Deficiencies of Secondary Nutrients in Crop Plants—A Real Challenge to Improve Nitrogen Management
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Review of manuscript (2102263): Deficiencies of Secondary Nutrients in Crop Plants ─ A Real Challenge to Improve Nitrogen Management
The publication presented for review is very interesting. It was correctly written in terms of content, methodology and editorial content.
1. The main question addressed by the research: secondary nutrient (e.g., calcium, magnesium, sulfur) deficiencies in crop plants disturb the nitrogen balance in the plants, thus reducing the overall yield. This hypothesis was analyzed based on the physiological functions of these nutrients, in relation to the uptake and utilization of N, in crop plants
2.The topic are original or relevant in the field. The address a specific gap in the field.
3. The publication, in comparison with other works, brings elements of novelty, because it examines the influence of Ca, Mg on the nitrogen balance in the plant. And this is new. The influence of these elements on the nitrogen balance in the plant is rarely or not at all compared.
4. The methodology in the presented work does not raise any objections.
5. The conclusions correspond to the assumed hypothesis, title and discussion of the results.
6. The references are appropriate.
7. Tables and drawings are drawn up correctly.
I propose to the authors of the publication minor corrections to improve it.
Figure 9 – correct the description in the drawing on agricultural
120, 123- Literature – should be Haneklaus
I recommend publication for printing in the journal Agronomy.
Author Response
Review report 1_response
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Review of manuscript (2102263): Deficiencies of Secondary Nutrients in Crop Plants ─ A Real Challenge to Improve Nitrogen Management
The publication presented for review is very interesting. It was correctly written in terms of content, methodology and editorial content.
1. The main question addressed by the research: secondary nutrient (e.g., calcium, magnesium, sulfur) deficiencies in crop plants disturb the nitrogen balance in the plants, thus reducing the overall yield. This hypothesis was analyzed based on the physiological functions of these nutrients, in relation to the uptake and utilization of N, in crop plants
2.The topic are original or relevant in the field. The address a specific gap in the field.
3. The publication, in comparison with other works, brings elements of novelty, because it examines the influence of Ca, Mg on the nitrogen balance in the plant. And this is new. The influence of these elements on the nitrogen balance in the plant is rarely or not at all compared.
- The methodology in the presented work does not raise any objections.
- The conclusions correspond to the assumed hypothesis, title and discussion of the results.
- The references are appropriate.
7. Tables and drawings are drawn up correctly.
I propose to the authors of the publication minor corrections to improve it.
Figure 9 – correct the description in the drawing on agricultural
It has been corrected.
120, 123- Literature – should be Haneklaus
It has been corrected.
I recommend publication for printing in the journal Agronomy.
The certificate of the language edition of the manuscript is attached.
On behalf of the authors
Witold Grzebisz
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
1. The manuscript reviews lot of works on Ca, Mg and S, especially in crop root architecture, which has great enlightenment to improve crop nutrients absorption efficiency. As secondary nutrients, its function on crop growth is limited compared with macro-nutrients such as N, P and K. In general, secondary nutrients are used to boost fruits quality. If there are some problems of soil stress or environmental stress, the secondary nutrients will be as main factors. So we can not ignore the major ones, such like water condition, soil fertility, will largely affect the root growth, so I suggest to add some discussion about these to improve convincing.
2. I agree the discussion of Mg and S, but the farmer need to know more about of the new type of these fertilizers, and is there new method to apply in field. I suggest to add some new reference.
3. Some other suggestions, such as no frame of figures, to shorten manuscript, deleting some general information.
4. In the abstract, the sentence “In humid climates, the excessive uptake of calcium by plants occurs during water shortages; “ is not clear, also water shortage will significantly limit N uptakes directly, because N moving with moisture flow. The excessive Ca uptake is not the key point.
Author Response
Review report 2_response
- The manuscript reviews lot of works on Ca, Mg and S, especially in crop root architecture, which has great enlightenment to improve crop nutrients absorption efficiency. As secondary nutrients, its function on crop growth is limited compared with macro-nutrients such as N, P and K. In general, secondary nutrients are used to boost fruits quality. If there are some problems of soil stress or environmental stress, the secondary nutrients will be as main factors. So we can not ignore the major ones, such like water condition, soil fertility, will largely affect the root growth, so I suggest to add some discussion about these to improve convincing.
The issue of the role of the factors determining the growth of roots in the soil and their role in N managment was discussed by the authors in the article entitled:
Grzebisz, W.; Diatta, J.; Barłóg, P.; Biber, M.; Potarzycki, J.; Łukowiak, R.; Przygocka-Cyna, K.; Szczepaniak, W. Soil fertility clock─crop rotation as a paradigm in nitrogen fertilizer productivity control. Plants 2022, 11, 2841.
