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Agronomy
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Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management
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Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 10512

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Renato De Mello Prado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo 14884-900, Brazil
Interests: plant nutrition; silicon; mineral metabolism; nutritional disorder; soil science; nutrient imbalance; plant stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dilier Olivera Viciedo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Agrifood, Animals and Environmental Sciences, Universidad de O’Higgins, San Fernando 3070000, Chile
Interests: soil fertility; plant nutrition; silicon; plant stress; biofertilizers; water management; climate change
Dr. Anderson De Moura Zanine

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha 65500-000, Brazil
Interests: grass and forage science; silage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Worldwide, climate change poses significant challenges to soil fertility and plant nutrition, with profound implications for food security and agricultural sustainability. Understanding how to improve soil fertility and plant nutrition is crucial for efficient, sustainable, and future-oriented agriculture, ensuring sufficient, high-quality food production while protecting the environment. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to cover a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to) the following: novel approaches for assessing soil fertility levels; innovative soil management techniques to enhance nutrient availability; the impact of soil amendments on soil fertility and plant nutrition; strategies for optimizing nutrient uptake and utilization by plants; the role of microbial communities in soil fertility and nutrient cycling; sustainable practices for improving soil health and fertility; integration of precision agriculture technologies for efficient nutrient management; and the effects of environmental factors on soil fertility and plant nutrition. Moreover, it seeks to advance our understanding of soil–plant interactions and provide valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices and crop production. We welcome novel research, reviews, original articles, and communication covering all related topics. 

Dr. Renato De Mello Prado
Dr. Dilier Olivera Viciedo
Dr. Anderson De Moura Zanine
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • soil management
  • soil amendments
  • nutrient availability
  • nutrient use efficiency
  • microbial communities
  • sustainable agriculture
  • fertilization strategies
  • crop management practices

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 4910 KiB  
Article
Point-to-Interval Prediction Method for Key Soil Property Contents Utilizing Multi-Source Spectral Data
by Shuyan Liu, Dongyan Huang, Lili Fu, Shengxian Wu, Yanlei Xu, Yibing Chen and Qinglai Zhao
Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2678; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112678 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Key soil properties play pivotal roles in shaping crop growth and yield outcomes. Accurate point prediction and interval prediction of soil properties serve as crucial references for making informed decisions regarding fertilizer applications. Traditional soil testing methods often entail laborious and resource-intensive chemical [...] Read more.
Key soil properties play pivotal roles in shaping crop growth and yield outcomes. Accurate point prediction and interval prediction of soil properties serve as crucial references for making informed decisions regarding fertilizer applications. Traditional soil testing methods often entail laborious and resource-intensive chemical analyses. To address this challenge, this study introduced a novel approach leveraging spectral data fusion techniques to forecast key soil properties. The initial datasets were derived from UV–visible–near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectral data and mid-infrared (MIR) spectral data, which underwent preprocessing stages involving smoothing denoising and fractional-order derivative[s] (FOD) transform techniques. After extracting the characteristic bands from both types of spectral data, three fusion strategies were developed, which were further enhanced using machine learning techniques. Among these strategies, the outer-product analysis fusion algorithm proved particularly effective in improving prediction accuracy. For point predictions, metrics such as the coefficient of determination (R2) and error metrics demonstrated significant enhancements compared to predictions based solely on single-source spectral data. Specifically, R2 values increased by 0.06 to 0.41, underscoring the efficacy of the fusion approach combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR). In addition, based on the coverage width criterion to establish reliable prediction intervals for key soil properties, including soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), hydrolyzed nitrogen (HN), and available potassium (AK). These intervals were developed within the framework of the kernel density estimation (KDE) interval prediction model, which facilitates the quantification of uncertainty in property estimates. For available phosphorus (AP), a preliminary assessment of its concentration was also provided. By integrating advanced spectral data fusion with machine learning, this study paves the way for more informed agricultural decision making and sustainable soil management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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12 pages, 1423 KiB  
Article
Cotton Response to Foliar Potassium Application in South Texas Dryland
by Varshith Kommineni, Ammar B. Bhandari, Greta Schuster and Shad D. Nelson
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2422; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102422 - 19 Oct 2024
Viewed by 527
Abstract
Potassium (K) deficiency is common in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-growing areas. This study aims to investigate the effects of different rates of foliar K fertilizer application on three cotton varieties: NG 5711 B3XF (V1), PHY 480 W3FE (V2), and FM 1953GLTP (V3). [...] Read more.
