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Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 31861

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Prof. Dr. Gian Attilio Sacchi

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi du Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
Interests: plant mineral nutrition; nutrient use efficiency; heavy metals detoxification; plant responses to abiotic stresses

Dr. Fabio Francesco Nocito

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
Interests: plant mineral nutrition; nutrient use efficiency; heavy metals detoxification; plant response to abiotic stress

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increase in the global population, along with the effects of global climate changes, underline the need to rise and stabilize crop productivity and to develop more resource-efficient cropping systems. In this context, different aspects related to plant mineral nutrition and nutrient management practices appear to be of pivotal importance to reach these goals.

Crop nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is a complex trait that depends not only on the ability of the plants to take up nutrients from the soil but also on their capacity to use nutrients to promote yield. This trait is of particular interest as a significant target for crop breeding, since the per se selection for improved yield often results in higher demands for mineral nutrients.

Improvement of our knowledge on crop NUE will also be brought about by a better understanding of root physiological responses to different soil conditions, with particular regard to the effects of nutrient availability on root architecture and root–microbe interactions inside the soil.

Alternative strategies to improve crop NUE are based on the development of precision fertilization techniques that specifically require both the real-time and remote monitoring of crop nutritional status. In this regard, the use of satellite-driven images, as well as of plant bioindicators, will provide novel opportunities to develop site-specific fertilization techniques matching nutrient supply with crop requirements and simultaneously minimizing nutrient losses from the fields.

This Special Issue aims at highlighting novel perspectives in crop mineral nutrition. Contributions are invited from scientists working at the molecular, genetic, physiological, agronomic, and ecological levels.

Prof. Dr. Gian Attilio Sacchi
Prof. Dr. Fabio Francesco Nocito
Guest Editors

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Keywords

mineral nutrition
nutrient use efficiency
root system architecture
rhizosphere
endosphere
root-microbe interaction
crop nutritional status monitoring
precision fertilization

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soybean Nutrition in a Novel Single-Nutrient Source Hydroponic Solution

by David L. Cole, Savannah J. Kobza, Savannah R. Fahning, Samuel H. Stapley, Dicken K. A. Bonsrah, Rachel L. Buck and Bryan G. Hopkins

Agronomy 2021, 11(3), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030523 - 11 Mar 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3506

Abstract

Hydroponic systems are efficient for studying plant nutrition. It is often desirable to adjust individual nutrients for unique species’ needs and/or to create multiple nutrient deficiencies within the same study. However, this is challenging to do with traditional solutions as nutrients are generally added as dual nutrient salts, such as when varying phosphorus (P) concentration also affects nitrogen concentration; potentially, the chemical form of the nutrient taken up when ammonium phosphate is the source for P. This can create unintended consequences with nutrients other than those intended for adjustment. A new hydroponic system has been created to allow for nutrient deficiencies using single-nutrient sources, including ammonium nitrate; phosphoric, sulfuric, hydrochloric, and boric acids; potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper carbonates; manganese acetate; sodium molybdate; iron EDDHA; with HEDTA as an additional chelate. This nutrient solution was compared to a traditional “Hoagland” hydroponic solution to grow soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr). Additional treatments included alteration of pH in the new solution as well as evaluating varying levels of calcium, magnesium, and manganese. This new solution proved effective, as soybean was grown to maturity and performed as well as the traditional Hoagland solution. Adjusting pH downward with hydrochloric acid resulted in healthy plants, but solution pH was not adequately buffered. Adjusting pH with acetic acid resulted in toxicity. Further work is required to provide better pH buffering and approximately align tissue nutrient concentrations with field-grown soybean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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29 pages, 4448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Crop and Residue Management Improves Productivity and Profitability of Rice–Maize System in Salt-Affected Rainfed Lowlands of East India

by Sukanta K. Sarangi, Sudhanshu Singh, Ashish K. Srivastava, Madhu Choudhary, Uttam K. Mandal, Tashi D. Lama, Kshirendra K. Mahanta, Virender Kumar, Parbodh C. Sharma and Abdelbagi M. Ismail

