and slope, such chlorophyll measurements make it possible to derive N fertilization recommendations by taking into account natural variations in the soil. Recently, an instrument called the Dualex (FORCE-A, Orsay, France) is marketed, which uses measurement methods based on the fluorescent properties of plant tissues. It is similar to the CM in terms of its operating principle but it measures polyphenolics (Phen), compounds that accumulate in the epidermis of leaves under N stress. Epidermal transmittance to ultraviolet light is assessed by the fluorescence excitation ratio F(ultraviolet)/F(REF), where F(ultraviolet) is the fluorescence excitation detected following ultraviolet excitation, and F(REF) is the fluorescence detected on excitation at a reference wavelength, not absorbed by the epidermis. Although the Dualex generally did not identify more differences among treatments than the CM in our studies on wheat (Triticum aestivum), corn, and broccoli (Brassica oleracea ssp. italica), combining the two measurements in a chlorophyll/Phen ratio improved the relationships with crop N nutrition status appreciably. This ratio can also be estimated by remote sensing techniques. The NNI on its own does not constitute an economically optimal recommendation for N fertilizer [economically optimal N rate (EONR)]. The EONR is the N rate at which profit is greatest. Work is currently being done to use overfertilized reference plots for this purpose and to permit an improved correlation between the indicator (NNI or chlorophyll) and EONR.

Effect of fertilizer rate and form on the recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizer applied to wheat in Syria

1997 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. PILBEAM ◽  
A.M. McNEILL ◽  
H. C. HARRIS ◽  
R. S. SWIFT
Keyword(s):  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Added Nitrogen Interaction

15N-labelled fertilizer was applied at different rates (0, 30, 60, 90 kg N ha−1) and in different forms (urea or ammonium sulphate) to wheat grown in Syria in three seasons (1991/92, 1992/93 and 1994/95).Recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizer in the above-ground crop at harvest was low (8–22%), with the amount of 15N-labelled fertilizer recovered in the crop increasing as the rate of application increased. Fertilizer application caused a significant increase in the amount of unlabelled soil N in the crop, suggesting that the application of N fertilizer caused a ‘real’ added nitrogen interaction. Recovery of 15N-labelled fertilizer in the crop was unaffected by the form of the fertilizer.On average 31% (14–54%) of the 15N-labelled fertilizer remained in the soil at harvest, mostly in the 0–20 cm layer. At the lowest application rate (30 kg N ha−1) most of the residual fertilizer was as organic N, but at the higher application rates (60 and 90 kg N ha−1), a greater proportion of the 15N-labelled fertilizer was recovered as inorganic N, presumably as the result of top-dressing N in dry conditions in the spring. The amount of 15N-labelled fertilizer remaining in the soil increased as the fertilizer rate increased, but was unaffected by the form of fertilizer applied.Losses of 15N-labelled fertilizer were large (>35%), probably caused by gaseous losses, either through volatilization of N from the calcareous soil, or through denitrification from wet soils rich in organic residues.N fertilization strategies in the West Asia/North Africa (WANA) region should take note of the low recovery of N fertilizer by the crop in the season of application, and the resultant large quantities of residual fertilizer.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Balance in a Sweet Sorghum Crop in a Mediterranean Environment

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1292
Author(s):  
Danilo Scordia ◽  
Salvatore Luciano Cosentino ◽  
Mariadaniela Mantineo ◽  
Giorgio Testa ◽  
Cristina Patanè
Keyword(s):  
Sweet Sorghum ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Balance Study ◽  
N Input ◽  
Irrigation Levels