Potassium (K) deficiency is common in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-growing areas. This study aims to investigate the effects of different rates of foliar K fertilizer application on three cotton varieties: NG 5711 B3XF (V1), PHY 480 W3FE (V2), and FM 1953GLTP (V3). Potassium fertilizer was dissolved in water and was foliar-applied at 34, 50, and 67 kg ha−1. Cotton plant height (CH) and canopy width (CW) were monitored throughout the growing season. The results showed that foliar K fertilizer application significantly impacted the CH and CW in dry years. Although insignificant, the cotton lint yield increased by 15% and 20% with 34 and 50 kg ha−1 in 2020 and by 9% and 7% with 50 and 67 kg ha−1 in 2021, indicating the potential for improved lint yield with foliar K application in rainfed production systems. Similarly, variety V3 had significantly greater lint and seed yields than V1 in 2020. The average lint yield among the varieties was 32%, and the seed yield was 27% greater in 2020 than in 2021. The cotton fiber color grade was significantly greater at 50 kg ha−1 in 2020 and 67 kg ha−1 in 2021. Cotton variety significantly affected color grade, uniformity, staple length, Col, RD, and Col-b contents in 2020 and 2021. The results suggest that foliar K application can enhance cotton production in rainfed production systems. However, more research is required to quantify varietal and foliar K application rates for improved lint yield and quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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17 pages, 3206 KiB  
Article
Soil Organic Carbon and Humus Characteristics: Response and Evolution to Long-Term Direct/Carbonized Straw Return to Field
by Xiao Li, Jun Li, Zhihui Zhao, Keyao Zhou, Xiumei Zhan, Ying Wang, Ning Liu, Xiaori Han and Xue Li
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2400; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102400 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 790
Abstract
While numerous studies have examined the effects of direct and carbonized straw return on soil fertility, most focus on short-term impacts. Long-term research is needed to understand how these practices affect soil fertility and organic carbon transformation, providing guidance for the use of [...] Read more.
While numerous studies have examined the effects of direct and carbonized straw return on soil fertility, most focus on short-term impacts. Long-term research is needed to understand how these practices affect soil fertility and organic carbon transformation, providing guidance for the use of straw and biochar in agriculture. This study examined the long-term effects of corn straw (CS), straw biochar (BIO), and biochar-based fertilizer (BF) applied over 5, 10, and 15 years on soil aggregates, organic carbon, and humus composition in a peanut field microplot experiment. Using pig manure compost (PMC) as a control, we assessed soil water-stable aggregate distribution, carbon content in soil and aggregates, and organic carbon’s infrared spectral characteristics. The goal was to understand how different straw utilization methods impact soil carbon retention and humus composition for sustainable agricultural practices. The results showed that the straw biochar (BIO) had a significantly better long-term effect on increasing the proportion and stability of large soil aggregates compared to direct straw return (CS) and biochar-based fertilizer (BF). After ten years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BIO was higher than that in soils treated with CS. After fifteen years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BF was similar to that of the CS treatment. Additionally, humus carbon primarily accumulated in the 2–0.25 mm aggregates (SMA), and the BIO treatment significantly improved the quality of soil humus. FTIR spectra indicated that the long-term application of BIO and BF increased the proportion of aromatic carbon in the soil, enhancing the stability of soil organic carbon. Long-term application of carbonized straw returns improved soil organic carbon, aggregate stability, and humus quality, contributing to carbon sequestration. Fertilization duration directly and indirectly regulated humus formation through its impact on organic carbon and aggregates, while organic materials influenced humus indirectly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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15 pages, 1421 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Nitrogen and Potassium Interaction on the Leaf Physiological Characteristics, Yield, and Quality of Sweet Potato
by Xing Shu, Minghuan Jin, Siyu Wang, Ximing Xu, Lijuan Deng, Zhi Zhang, Xu Zhao, Jing Yu, Yueming Zhu, Guoquan Lu and Zunfu Lv
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2319; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102319 - 9 Oct 2024
Viewed by 593
Abstract
This study selected two sweet potato varieties as research subjects and conducted a field experiment using a two-factor design with two potassium (K) levels (K0 and K1) and five nitrogen (N) levels (N0–N4). The physiological changes in sweet potato leaves under different N [...] Read more.
