scholarly journals The Nitrogen Use Efficiency: Meaning and Sources of Variation—Case Studies on Three Vegetable Crops in Central Italy

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Benincasa ◽  
Marcello Guiducci ◽  
Francesco Tei
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Application Method ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Use Efficiency

Nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) of crops is examined by taking into account both plant N uptake efficiency, focusing on the recovery of fertilizer-N, and the utilization efficiency of the absorbed N. The latter is further analyzed as the overall effect of the absorbed N on crop leaf area, light absorption, photosynthesis, crop growth, biomass partitioning, and yield. The main sources of variation for the NUE of crops are considered, and several of them are discussed based on results from field experiments carried out at the University of Perugia (central Italy) between 1991 and 2008 on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). More specifically, the effects of species, cultivar, fertilizer-N rate, form and application method (mineral and organic fertilization, green manuring, fertigation frequency), and sink limitation are reported. Implications for residual N in the soil and leaching risks are also discussed. The fertilizer-N rate is the main factor affecting crop NUE for a given irrigation management and rainfall regime. Indeed, avoiding over fertilization is the first and primary means to match a high use efficiency and economic return of fertilizer-N with limited environmental risks from nitrate leaching. The form and application method of fertilizer-N also may affect the NUE, especially in the case of limiting or overabundant N supply. Particularly, high fertigation frequency increased the recovery of fertilizer-N by the crop. It is suggested that species-specific curves for critical N concentration (i.e., the minimum N concentration that allows the maximum growth) can be the reference to calibrate the quick tests used to guide dynamic fertilization management, which is essential to achieve both the optimal crop N nutritional status and the maximum NUE.

scholarly journals   Effects of nitrogen application stage on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of high-yield summer maize

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Lü ◽  
J.W. Zhang ◽  
L.B. Jin ◽  
W. Liu ◽  
S.T. Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Summer Maize ◽  
N Application ◽  
Total N ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Application Method ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Jointing Stage

This study aims to explore the optimum nitrogen (N) application method by analyzing effects of variable N application stages and ratios on the N absorption and translocation of high-yield summer maize (DH661). The study included field experiments and <sup>15</sup>N isotopic dilutions for pot experiments. Results showed that the yield was not increased in a one-off N application at the jointing stage. The uptake of fertilizer-derived N in the grain increased with the increasing of N applied times. Compared to a single or double application, total N uptake (N<sub>up</sub>) and biomass increased significantly by supplying N at the six-leaf stage (V6), ten-leaf stage (V10) and 10 days after anthesis in ratios of 3:5:2 and 2:4:4. The fertilizer-derived recovery rates were 67.5% and 78.1%, respectively. The uptake and utilization of fertilizer-derived N was enhanced by increasing the recovery rate of N supplied after anthesis, and reducing the absorption of soil-derived N. Therefore, the 2:4:4 application ratios was the optimal N application method. &nbsp;

The effects of cultivar, season and site on variation in grain N concentration and N use efficiency of winter wheat in Northern Ireland

2011 ◽  
Vol 150 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. WHITE
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Harvest Index ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
Total N ◽  
Available N ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Use Efficiency

SUMMARYA detailed study of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and its components in three cultivars of winter wheat, Hereward, Rialto and Riband was undertaken in cultivar trials conducted in Northern Ireland in 1998 and 1999. Yield, grain N concentration, harvest index (HI), nitrogen harvest index (NHI), N uptake efficiency (NUpE), total N uptake, grain N off-take, N utilization efficiency (NUtE) and NUE itself all showed significant variation between sites. Cvars Hereward and Rialto had similar mean values across all the sites for many of the characteristics, with Riband usually differing. In all but one characteristic, grain N concentration, the responses of the three cultivars varied significantly from trial to trial and this, along with the substantial variation between sites, indicates that genetic control of the characteristics is partial. The amount of N applied as fertilizer accounted for little of the variation among the trials with weak associations for NUpE, which decreased, and grain yield, which increased with increasing fertilizer N. Neither grain yield nor NUE was associated with the amount of N taken up by the crop, but grain N concentration increased and NUtE decreased significantly. HI and NHI differed significantly among the cultivars, diverging at higher N uptakes, with Hereward and Rialto being similar and distinctly different from Riband. Grain yield was only weakly associated with NUpE but was strongly and positively associated with NUtE and NUE. The strong negative association between NUtE and NUpE highlights the potential and the urgency of understanding factors influencing uptake of nitrogen by crops. The extent of the non-genetic, i.e. environmental and management, variation in the characteristics, along with the relative similarity of the cultivar means, throws up a challenge to plant breeders, agronomists and researchers wishing to improve NUE genetically and through management. As with yield and other characteristics, a large number of trials will be required to identify consistent differences in NUE among cultivars. Thus, while mechanisms underlying NUE, NUpE and NUtE need to be understood, the possibility of using the HGCA UK Recommended List database to investigate NUE and identify cultivars with improved NUE should also be considered. Since in each of the HGCA trials cultivars have access to the same available N, and since grain yield=available N×NUE, grain yield itself is a surrogate for the NUE of cultivars. Grain N concentration is only determined in a few cultivars at present but could be used as an indicator of optimal N availability in individual trials, allowing variation in NUE of cultivars in response to agro-ecological factors on NUE to be studied.