Sweet sorghum is a C4 plant with great biomass potential yield in semi-arid environments. Under growing conditions affected by water shortage and nutrient deficiency, the optimal combination of irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilization rate is a central issue for sustainable farming systems. In this paper, a N balance study was applied to sweet sorghum cv. Keller, managed under three irrigation levels (I0, I50, I100: 0, 50, and 100% crop evapotranspiration—ETc restoration) and four N-fertilization rates (N0, N60, N120, N180: 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha−1). The 15N-labelled fertilization technique was used to assess the fate of N fertilizer within the agroecosystem. Dry biomass yield was significantly affected by the irrigation, while N rates had no effect. Across N and irrigation levels, the isotopic composition showed that approximately 34% of N applied by fertilization was used by the crop, 56% remained in the soil at the end of the cropping season, 1.83% was leached as nitrate, and 1.72% was volatilized as ammonia. N-fertilizer uptake was the lowest in I0, while in N0, the soil was strongly N-impoverished since sorghum showed a great aptitude to benefit from the soil N reserve. An even N input/output system (i.e., N-output corresponded to N-input) was observed in the N120 treatment, and the soil N reserve remained unchanged, while the system was N-enriched (positive input/output) in N180. However, although beneficial for crop nutrition and soil N reserve for subsequent crops in rotation, the N180 treatment is unsustainable due to many environmental side effects in the agroecosystem.

scholarly journals Recommended nitrogen fertilization enhances soil carbon sequestration in China’s monsoonal temperate zone

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5983
Author(s):  
Shaofei Jin
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Soil Carbon Sequestration ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Soil Testing ◽  
N Input ◽  
The Future

China consumes more than one-third of the world’s nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and an increasing amount of N fertilizer has been applied over the past decades. Although N fertilization can increase the carbon sequestration potentials of cropland in China, the quantitative effects of different N fertilizer application levels on soil carbon changes have not been evaluated. Therefore, a 12-year cultivation experiment was conducted under three N fertilizer application levels (no N fertilizer input, the recommended N fertilizer input after soil testing, and the estimated additional fertilizer input) to estimate the effect of N addition on soil carbon changes in the root layer (0–80 cm) and non-root layer (80–200 cm) using a within-study meta-analysis method. The results showed significant declines in the soil inorganic carbon (SIC) in the root layers and significant growth in the SIC in the non-root layers under N fertilizer input. The soil organic carbon (SOC) in the root layers and the non-root layer significantly decreased under all the treatments. In addition, the recommended N fertilizer application level significantly increased the SOC and soil total carbon stocks compared with the future N fertilizer application level and no N input, while the future N fertilization significantly decreased the SIC and soil total carbon compared with no N input. The results suggest that N fertilization can rearrange the soil carbon distribution over the entire soil profile, and the recommended N fertilization rather than excess N input can increase the soil carbon stock, which suggests that the national soil testing program in China can improve the soil carbon sequestration potential.

scholarly journals Growth and Nitrogen Status of Young Pecan Trees Using Fertigation

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 904-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenny Wells
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Growth ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
N Application ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Commercial Harvest ◽  
Minimal Treatment ◽  
Leaf N

The prolonged period from tree planting to first commercial harvest of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] provides incentive for many growers to intensively manage young trees to induce commercial production as soon as possible. This management includes high nitrogen (N) application rates with or without fertigation. However, there remains little data regarding the effect of N fertilization or fertigation on young pecan trees grown under southeastern U.S. orchard conditions. The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of fertigation with more commonly recommended forms of fertilization on growth and leaf N, phosphorous (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) concentrations of first- through third-leaf pecan trees irrigated with microsprinklers. An optimal growth rate of young pecan trees was obtained as easily with a balanced granular fertilizer application using significantly less N compared with fertigation applications. The minimal treatment differences observed along with the fact that leaf N concentration never fell below the minimum recommended level in any treatment throughout the study supports the supposition that first-year pecan trees require no N fertilizer during the year of establishment. Only modest N application rates are required during the second and third growing seasons. This practice helps to promote optimal tree growth while minimizing excessive losses of N to the environment.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of gut bacterial communities in housefly larvae fed different diets using a high-throughput sequencing approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 366 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijing Xue ◽  
Junli Zhang ◽  
Ruiling Zhang ◽  
Zhendong Huang ◽  
Qing Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Intestinal Bacteria ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Fish Feed ◽  
High Fat