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 2019; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10122019 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3566

Abstract

This study was conducted over 3 years in a salt-affected coastal rainfed lowland ecosystem. Farmers most commonly grow tall rice varieties in the wet season to cope with flash and/or stagnant floods, leading to large amounts of rice residue production. Most of the land remains fallow during the dry season because of increased salinity and scarcity of freshwater for irrigation. The study aims to provide options for increasing cropping intensity through management of crop residues (CR) and soil salinity, conservation of soil moisture, and reduction in production cost. The rice–maize rotation was assessed with rice as the main plot as (1) puddled transplanted rice (PTR) with CR of both rice and maize removed, (2) PTR and 40% CR of both crops retained, (3) dry direct-seeded rice (DSR) with CR of both crops removed, and (4) DSR with 40% CR of both crops retained. Maize in the dry season was supplied with different N levels as sub-plots—control (0 kg N ha⁻¹), 80, 120, and 160 kg N ha⁻¹. DSR, when combined with CR retention (DSR + R), reduced soil salinity. The increase in rice grain yield with CR retention (observed in second and third years) and crop establishment (higher in DSR versus PTR in the third year) was 16 and 24%, respectively. The cost of production increased by 17% (USD 605 ha⁻¹) in PTR compared with DSR (USD 518 ha⁻¹). CR retention reduced irrigation water requirement by 37% and N requirement by 40 kg ha⁻¹ for hybrid maize. When CR was removed (−R), the N requirement for hybrid maize increased to 160 kg N ha⁻¹ compared to when it was partially (40%) retained, where the requirement was 120 kg ha⁻¹ with similar yields. Available N was highest under DSR + R (314 kg ha⁻¹) and lowest under PTR − R (169 kg ha⁻¹), and it also increased with increasing N application up to 120 kg ha⁻¹ (+R) and 160 kg ha⁻¹ (−R). The results of the study hold promise for increasing cropping intensity and farmers’ incomes, with broader implications for increasing productivity on about 2.95 million hectares currently under a rice–fallow system in eastern India, and in coastal areas affected by similar conditions in South and Southeast Asia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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11 pages, 2037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fruit Yields Depend on Biomass and Nutrient Accumulations in New Shoots of Citrus Trees

by Zihan Fan, Huaye Xiong, Yayin Luo, Yuheng Wang, Huanyu Zhao, Wenli Li, Xinhua He, Jie Wang, Xiaojun Shi and Yueqiang Zhang

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1988; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121988 - 17 Dec 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3529

Abstract

New shoots (including newly formed leaves and twigs) and fruits of citrus tree are key organs for present yield formation and flower differentiation in the next season, but the relationship between yield fluctuation and accumulations of major nutrients in new shoots and fruits of citrus tree is still unclear. Thus, to quantify the biomass and mineral nutrient accumulation in new shoots and fruits of citrus trees under varied yield levels has essential significance for rational fertilization and pruning management for citrus orchards. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the accumulation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and the distribution of biomass in new shoots and fruits of citrus trees under low, medium and high-yield levels in each of eight orchards located in Chongqing, China. The results showed that substantial variation of fruit yield was observed in all eight orchards with an average yield of 15.0 (low), 30.9 (medium) and 60.1 (high) kg/plant. The averaged biomass of new shoots ranged from 1.59 to 2.51 kg/plant, which was significantly and positively correlated with fruit yield. Nutrient accumulation in leaves was generally highest among new organs, while more than half of N (52.70–71.4%), P (66.5–80.4%) and K (68.9–85.9%) accumulated in fruit. Fruit yields closely correlated with total amounts of major nutrients in new shoots. Furthermore, the nutrient requirements per unit of newly developed shoots and fruits were gradually decreased with increased yield, but the removed nutrients per ton of fresh fruit were almost stable, indicating that more nutrients were distributed into fruit tissues. Taken together, these findings are valuable for optimizing nutrient and pruning management in citrus orchards in China and other similar countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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16 pages, 1060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilisation Influences Growth, Rhizosphere Carboxylate Exudation and Mycorrhizal Colonisation in Temperate Perennial Pasture Grasses

by Sangay Tshewang, Zed Rengel, Kadambot H. M. Siddique and Zakaria M. Solaiman

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1878; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121878 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1772