This study selected two sweet potato varieties as research subjects and conducted a field experiment using a two-factor design with two potassium (K) levels (K0 and K1) and five nitrogen (N) levels (N0–N4). The physiological changes in sweet potato leaves under different N and K treatments were measured, and nutrients such as the soluble sugar, protein, and starch content of sweet potato roots were analyzed. The results indicate that the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) and the soluble protein content in sweet potato leaves increase first and then decrease with increasing N application, while K application can significantly increase the activity of GS and the soluble protein content. The N metabolic capacity of leaves is strongest when the fertilizer ratio is K1N2. The SPAD value of sweet potato leaves increases with increasing N application. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO2 concentration first increase and then decrease with increasing N application. K fertilizer has a significant effect on these parameters. As the N application rate increases, the starch and protein content in the tubers increase, while the soluble sugar content decreases. However, the number of tubers per plant, fresh weight of the tubers, and dry weight of the tubers increase initially and then decrease, while the vine length continuously increases. The application of K fertilizer can significantly increase the number of tubers per plant and stem thickness of sweet potato. In conclusion, the appropriate N–K combined application can promote N metabolism, enhance the photosynthetic capacity of sweet potato, increase yield, and improve quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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17 pages, 2281 KiB  
Article
Optimising Nitrogen Fertilisation in a Potato–Oat Rotation and Implications for Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Volcanic Soils
by Marta Alfaro, Sara Hube, Francisco Salazar, Ignacio Beltrán, Luis Ramírez and Surinder Saggar
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2202; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102202 - 25 Sep 2024
Viewed by 778
Abstract
High nitrogen (N) fertiliser rates are usually applied to increase agricultural yields, leading to high nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and depletes the ozone layer. This study aimed to optimise N use [...] Read more.
High nitrogen (N) fertiliser rates are usually applied to increase agricultural yields, leading to high nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and depletes the ozone layer. This study aimed to optimise N use efficiency and quantify N2O emission factors (EF1) by measuring the effect of N rates on the yield of a potato-cover crop rotation, apparent N use efficiency (NUE) and N2O emissions. The two-year experiment was carried out on volcanic soils (1.6% carbon, 1.4% N) in southern Chile (40°52′ S, 73°03′ W). Three N application rates were evaluated (80, 150 and 300 kg N ha−1), 35% of which was applied at the planting stage (granular) and 65% at the tubering stage. A control treatment with no N addition was also included. Reducing N fertilisation to 80 kg N ha−1 increased NUE by three times, reduced N2O-N emissions by 33% and reduced emission intensity by 27% without a detrimental impact on crop yield and marketable tuber calibre. No significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the N2O emission factor (EF1) because of a low rainfall year. The results suggest that in rainfed agriculture systems, N fertiliser application can be significantly reduced without sacrificing potato yield, favouring the economic and environmental sustainability of potato production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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13 pages, 2880 KiB  
Article
Effect of Soil pH on the Uptake of Essential Elements by Tea Plant and Subsequent Impact on Growth and Leaf Quality
by Miao Jia, Yuhua Wang, Qingxu Zhang, Shaoxiong Lin, Qi Zhang, Yiling Chen, Lei Hong, Xiaoli Jia, Jianghua Ye and Haibin Wang
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061338 - 20 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 922
Abstract
Tea plant is an acidophilic plant, and soil pH has an important effect on the absorption and enrichment of elements, tea plant growth and quality. In this study, rhizosphere soils and leaves of tea plants from 30 tea plantations were collected to determine [...] Read more.
