Optimizing Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Cereal Crop Production Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Nitrogen (N) is a key component of proteins, nucleic acids and vital chemical substances, and thus is an indispensable mineral for crop productivity and quality. N use efficiency (NUE) is defined as “grain dry matter produced per unit of available N”, and is evaluated with key processes such as uptake, distribution, remobilization and trade-off of N. Over the course of several decades, many strategies have been explored to improve NUE with the combination of genetics (G), environments (E) and management (M). Despite great efforts to enhance NUE, the utilization of nitrogen in cereal crops still remains lower than 40%. Therefore, innovative solutions are imperative to improve crop yields and NUE simultaneously, while maintaining and/or reducing N application rate. The main objective of this Special Issue is to extend and share novel knowledge and cutting-edge technologies to better understand the hidden mechanisms of NUE in crop plants in various cropping systems. We invite authors to submit original research and reviews that contribute knowledge to the following subtopics (although papers are not strictly limited to these topics):

• Application of agricultural practices (managements) to enhance NUE and crop yield;
• Nitrogen metabolisms from absorption via distribution/partitioning and assimilation to remobilization in crop plants;
• Impact of soil environments, in terms of physical, chemical and biological properties, on crop NUE

Dr. Jwakyung Sung
Guest Editor

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