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Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 15802

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Dr. Hongmei Cai

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College of Resources and Environment, HuaZhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: plant-soil interaction; plant nutrition; nutrient interaction; gene function; transporter; transcription factor; rhizosphere soil
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutrient elements are essential for plant growth and development. They are also the limiting factors for grain yield and quality in crops. Today, intensive high-yield agriculture is highly dependent on the addition of fertilizers, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, as well as other microelements. However, further increases in fertilizer application are unlikely to be as effective at increasing yields, as efficiency declines at higher levels of addition. Therefore, understanding how plants respond to environmental nutrient levels to identify appropriate approaches and strategies to promote root uptake, root-to-shoot translocation, and the distribution of nutrients in plants—ultimately, to improve nutrient use efficiency—is quite meaningful for crop yield and quality.

In this Special Issue, we welcome articles including original research papers, perspectives, opinions, and reviews that focus on approaches and strategies for nutrient use efficiency improvement in plants. These approaches and strategies may include fertilizer management, the selection and breeding of high nutrient-use-efficient species and varieties, crop system change, as well as analyses of the physiological and molecular responses of plants to low and high nutrient conditions; the gene functions involved in nutrient uptake, translocation, and distribution in plants; and so on.

Dr. Hongmei Cai
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nutrient use efficiency
fertilizer
varieties
crop system
gene function
physiological and molecular response

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1695 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Evaluation of Water Use Efficiency and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. Seedlings in China

by Chengcheng Gao, Chenggong Liu, Cun Chen, Ning Liu, Fenfen Liu, Xiaohua Su and Qinjun Huang

Plants 2024, 13(16), 2228; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162228 - 11 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 972

Abstract

Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. represents a valuable genetic resource for fast-growing plantations in temperate regions. It holds significant cultivation and breeding potential in northern China. To establish an efficient breeding population of poplar, we studied the genetic variation of P. deltoides from different provenances. Our focus was on genotypes exhibiting high growth rates and efficient water and nutrient use efficiency (WUE and NUE). We evaluated 256 one-year-old seedlings from six provenances, measuring height, ground diameter, total biomass, and leaf carbon and nitrogen isotope abundance (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N). Our analytical methods included variance analysis, multiple comparisons, mixed linear models, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis. The results showed that the coefficient of variation was highest for δ¹⁵N and lowest for δ¹³C among all traits. Except for δ¹⁵N, the effects of intra- and inter-provenance were highly significant (p < 0.01). The rates of variation for all traits ranged from 78.36% to 99.49% for intra-provenance and from 0.51% to 21.64% for inter-provenance. The heritability of all traits in AQ provenance was over 0.65, and all exhibited the highest level except for seedling height. All traits were significantly positively correlated with each other (p < 0.05), while ground diameter, total biomass, and WUE were highly significantly negatively correlated with latitude (p < 0.01). After a comprehensive evaluation, two provenances and eight genotypes were selected. The genetic gains for seedling height, ground diameter, total biomass, WUE, and NUE were 27.46 cm (178-2-106), 3.85 mm (178-2-141), 16.40 g (178-2-141), 0.852‰ (LA05-N15), and 3.145‰ (174-1-2), respectively. Overall, we revealed that the abundant genetic variation in P. deltoides populations mainly comes from intra-provenance differences and evaluated provenances and genotypes. The results of this study will contribute to optimizing and enhancing the breeding process of Chinese poplar and improving the productivity of fast-growing plantations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants)

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17 pages, 2249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Partial Substitution of Nitrogen Fertilizer with Biogas Slurry Increases Rice Yield and Fertilizer Utilization Efficiency, Enhancing Soil Fertility in the Chaohu Lake Basin

by Yangting Lu, Qian Xiao, Sheng Wu, Haoqiang Yuan, Tingfeng Gao, Tianpei Cai, Xiaowen Wu, Youhua Ma and Xia Liao

Plants 2024, 13(15), 2024; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152024 - 23 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 737