Tea plant is an acidophilic plant, and soil pH has an important effect on the absorption and enrichment of elements, tea plant growth and quality. In this study, rhizosphere soils and leaves of tea plants from 30 tea plantations were collected to determine soil pH and multi-element content of soil and leaves of tea plants, to obtain and validate key elements that are enriched by pH affecting tea plants, and to analyze the effects of pH on the growth and quality of tea plants. The results showed that soil pH significantly affected the enrichment of 15 elements by tea plants, and the enrichment coefficients of 11 elements (C, Mg, Si, N, P, Mn, Sr, Cd, S, Ca and Sb) tended to increase significantly with the increase of soil pH, while the opposite was true for the other four elements (Cu, Rb, Ba and Al). TOPSIS analysis showed that soil pH had the greatest effect on tea plant enrichment of seven elements, namely N (100%), Mn (43.32%), C (39.22%), P (27.66%), Sr (15.30%), Mg (13.41%) and Ba (10.47%). Pot experiments with tea seedlings also verified that soil pH significantly affected the enrichment of tea leaves for seven key elements. Moreover, with the increase of soil pH, the growth indexes, photosynthesis indexes and quality indexes of tea seedlings showed a significant upward trend. Interaction analysis showed that the enhanced enrichment of N, Mn, C, P, Sr and Mg by tea plants was beneficial to increase the photosynthetic capacity of tea plants, promote the growth of tea plants and improve the quality of tea leaves. This study provides an important theoretical basis for the cultivation and management of tea plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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16 pages, 3997 KiB  
Article
Challenges in Mapping Soil Variability Using Apparent Soil Electrical Conductivity under Heterogeneous Topographic Conditions
by István Mihály Kulmány, László Bede, Dávid Stencinger, Sándor Zsebő, Péter Csavajda, Renátó Kalocsai, Márton Vona, Gergely Jakab, Viktória Margit Vona and Ákos Bede-Fazekas
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061161 - 29 May 2024
Viewed by 886
Abstract
Site-specific management requires the identification of treatment areas based on homogeneous characteristics. This study aimed to determine whether soil mapping based on apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) is suitable for mapping soil properties of fields with topographic heterogeneity. Research was conducted [...] Read more.
Site-specific management requires the identification of treatment areas based on homogeneous characteristics. This study aimed to determine whether soil mapping based on apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) is suitable for mapping soil properties of fields with topographic heterogeneity. Research was conducted on two neighbouring fields in Fejér county, Hungary, with contrasting topographic heterogeneity. To characterise the spatial variability of soil attributes, ECa was measured and supplemented by obtaining soil samples and performing soil profile analysis. The relationship between ECa and soil physical and chemical properties was analysed using correlation, principal component, and regression analyses. The research revealed that the quality and strength of the relationship between ECa and soil remarkably differed in the two studied fields. In homogeneous topographic conditions, ECa was weakly correlated with elevation as determined by soil physical texture and nutrient content in a strong (R2 = 0.72) linear model. On the other hand, ECa was significantly determined by elevation in heterogeneous topographic conditions in a moderate (R2 = 0.47) linear model. Consequently, ECa-based soil mapping can only be used to characterise the soil, thus delineating management zones under homogeneous topographic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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19 pages, 4017 KiB  
Article
Continuous Intercropping Increases the Depletion of Soil Available and Non-Labile Phosphorus
by Jianyang He, Jun He, Haiye Li, Yumei Yu, Ling Qian, Li Tang, Yi Zheng and Jingxiu Xiao
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061121 - 24 May 2024
Viewed by 731
Abstract
Background and aims: This research aimed to evaluate the effects of consecutive intercropping on soil phosphorus (P) partitioning, concentrations, and sensitivity to P fertilizer application, elucidating its impact on soil P bioavailability. Methods: A field experiment investigated soil P fractions and [...] Read more.