scholarly journals Ethephon Reduces Maize Nitrogen Uptake but Improves Nitrogen Utilization in Zea mays L.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yushi Zhang ◽  
Yubin Wang ◽  
Churong Liu ◽  
Delian Ye ◽  
Danyang Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
N Application ◽  
Total N ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
High Plant Density ◽  
Ethephon Treatment ◽  
N Use

Increasing use of plant density or/and nitrogen (N) application has been introduced to maize production in the past few decades. However, excessive planting density or/and use of fertilizer may cause reduced N use efficiency (NUE) and increased lodging risks. Ethephon application improves maize lodging resistance and has been an essential measure in maize intensive production systems associated with high plant density and N input in China. Limited information is available about the effect of ethephon on maize N use and the response to plant density under different N rates in the field. A three-year field study was conducted with two ethephon applications (0 and 90 g ha−1), four N application rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha−1), and two plant densities (6.75 plants m−2 and 7.5 plants m−2) to evaluate the effects of ethephon on maize NUE indices (N agronomic efficiency, NAE; N recovery efficiency, NRE; N uptake efficiency, NUpE; N utilization efficiency, NUtE; partial factor productivity of N, PFPN), biomass, N concentration, grain yield and N uptake, and translocation properties. The results suggest that the application of ethephon decreased the grain yield by 1.83–5.74% due to the decrease of grain numbers and grain weight during the three experimental seasons. Meanwhile, lower biomass, NO3- and NH4+ fluxes in xylem bleeding sap, and total N uptake were observed under ethephon treatments. These resulted in lower NAE and NUpE under the ethephon treatment at a corresponding N application rate and plant density. The ethephon treatment had no significant effects on the N concentration in grains, and it decreased the N concentration in stover at the harvesting stage, while increasing the plant N concentration at the silking stage. Consequently, post-silking N remobilization was significantly increased by 14.10–32.64% under the ethephon treatment during the experimental periods. Meanwhile, NUtE significantly increased by ethephon.

The effect of irrigation on nitrogen uptake and use efficiency of two willow (Salixspp.) biomass energy varieties

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Hangs ◽  
J. J. Schoenau ◽  
K. C. J. Van Rees ◽  
J. D. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Uptake ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Biomass Energy ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Energy Plantations ◽  
Fertilizer N Uptake ◽  
Salix Spp

Hangs, R. D., Schoenau, J. J., Van Rees, K. C. J. and Knight, J. D. 2012. The effect of irrigation on nitrogen uptake and use efficiency of two willow ( Salix spp.) biomass energy varieties. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 563–575. Nitrogen (N) fertilizers historically have been applied to support increased productivity of purpose-grown willow (Salix spp.) biomass energy plantations. However, a frequently observed lack of willow growth response to added fertilizer N is often attributed to poor fertilizer use efficiency. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of irrigation on the recovery of broadcast15N-labelled fertilizer, applied during the final year of a 3-yr rotation, by two willow varieties. A split-split-plot experiment was established on a fertile heavy clay soil in Saskatoon, SK, Canada, which consisted of two willow varieties (Charlie and SV1), three irrigation treatments (no irrigation, 75%, and 100% field capacity), and two fertilization treatments (1× and 2× the recommended fertilizer rate of 100:30:80:20 N:P:K:S; kg ha−1). Irrigation increased fertilizer N uptake by Charlie, but had no effect on the amount taken up by SV1, which was attributed to greater N use efficiency of SV1 compared with Charlie when irrigated. Eighty-two percent of the applied fertilizer N was accounted for in the following sinks: 43% in the soil (0–60 cm), 31% in the willow tissues (i.e., stems, leaves, stump, and roots), 7% in the LFH layer, and <1% in the non-crop vegetation; the balance (approximately 18%) was presumed lost primarily through denitrification from the poorly drained soil, but possibly some may have leached below the root zone as well. Although the willow varieties accessed only a portion of the applied fertilizer N during the year of application, the majority of the residual fertilizer N was conserved within the production system and, therefore, remained available for willow uptake in subsequent years.