Abstract

Optimisation of potassium (K) use efficiency in pastures on sandy soil is challenging. We characterised growth response, root carboxylate exudation and mycorrhizal colonisation in three perennial pasture grasses: tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.), veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina Sm.) and tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum L.) in two glasshouse experiments with: (1) four K rates (0, 40, 80 and 120 mg K kg^-1 soil), and (2) four N and K treatments (no N and K (–N–K), 81 mg N kg^-1 soil but no K, 80 mg K kg^-1 soil but no N, and N at 81 and K at 80 mg kg^-1 soil (+N+K)) in low-K sandy soil. Veldt grass had the highest shoot dry weight and shoot P content, but the lowest mycorrhizal colonisation. Potassium fertilisation had no significant impact on exudation of citrate and oxalate. The K0 plants had significantly lower exudation of acetate and total carboxylates than K40 plants. The +N+K plants had maximum shoot growth at both harvests (30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS)) and highest N and K shoot contents at 60 DAS. The –N–K plants exuded maximum amounts of citrate and malate at 30 DAS, but at 60 DAS tall fescue had the highest rhizosphere concentrations of citrate and malate in the +N+K treatment. At 60 DAS, mycorrhizal colonisation was significantly lower with than without N and K fertilisation. We concluded that pasture grasses could yield well even in inherently low-K soil without external K fertilisation and mycorrhizal symbiosis. However, the +N+K plants had the highest yield and root carboxylate exudation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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12 pages, 1353 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Effects of Induced Water Deficit and Foliar Application of Silicon on the Gas Exchange of Tomatoes for Processing

by Diogo Henrique Morato de Moraes, Marcio Mesquita, Amanda Magalhães Bueno, Rilner Alves Flores, Henrique Fonseca Elias de Oliveira, Frederico Simões Raimundo de Lima, Renato de Mello Prado and Rafael Battisti

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1715; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111715 - 5 Nov 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2419

Abstract

The beneficial effects of silicon (Si) on plants have been widely reported for its fruit qualitative improvements, growth gains, and protection against abiotic and biotic stresses. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of soil water potential (Ψs) (−30 and −60 kPa) and the foliar application of Si (0.0 (control), 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 g L⁻¹) in the development of tomatoes grown in a greenhouse. We evaluated the biometric parameters and gas exchange in three periods (20, 34, and 48 days after planting). The rates of transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), and net photosynthesis assimilation (A_n) were lower when the plants were subjected to water deficit. The foliar application of Si attenuated the effect of the water deficit in both levels applied to the crop. A high response was observed at −60 kPa, regardless of the evaluated period. However, a significant effect was not observed on the relative chlorophyll index and biomass accumulation when Si was applied. A foliar application up to 2.8 g L⁻¹ promotes increases in A_n,gs, and E. It is highlighted that Si can promote improvements in gas exchange when plants are affected by a water deficit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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12 pages, 1400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Foliar Application of Urea and Urea-Formaldehyde/Triazone on Soybean and Corn Crops

by Bruno Maia Abdo Rahmen Cassim, Antonio Pedro Martins Machado, Daniel Fortune, Fernando Rodrigues Moreira, Éder Júnior De Oliveira Zampar and Marcelo Augusto Batista

Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1549; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101549 - 11 Oct 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4660