Background and aims: This research aimed to evaluate the effects of consecutive intercropping on soil phosphorus (P) partitioning, concentrations, and sensitivity to P fertilizer application, elucidating its impact on soil P bioavailability. Methods: A field experiment investigated soil P fractions and content under continuous wheat and faba bean intercropping. Three P levels (0, 45, and 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 denoted as P0, P1, and P2, respectively) and three planting patterns (monocropped wheat (MW), monocropped faba bean (MF), and wheat and faba bean intercropping (W//F)) were established since 2014. Aboveground P uptake by wheat and faba bean was determined. The soil P fractions and content were analyzed after six-, seven-, and eight-year continuous field experiments. Results: Wheat and faba bean intercropping increased wheat aboveground P uptake by 28.3–42.7% compared to MW under P1 and P2 levels and presented a P uptake advantage (LERPuptake > 1), although W//F had no impact on faba bean P uptake. Consequently, continuous intercropping for 8 years decreased soil available P reserves by 9.0–23.4% in comparison to the weighted average value of MW and MF (It). Faba bean consumed greater non-labile and labile P than wheat with low P input. W//F had nearly no impact on the labile P pool but reduced the non-labile P pool by 5.0–12.1% under all P levels and lowered the moderately labile P pool by 1.7–4.7% at P0 and P1 levels compared to It with consecutive intercropping for 8 years. Consecutive intercropping of wheat and faba bean primarily decreased the proportion of Resin-P in the labile P pool and the proportion of Residual-P in the non-labile P pool. According to the structural equation model, crop P uptake mainly originated from soil available P, which was directly affected by non-labile P (Residual-P and Conc. HCl-P). In addition, intercropping changed the contribution of each P faction to crop P uptake compared to MW and MF, and P uptake in intercropping primarily depended on Conc. HCl- P and Dil. HCl-P. Therefore, consecutive intercropping decreased soil non-labile P and drove soil available P depletion, and intercropping’s increase of P uptake was related to the non-labile P mobilized to moderately labile and labile P. Conclusions: Continuous wheat and faba bean intercropping reduced non-labile P and led to soil available P depletion under low P input. This practice stimulated non-labile P mobilization, enhancing soil P fraction effectiveness and facilitating P uptake in intercropping. Continuous intercropping of wheat and faba bean is as an effective method to maximize the biological availability of soil P and reduce P application rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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13 pages, 4238 KiB  
Article
Nanoparticles of Zinc Oxides Mitigated N2O Emissions in Tea Plantation Soil
by Jing Wang, Linfang Guo, Fengmin Yang, Jian Xiang, Lizhi Long and Kang Ni
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061113 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 764
Abstract
The excessive application of nitrogen in tea plantations leads to severe soil acidification and N2O emission boosting. To promote sustainable agriculture, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as alternative fertilizers, but their effects on soil nitrification and greenhouse gas emissions in tea plantations [...] Read more.
The excessive application of nitrogen in tea plantations leads to severe soil acidification and N2O emission boosting. To promote sustainable agriculture, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as alternative fertilizers, but their effects on soil nitrification and greenhouse gas emissions in tea plantations remain unclear. In this study, the effects of NP type (ZnO-NPs and Fe2O3-NPs) and dose (0, 1, 10, and 100 mg·kg−1) on soil N2O emissions were investigated via a lab incubation trial. Soil pH, ammonium, and nitrate changes were also monitored during the incubation period. The abundance of functional genes related to nitrification and denitrification processes was analyzed as well. The results showed that ZnO-NPs led to a decrease in N2O emissions. The reduction effect was stronger with increasing dose and resulted in a 33% reduction at an addition rate of 100 mg·kg−1. The cumulative N2O emissions had significantly positive correlations with NH4+-N and NO3−-N. ZnO-NP addition showed a significantly negative effect on Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea (AOA) but a positive effect on Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) gene abundance. In contrast, Fe2O3-NPs showed an insignificant impact on N2O emissions and soil N content, as well as nitrification–denitrification gene abundance, regardless of different doses. These results imply that the application of ZnO-NPs may inhibit nitrification through the retarding of AOA activity. This study provided us with a potential practice to reduce N2O emissions in tea plantations by applying ZnO-NPs, but the efficiency of this reduction needs further examination under ambient conditions before field application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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13 pages, 2709 KiB  
Article
Silicon-Mediated Adjustments in C:N:P Ratios for Improved Beetroot Yield under Ammonium-Induced Stress
by Dilier Olivera-Viciedo, Daimy Salas Aguilar, Renato de Mello Prado, Kolima Peña Calzada, Alexander Calero Hurtado, Marisa de Cássia Piccolo, Mariana Bomfim Soares, Rodolfo Lizcano Toledo, Guilherme Ribeiro Alves, Daniele Ferreira, Rosane Rodrigues and Anderson de Moura Zanine
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061104 - 22 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1066
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) holds a prominent position in the metabolic system of plants, as it is a main constituent of amino acids, which are the basic building blocks of proteins and enzymes. Plants primarily absorb N in the form of ammonium (NH4+ [...] Read more.