Nitrogen use efficiency, economic return and yield performance of Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] as influenced by nipping and fertility levels

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Dhaka ◽  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Bhagat Singh ◽  
Karmal Singh ◽  
Amit Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Recovery Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Total N ◽  
Yield Attributes ◽  
Use Efficiency

An experiment was conducted to study nitrogen use efficiency in pigeonpea at Research farm, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India having three nipping treatments (no nipping, nipping at just start of branching and nipping at flower initiation) and five fertility levels (control, 20 kg N + 40 kg P2O5/ha, 30 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 /ha, 40 kg N + 40 kg P2O5/ha and 20 kg N + 40 kg P2O5/ha + foliar spray of 2% N immediately after nipping) replicated thrice in split plot design during growing seasons of 2016 and 2017. Nipping at start of branching reduced the plant height, while increased primary and secondary branches, pods/plant and yield over no nipping. Significantly higher total N uptake, protein content, net return, B: C, agronomical NUE, physiologic NUE, agro-physiologic NUE, apparent recovery efficiency, utilization efficiency of N and partial N balance were improved with nipping at start of branching. Among fertility levels, 40 kg N + 40 kg P2O5 / ha recorded significantly higher yield attributes with 39.7 per cent higher seed yield over control. Significantly higher agronomic NUE, physiologic NUE, agro-physiological NUE, apparent recovery efficiency, utilization efficiency of N, partial N balance and NER were recorded with 20 kg/ha as compared to higher nitrogen doses.

Soybean nitrogen contribution to corn and residual nitrate under conventional tillage and no-till

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. S. Rembon ◽  
A. F. MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Glycine Max ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Glycine Max L ◽  
Tillage Method

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) can produce high-N residues that may benefit subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) production, but the degree of benefit is often unpredictable and may be related to tillage methods. This study investigated the effects of conventional-tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) on fertilizer replacement values for corn in a corn-soybean rotation. Field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons on two soils, a Ste. Rosalie clay (Humic Gleysol), and an Ormstown silty clay (Humic Gleysol). Continuous corn, corn following soybean, soybean following corn, continuous soybean, and three levels of fertilizer N (0, 90, 180 and 0, 20, and 40 kg N ha−1 for corn and soybean, respectively) were compared. Tillage did not effect yield or N uptake consistently. Corn grain yields and N uptake were greater following soybean than following corn. Soybean provided N fertilizer credits ranging from 40 to 150 kg N ha−1, which was greater than the residual NO3 in the soil prior to planting. Credits were greater in the year with higher corn yields and lower previous winter precipitation resulting in greater NO3 carryover. Tillage effects on N credits from soybean differed between the sites. Consequently, N contributions of soybean to corn could not be related to tillage method or soil type. Key words:Zea mays L., Glycine max L. Merill, rotations, grain yield, N uptake, tillage, fertilizer N

scholarly journals Yield, Nitrogen Dynamics, and Fertilizer Use Efficiency in Machine-harvested Cucumber

HortScience ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1712-1718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Van Eerd ◽  
Kelsey A. O'Reilly
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
N Budget ◽  
Available N ◽  
N Removal ◽  
Use Efficiency

The increase in fertilizer costs as well as environmental concerns has stimulated growers to re-evaluate their fertilizer applications to optimize nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) while maintaining crop yields and minimizing N losses. With these objectives, field trials were conducted at seven sites with five N rates (0 to 220 kg N/ha) of ammonium-nitrate applied preplant broadcast and incorporated as well as a split application treatment of 65 + 45 kg N/ha. In three contrasting years (i.e., cool/wet versus warm/dry versus average), N treatment had no observable effect on grade size distribution or brine quality. Based on the zero N control treatment, the limited yield response to fertilizer N was the result of sufficient plant-available N over the growing season. In the N budget, there was no difference between N treatments in crop N removal, but there was a positive linear relationship between N applied and the quantity of N in crop residue as well as in the soil after harvest. As expected, apparent fertilizer N recovery and N uptake efficiency were lower at 220 versus 110 kg N/ha applied preplant or split. The preplant and split applications of 110 kg N/ha were not different in yield, overall N budget, or NUE. Considering the short growing season, planting into warm soils, and the generally productive, nonresponsive soils in the region, growers should consider reducing or eliminating fertilizer N applications in machine-harvested cucumber.

scholarly journals How Nitrogen Supply Affects Growth and Nitrogen Uptake, Use Efficiency, and Loss from Citrus Seedlings

1996 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Lea-Cox ◽  
James P. Syvertsen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Single Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
N Supply ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Leaf N Concentration ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Complete Nutrient Solution ◽  
Leaf N