A corresponding reference to this article is included in the text. Both of these articles constitute a substantive unity.
- I agree the discussion of Mg and S, but the farmer need to know more about of the new type of these fertilizers, and is there new method to apply in field. I suggest to add some new reference.
The article discusses three basic sulfur fertilizing carriers: gypsum (CaSO4 × H2O), elemental sulfir (S0), and magnesium sulphates (MgSO4 × 7H2O, MgSO4 × H2O). Several new carries of both nutrients as polyhalite, struvite, have been added.
- Some other suggestions, such as no frame of figures, to shorten manuscript, deleting some general information.
It has been corrected.
- In the abstract, the sentence “In humid climates, the excessive uptake of calcium by plants occurs during water shortages; “ is not clear, also water shortage will significantly limit N uptakes directly, because N moving with moisture flow. The excessive Ca uptake is not the key point.
I agree with the reviewer, but the excessive uptake of Ca2+ as a result of water shortage limits the uptake of other catiions (K+, Mg2+). These parallel processes result in both lower N uptake and N utilization efficiency. The ultimate consequence is a much lower yield.
- The certificate of the language edition of the manuscript is attached.
On behalf of the authors
Witold Grzebisz
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
My opinion about this article was as follows:
The paper is well-written and gives a good overview of the issue. Although it is a lengthy paper, the thoroughness of it justifies the length.
In the introduction, there is the topic's discontinuity between the paragraphs that need to be corrected. In the first paragraph, the author mentioned Engel's Law. Engel's Law is an economic theory that describes the relationship between household income and a particular good or service expenditure. It states that as family income increases, the percentage of income spent on food decreases. As we all know, a small part of the increase in food demand is due to the increase in income and welfare of people. Population growth has a greater contribution to the increase in food demand. Fully explain the relationship between Enpel's Law and this paragraph. Also, rewrite the final paragraph of the introduction.
The author has mentioned the water shortage in different parts of the article, but it would be better for the author to add a separate section to the article and discuss the role and limitations of water shortage on all the relationships mentioned in the article.
Generally, All the figures in the article are drawn very simply. All figures must be improved. In addition, the legend in the figures should not be an abbreviation. The legend should be placed on the upper right side. Remove the lines around the figures. The reference of figures should be mentioned in the caption. If the number in the figure is the average of two columns, it must be written in the caption. Choose better colors for the figures.
Author Response
Review Report 3-response
My opinion about this article was as follows:
The paper is well-written and gives a good overview of the issue. Although it is a lengthy paper, the thoroughness of it justifies the length.
In the introduction, there is the topic's discontinuity between the paragraphs that need to be corrected. In the first paragraph, the author mentioned Engel's Law. Engel's Law is an economic theory that describes the relationship between household income and a particular good or service expenditure. It states that as family income increases, the percentage of income spent on food decreases. As we all know, a small part of the increase in food demand is due to the increase in income and welfare of people. Population growth has a greater contribution to the increase in food demand. Fully explain the relationship between Enpel's Law and this paragraph. Also, rewrite the final paragraph of the introduction.
Unfortunately. I do not agree with the reviewer. In the area of world’s population feeding, the problem raised by the authors is widely discussed. Attached are two publications justifying the authores approach to this issue.
Engel’s law has been explained.
The last part of the introduction has been corrected.
Clements, K.W., Si, J. 2017. Engel’s law, diet diversity, and the quality of food consumption. Am. J. Agric. Ec. 100(1), 1-22.
Clements, K. W., 2019. Four Laws of Consumption. Economic Record, Vol. 95, Issue 310, pp. 358-385.
The author has mentioned the water shortage in different parts of the article, but it would be better for the author to add a separate section to the article and discuss the role and limitations of water shortage on all the relationships mentioned in the article.
The problem of the role of water in crop production accounts for 50% of all publication in agriculture. The authors unequivocally assumed that water is the superior factor in the crop production, so without this factor, the operation of other production factor cannot be considerd.
This aspect of the action of water was emphasized in relevant parts of the manuscript.
Generally, All the figures in the article are drawn very simply. All figures must be improved. In addition, the legend in the figures should not be an abbreviation. The legend should be placed on the upper right side. Remove the lines around the figures. The reference of figures should be mentioned in the caption. If the number in the figure is the average of two columns, it must be written in the caption. Choose better colors for the figures.
I fully agree with the reviewer the figures are simple and uncomplicated. The aim of this article is to explain very complex phenomena in a simple and unambiguos way.
All figures have been corrected throughout the manuscript.
The certificate of the language edition of the manuscript is attached.
On behalf of the authors
Witold Grzebisz
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