ABSTRACT Housefly larvae are a synanthropic host for various bacteria, including pathogens and commensals and an important protein source for monogastric animal feed. Many factors, such as diets, life stages, host habitats can influence microbial community structure. In this study, the diversity of bacterial communities in the gut of housefly larvae fed on different artificial diets was comprehensively characterized using high-throughput sequencing with the aim shedding light on an optimal larval diet. The results showed that the dominant bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla were related to polysaccharide degradation. The comparative analysis indicated that the dominant intestinal bacteria of larvae fed on high-protein were similar to those on high-fat diet. The same was the case in larvae fed high-starch diet and wheat bran alone. In addition, the diversity of intestinal bacteria at genus level in larvae fed high-protein and high-fat diet was higher than in larvae fed the other two diets. Further analysis indicated that the increase of potential commensals and decrease of pathogens in larvae fed on high-fat diet contributed to the increase of housefly larvae immunity. It established a foundation for further research on improvement of nutrition of housefly larvae used for poultry and fish feed.

ECONOMICS OF N-FERTILIZATION OF DRYLAND GRASSES FOR HAY PRODUCTION IN SOUTHWESTERN MANITOBA

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 559-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. P. McCAUGHEY ◽  
E. G. SMITH ◽  
A. T. H. GROSS
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Fertilizer Response ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Response Data ◽  
N Supply ◽  
Application Rates

An economic analysis was conducted on N fertilizer response data of four dryland grass species on two soil types. Clay-loam soils were more productive than sandy-loam soils. The N supply required to obtain optimum economic yield was determined and results showed that producers must increase N fertilizer application rates over current rates of application in order to maximize profit.Key words: Bromegrass, crested wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, Russian wild ryegrass, nitrogen fertilizer, economics

An assessment of the effects of fertilizer nitrogen management on nitrate leaching risk from grazed dairy pasture

2015 ◽  
Vol 154 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. VOGELER ◽  
G. LUCCI ◽  
M. SHEPHERD
Keyword(s):  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Fertilizer Management ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Direct Leaching ◽  
Leaching Risk

SUMMARYDairy farms are under pressure to increase productivity while reducing environmental impacts. Effective fertilizer management practices are critical to achieve this. In the present study the effect of timing and rate of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on pasture production and N losses, either via direct leaching of fertilizer N or indirectly through consumption of N in pasture and subsequent excretion via dairy cow grazing, was modelled. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) was first tested with experimental data from N fertilizer response experiments conducted on a well-drained soil in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The model was then used in a 20-year simulation to investigate the effect of fertilizer management on the impacts on potential N leaching losses. Year-to-year variability was assessed by incorporating 20 years of climate data into the model. Modelling indicated that N fertilization at rates of 140 and 220 kg N/ha/year, applied in four split applications and avoiding application in winter months, could increase pasture yield on average by 2·2–3·0 t dry matter (DM)/ha (25–38%). There were some significant amounts of direct leaching in some years, related to environmental conditions. The maximum loss was as high as 61 kg N/ha at an N application rate of 220 kg N/ha/year, in a year with low pasture production and high rainfall following fertilizer application. In general, however, the risk of direct N leaching from applied fertilizer was low. It seems the main effect of N fertilization is to increase the risk of indirect N leaching, due to increased N intake and excretion. The modelling indicated that the major contribution to increased indirect N leaching risk was from the extra DM grown (more urine deposited per ha). Increased N concentration in the pasture due to fertilization and the resultant extra partitioning of excretal N to urine had only a minor effect on indirect leaching losses. The exception was N fertilizer applied in late winter/early spring (July), where fertilizer N (55 kg/ha) increased pasture N concentration byc. 25%, suggesting that the N concentration in urine patch areas could increase fromc. 550 to 840 kg N/ha. Further measurements are required to test the hypothesis developed from the modelling that the main effect of N fertilizer on urinary N leaching is by increasing DM production rather than increasing pasture N concentration.

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