We examined how N supply affected plant growth and N uptake, allocation and leaching losses from a fine sandy soil with four Citrus rootstock species. Seedlings of `Cleopatra' mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and `Swingle' citrumelo (C. paradisi × P. trifoliata) were grown in a glasshouse in 2.3-liter pots of Candler fine sand and fertilized weekly with a complete nutrient solution containing 200 mg N/liter (20 mg N/week). A single application of 15NH415NO3(17.8% atom excess 15N) was substituted for a normal weekly N application when the seedlings were 22 weeks old (day O). Six replicate plants of each species were harvested at 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 7, 11, and 30 days after 15N application. In a second experiment, NH4 NO3 was supplied at 18,53, and 105 mg N/week to 14-week-old `Volkamer' lemon (C. volkameriana Ten. & Pasq.) and sour orange (C. aurantium L.) seedlings in a complete nutrient solution for 8 weeks. A single application of 15NH415NO3 (23.0% 15N) was substituted at 22 weeks (day 0), as in the first experiment, and seedlings harvested 3,7, and 31 days after 15N application. Nitrogen uptake and partitioning were similar among species within each rate, but were strongly influenced by total N supply and the N demand by new growth. There was no 15N retranslocation to new tissue at the highest (105 mg N/week) rate, but N supplies below this rate limited plant growth without short-term 15N reallocation from other tissues. Leaf N concentration increased linearly with N supply up to the highest rate, while leaf chlorophyll concentration did not increase above that at 53 mg N/week. Photosynthetic CO2 assimilation was not limited by N in this study; leaf N concentration exceeded 100 mmol·m-2 in all treatments. Thus, differences in net productivity at the higher N rates appeared to be a function of increased leaf area, but not of leaf N concentration. Hence, N use efficiency decreased significantly over the range of N supply, whether expressed either on a gas-exchange or dry weight basis. Mean plant 15N uptake efficiencies after 31 days decreased from 60% to 47% of the 15N applied at the 18,20, and 53 mg N/week rates to less than 33% at the 105 mg N/week rate. Leaching losses increased with N rate, with plant growth rates and the subsequent N requirements of these Citrus species interacting with residual soil N and potential leaching loss.

Influence of Phosphorus Fertilizers Application on Phosphorus use Efficiency and Grain Protein of Winter Wheat in Alkaline-Calcareous Soil, Southern Algeria

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Boukhalfa Deraoui ◽  
L Hanifi Mekliche ◽  
A Mekliche ◽  
H Cheloufi ◽  
S Babahani
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Ammonium Phosphate ◽  
Grain Protein Content ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Grain Protein ◽  
Phosphorus Use Efficiency ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Single Super Phosphate

hree field experiments (2008 to 2011) were conducted to evaluate the ability of winter wheat (Triticum durum Desf. var. Carioca) to utilize and acquire soil phosphorus and nitrogen under different sources of phosphate fertilizers (Fosfactyl, Single super phosphate and Mono-ammonium-phosphate) and rates of applications (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg Pha-1) with a fixed level of nitrogen fertilization. Results revealed a significant effect of P rates on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); however, P sources fertilizer had non-significant effect in all three cropping seasons. PUE and NUE decreased markedly with increasing P supply that did not result in an improvement of P and N uptake. Grain protein content was significantly influenced by phosphorus fertilization in 2008-09. The best values were obtained by Single super phosphate and P rate 60 kg ha-1.

Effect of timing of application on the recovery of fertilizer N applied to irrigated soft white wheat

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-513
Author(s):  
J. M. Carefoot ◽  
R. L. Conner ◽  
J. B. Bole
Keyword(s):  
Difference Method ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
White Wheat ◽  
Lysimeter Experiment ◽  
The Difference

The effect of timing of application on the recovery of fertilizer N applied to irrigated soft white wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated in a 3-yr field study and a 1-yr lysimeter study using 15N-labelled urea and ammonium nitrate. Fertilizer N treatments consisted of a check and 90 kg ha−1 applied as preplant N, postplant N or combinations. Under a controlled watering regime in the lysimeter experiment, timing of N application had no effect on plant growth parameters. In the field studies, although grain yield was not affected by N timing, grain N concentration increased from 17.9 to 19.6 g kg−1 as the proportion of postplant N was increased from 0 to 100%. Plant N uptake was greater when all of the N was applied postplant than preplant (means = 124.5 and 114.2 kg ha−1, respectively) in the field studies. Plant recovery of fertilizer N (FNR) by the difference method was greater when all of the fertilizer N was applied postplant (43.7%) man preplant (28.6%) in the field experiments. With a negative apparent added N interaction (ANI), the FNR was less by the difference method than by the 15N method. However, with a positive ANI, FNR was less by the 15N method than by the difference method. There was a greater difference between methods as the proportion of N applied as postplant N increased. Key words: Fertilizer N timing, irrigation, soft white wheat, nitrogation, fertilizer N recovery

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