Abstract

To investigate the effects of biogas slurry substitution for fertilizer on rice yield, fertilizer utilization efficiency, and soil fertility, a field experiment was conducted on rice–wheat rotation soil in the Chaohu Lake Basin for two consecutive years, with the following six treatments: no fertilization (CK), conventional fertilization (CF), optimized fertilization (OF), biogas slurry replacing 15% of fertilizer (15% OFB), biogas slurry replacing 30% of fertilizer (30% OFB), and biogas slurry replacing 50% of fertilizer (50% OFB). The field experiment results showed that, compared with CF treatment, OF treatment in 2022 and 2023 significantly increased (p < 0.05) rice yield, promoted the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) by grains and straws, improved fertilizer utilization efficiency, and increased the contents of soil organic C (SOC), NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, hydrolysable N, and available P. The 15% OFB and 30% OFB treatments significantly increased (p < 0.05) rice grain and straw yields compared with CF treatment, and rice grain and straw yields were the highest in the 30% OFB treatment. Compared with CF and OF treatments, 30% OFB treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) the N, P, and K uptake of grains and straws and increased the fertilizer utilization efficiency. Compared with CF treatment, the grain yield of 50% OFB treatment was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in 2022, and there was no significant difference in 2023, which may be because the biogas slurry was applied before planting in 2023 to provide more nutrients for early rice growth. Compared with CF treatment, 30% OFB treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) the contents of SOC, NH₄⁺-N, available K, and hydrolysable N. In summary, optimizing N and K topdressing methods can increase rice yield and improve the fertilizer utilization efficiency and soil fertility. The 30% OFB treatment resulted in the highest rice yield, fertilizer utilization efficiency, and improved soil fertility, indicating that biogas slurry replacing 30% of fertilizer was the best application mode for rice in this region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants)

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19 pages, 3274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

N₂ Fixation, N Transfer, and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) in Grain Legume–Wheat Intercropping: Impact of N Supply and Plant Density

by Sebastian Salinas-Roco, Amanda Morales-González, Soledad Espinoza, Ricardo Pérez-Díaz, Basilio Carrasco, Alejandro del Pozo and Ricardo A. Cabeza

Plants 2024, 13(7), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070991 - 30 Mar 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4247

Abstract

Intercropping legumes with cereals can lead to increased overall yield and optimize the utilization of resources such as water and nutrients, thus enhancing agricultural efficiency. Legumes possess the unique ability to acquire nitrogen (N) through both N₂ fixation and from the available N in the soil. However, soil N can diminish the N₂ fixation capacity of legumes. It is postulated that in intercropping, legumes uptake N mainly through N₂ fixation, leaving more soil N available for cereals. The latter, in turn, has larger root systems, allowing it to explore greater soil volume and absorb more N, mitigating its adverse effects on N₂ fixation in legumes. The goal of this study was to evaluate how the supply of N affects the intercropping of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and peas (Pisum sativum L.) with wheat under varying plant densities and N levels. We measured photosynthetic traits, biomass production, the proportion of N derived from air (%Ndfa) in the shoot of the legumes, the N transferred to the wheat, and the land equivalent ratio (LER). The results revealed a positive correlation between soil N levels and the CO₂ assimilation rate (An), chlorophyll content, and N balance index (NBI) in wheat. However, no significant effect was observed in legumes as soil N levels increased. Transpiration (E) increased in wheat intercropped with legumes, while stomatal conductance (g_s) increased with N addition in all crops. Water use efficiency (WUE) decreased in faba beans intercropped with wheat as N increased, but it showed no significant change in wheat or peas. The shoot dry matter of wheat increased with the addition of N; however, the two legume species showed no significant changes. N addition reduced the %Ndfa of both legume species, especially in monoculture, with peas being more sensitive than faba beans. The intercropping of wheat alleviated N₂ fixation inhibition, especially at high wheat density and increased N transfer to wheat, particularly with peas. The LER was higher in the intercropping treatments, especially under limited N conditions. It is concluded that in the intercropping of wheat with legumes, the N₂ fixation inhibition caused by soil N is effectively reduced, as well as there being a significant N transfer from the legume to the wheat, with both process contributing to increase LER. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants)