Nitrogen (N) holds a prominent position in the metabolic system of plants, as it is a main constituent of amino acids, which are the basic building blocks of proteins and enzymes. Plants primarily absorb N in the form of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−). However, most plants exhibit severe toxicity symptoms when exposed to NH4+ as the sole N source. Addressing NH4+ stress requires effective strategies, and the use of silicon (Si) has shown promising results. However, there is a lack of underlying studies on the impact of NH4+ toxicity on C:N:P stoichiometric balance and the role of Si in these ratios. In this study, we explored the effects of varying NH4+ concentrations (1, 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30 mmol L−1) on the C:N:P stoichiometry and yield of beetroot in hydroponic conditions. Additionally, we investigated whether the application of Si (2 mmol L−1) could mitigate the detrimental effects caused by toxic NH4+ levels. The experiment followed a randomized block design based on a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with four replicates. Results revealed that in the presence of Si, both [N] and [P] significantly increased in shoots and roots, peaking at 15 mmol L−1 of NH4+ in the nutrient solution. While shoot [C] remained stable, root [C] increased with NH4+ concentrations of 22.5 and 30 mmol L−1, respectively. Moreover, shoot and root [Si] increased with higher NH4+ levels in the nutrient solution. The findings underscored homeostatic instability under the highest NH4+ levels, particularly in plants cultivated without Si in the nutritive solution, leading to a reduction in both shoot and root dry matter production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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Review

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21 pages, 2482 KiB  
Review
The Function of Macronutrients in Helping Soybeans to Overcome the Negative Effects of Drought Stress
by Mariola Staniak, Ewa Szpunar-Krok, Edward Wilczewski, Anna Kocira and Janusz Podleśny
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1744; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081744 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1919
Abstract
Nutrient deficiencies are a major cause of yield loss under abiotic stress conditions, so proper nutrient management can reduce the negative effects of stress to some extent. Nutrients can alleviate stress by activating resistance genes, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, creating osmoprotectants in cells, [...] Read more.
Nutrient deficiencies are a major cause of yield loss under abiotic stress conditions, so proper nutrient management can reduce the negative effects of stress to some extent. Nutrients can alleviate stress by activating resistance genes, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, creating osmoprotectants in cells, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, increasing cell membrane stability, synthesizing proteins associated with stress tolerance, and increasing chlorophyll content in leaves. The current review highlights changes in soybean metabolic activity caused by drought stress and changes in vital functions caused by the deficiency of primary (N, K, P) and secondary macronutrients (Ca, Mg, S). The role of macronutrients in reducing the adverse effects of water deficit stress is highlighted. Under stressed conditions, appropriate nutrient management options can be implemented to minimize the effects of drought and ensure good yields. Balanced nutrient fertilization helps activate various plant mechanisms to mitigate the effects of abiotic stresses and improve soybean drought resistance/tolerance. Nutrient management is therefore a viable technique for reducing environmental stress and increasing crop productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)
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