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16 pages, 7377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrogen Application Timing and Levels Affect the Fate and Budget of Fertilizer Nitrogen in the Apple–Soil System

by Fen Wang, Chaoran Wang, Binghao Yang, Xinyu Luo, Gaowei Qi, Fajin Ji, Xinkai Guo, Tao Yang, Xuehui Zhao, Ming Li, Qianqian Jiang, Ling Peng and Hui Cao

Plants 2024, 13(6), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060813 - 12 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1362

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of the nitrogen (N) application period and level on the fate of fertilizer N and the contribution of N absorption and translocation to apple organ N. Two N application periods (labeled by the ¹⁵N tracer technique in spring and summer, represented by SP and SU, respectively) and three N levels (N0, MN, and HN) were used to determine the physiological indexes and aboveground, root, and soil ¹⁵N content of 4-year-old dwarf (‘Red Fuji’/M9T337) and arborized (‘Red Fuji’/Malus hupehensis Rehd.) apple trees. The results showed that HN led to shoot overgrowth, which was not conducive to the growth of the apple root system (root length, root tips, root surface area, and root volume) or the improvement of root activity. The contribution of soil N to apple organ N accounted for more than 50%, and the contribution of N application in summer to fruit N was higher than that in spring. Under HN treatment, the proportion of soil N absorbed by trees decreased, while that of fertilizer N increased; however, the highest proportion was still less than 50%, so apple trees were highly dependent on soil N. Under MN treatment, fertilizer N residue was similar to soil N consumption, and soil N fertility maintained a basic balance. Under HN treatment, fertilizer N residue was significantly higher than soil N consumption, indicating that excessive N application increased fertilizer N residue in the soil. Overall, the ¹⁵N utilization rate of arborized trees (17.33–22.38%) was higher than that of dwarf trees (12.89–16.91%). A total of 12.89–22.38% of fertilizer ¹⁵N was absorbed by trees, 30.37–35.41% of fertilizer ¹⁵N remained in the soil, and 44.65–54.46% of fertilizer ¹⁵N was lost. The ¹⁵N utilization rate and ¹⁵N residual rate of summer N application were higher than those of spring N application, and the ¹⁵N loss rate was lower than that of spring N application. High microbial biomass N (MBN) may be one of the reasons for the high N utilization rate and the low loss rate of N application in summer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants)

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22 pages, 6080 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Tea Growth and Quality and Soil Properties of Tea Orchards’ Top Rhizosphere Soil

by Manzoor, Lifeng Ma, Kang Ni and Jianyun Ruan

Plants 2024, 13(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020207 - 11 Jan 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2884

Abstract

Organic-based fertilizers have been ratified to be effective in ameliorating tea growth and the fertility of soil. However, the effect of integrated fertilization on tea growth and quality and the chemical properties of the soil in tea gardens are unclear. To address this, from 2020 to 2021, five different treatments were carried out in the greenhouse of the Tea Research Institute, Hangzhou, CAAS, including CK (control), NPK (chemical fertilizers), RC (rapeseed cake), NPK+B (chemical fertilizer + biochar), and NPK+RC, to investigate the effects of different fertilizations on soil chemistry and tea growth and quality. The results indicated that NPK+B and NPK+RC significantly improved the different amino acid and catechin concentrations in the young shoots, stems, and roots of the tea compared to the CK. The plant growth parameters, e.g., the plant height, no. of leaves, mid-stem girth, and fresh weights of stems and leaves, were significantly increased with integrated fertilization (NPK+B and NPK+RC) compared to the CK and solo organic and inorganic fertilizers. The chlorophyll contents (Chl a, Chl b, and Chl a+b) were generally higher with NPK+RC than with the CK (37%, 35%, and 36%), RC (14%, 26%, and 18%), and NPK (9%, 13%, and 11%) treatments. Integrated fertilization buffered the acidic soil of the tea garden and decreased the soil C:N ratio. NPK+RC also significantly increased the soil’s total C (31% and 16%), N (43% and 31%), P (65% and 40%), available P (31% and 58%), K (70% and 25%), nitrate (504% and 188%), and ammonium (267% and 146%) concentrations compared to the CK and RC. The soil macro- (Mg and Ca) and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu) were significantly improved by the RC (100% and 72%) (49%, 161%, 112%, and 40%) and NPK+RC (88% and 48%) (47%, 75%, 45%, and 14%) compared to the CK. The chlorophyll contents and soil macro- and micronutrients were all significantly positively correlated with tea quality (amino acids and catechin contents) and growth. These results indicated that integrated fertilization improved the soil nutrient status, which is associated with the improvement of tea growth and quality. Thus, integrated nutrient management is a feasible tool for improving tea growth, quality, and low nutrient levels in the soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants)

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17 pages, 1546 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Variable Chloride/Sulfur Doses as Part of Potassium Fertilization on Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Coffee

by Victor Hugo Ramirez-Builes, Jürgen Küsters, Ellen Thiele, Luis Alfredo Leal-Varon and Jorge Arteta-Vizcaino

Plants 2023, 12(10), 2033; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12102033 - 19 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1758

Abstract

Chloride (Cl⁻) is applied in coffee at rates as a “macronutrient” in the form of muriate of potash (MOP). Potassium (K⁺) is one of the most demanded nutrients by the coffee plant, and MOP is one of the most used fertilizers in coffee production. No scientific evidence shows how Cl⁻ applied with MOP influences coffee growth, nutrient uptake, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). In order to address these questions, a greenhouse trial over two years and a field trial over four years were conducted. The trials were designed to test the influence of variable Cl⁻/S ratios on biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake, and NUE. A significant effect of the Cl⁻ rates on growth was observed under greenhouse conditions but a non-significant effect on yield under field conditions. Cl⁻ and S significantly influenced the NUE in coffee. The results allow us to conclude that Cl⁻ rates need to be balanced with S rates, and that Cl⁻ applied at macronutrient rates can improve the NUE in coffee between 7 and 21% in greenhouse conditions and between 9% and 14% in field conditions, as long as the rates do not exceed 180 mg L⁻¹ Cl⁻ and 80 mg·L⁻¹ S in the greenhouse and 150 kg·ha⁻¹·year⁻¹ Cl⁻ and 50 kg ha⁻¹·year⁻¹ S in the field. With the aim to improve the NUE in coffee, the Cl⁻ content in leaves in coffee should be lower than 0.33% of dry matter, and in soil lower than 30 mg·L⁻¹. In practical terms, coffee farmers need to balance K-based fertilizers to avoid the excessive Cl⁻ applications that reduce the nutrient use efficiency, especially the NUE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants)

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14 pages, 1009 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Productivity of Three Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Varieties as Influenced by Nutrient Supply and Meteorological Conditions in Boreal Environmental Zone

by Daiva Janusauskaite

Plants 2023, 12(10), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101938 - 9 May 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2551

Abstract

In order to grow crops that reduce the negative impact on the environment, as well as meet the nutritional needs of the increasing human population, it is necessary to include new and more sustainable production strategies into current agricultural systems. The aim of our study was to evaluate the optimal nutritional conditions of semi-leafless pea productivity and ascertain the influence of meteorological factors on the productivity of these plants under boreal environmental conditions. The test involved three semi-leafless pea varieties, one of which was a new variety, and eight N fertilization treatments were used: (1) without fertilizers (N₀), (2) without N fertilizers (N₀), (3) N₁₅, (4) N₃₀, (5) N₄₅, (6) N₁₅₊₁₅, (7) N₆₀, and (8) N₆₀. Plots of the second–seventh treatment received a base application of P₄₀K₈₀; the eighth treatment received P₈₀K₁₆₀. Fertilizer efficiency depended on the meteorological conditions. Based on their productivity, the pea varieties were arranged in the following descending order: Ieva DS ˃ Respect ˃ Simona. Compared with unfertilized peas, NPK fertilizers enhanced the seed yield by 10.6–12.9% on average. Splitting the N₃₀ rate and applying N₆₀, under a background of P₄₀K₈₀, was not efficient. The optimal rate of N_15–45P₄₀K₈₀ fertilizers for peas was determined. Meteorological factors significantly influenced seed yield by 75.2%, 44.1%, and 79.9% for varieties Ieva DS, Simona, and Respect, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Nutrient Use Efficiency Improvement in Plants)

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