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of urea and urea-formaldehyde, triazone-based fertilizers on soybean and corn crops. Four experiments were carried out, two on soybeans, one on first season corn, and the other on second season corn. The experiments were conducted using a randomized block design, with 5 treatments studied: T1—control without application of foliar nitrogen (N); T2—foliar application of conventional urea solution and three treatments with Hexion foliar fertilizers based on urea-formaldehyde and triazone (N-Hexion^®), with varying levels of N and slow-release components; T3—Hexion 1; T4—Hexion 2; and T5—Hexion 3. The foliar application of conventional urea showed no statistically significant difference in relation to the control for the yield components and grain yield for the soybean crops in seasons 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. Urea-formaldehyde/triazone treatments showed a significant increase in yield for soybeans in the 2018–2019 season compared to the control and to conventional urea. Nitrogen fertilizers with high percentages of slow-release compounds promote nitrogen release more slowly, which led to no significant increase in yield for Hexion 1. No statistical differences were observed in the corn yield for the first and second crop. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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17 pages, 870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Onion (Allium cepa L.) Yield and Growth Dynamics Response to In-Season Patterns of Nitrogen and Sulfur Uptake

by Katarzyna Przygocka-Cyna, Przemysław Barłóg, Witold Grzebisz and Tomasz Spiżewski

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081146 - 6 Aug 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7159

Abstract

The in-season trend of onion biomass and its yield depend on the dynamics of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) uptake. This hypothesis was verified based on a three-year (2009, 2010, 2011) field study (Poznan University of Life Sciences). The experimental factors consisted of N: 0, 60, 120 and S: 0, 30, 60 kg ha⁻¹. The dynamics of onion total dry weight (TDW), total N uptake (TNU), and total S uptake (TSU) were determined at 10-day intervals. The in-season course of TDW and TNU was best described by the expolinear and TSU by the quadratic growth model. Sulfur uptake increased in onion at day after emergence (DAE) 40, independent of its rate with respect to SN control, resulting in increased N by 50%, and consequently higher yield. The maximum absolute S uptake rate (SC_m), a factor defining yield, increased progressively with the N rate, but only in the absence of S application. Plants fertilized simultaneously with S and N showed a more complicated impact on SC_m. The N rate of 120 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in SC_m reduction, leading to a yield drop. The expolinear model indicated an onion growth disturbance, revealed under unfavorable growth conditions, leading to yield depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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11 pages, 1482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Productive Potential of Nitrogen and Zinc Fertigated Sugarcane

by Fernando Nobre Cunha, Marconi Batista Teixeira, Edson Cabral da Silva, Nelmício Furtado da Silva, Cicero Teixeira Silva Costa, Vitor Marques Vidal, Wilker Alves Morais, Leonardo Nazário Silva dos Santos, Fernando Rodrigues Cabral Filho, Daniely Karen Matias Alves, Jaqueline Aparecida Batista Soares and Luiz Fernando Gomes

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081096 - 29 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2017

Abstract

The relevance of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in the agribusiness is irrefutable because it not only contributes greatly to the development of countries but is also an important source of job creation and income generation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stalk productivity (SP) and sugar and alcohol yields of plant and ratoon crops of sugarcane (variety IACSP 95-5000) under N and Zn fertigation treatments using a central pivot, in Cerrado Red Latosol soil. The experiment was conducted under field conditions, in the municipality of Jataí, Goiás (GO), Brazil. A randomized block design was used, with a 4 × 5 split-plot arrangement and three replications. The fertilization treatments consisted of four doses of N (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha⁻¹) and five doses of Zn (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kg ha⁻¹) in plant and ratoon crops. N fertilization treatments, in the form of urea, were divided into three applications from 60 days after planting. Zn fertilization, in the form of Zn sulfate, was applied in a single application. Sugarcane was harvested 330 days after planting. The productivity (SP) was determined by weighing the stalks present in the respective subplots. Sugar and alcohol yields were calculated from the amount of raw sugar determined in the technological analysis. The sugar and alcohol yields of sugarcane (variety IACSP 95-5000) were improved with the fertigation of 180 kg ha⁻¹ of N, in relation to Zn doses. Compared with the control (without N fertigation), sugarcane productivity (plant and ratoon crops) increased by 38.90% and 13.70% when treated with 180 kg ha⁻¹ of N at the Zn dose of 10 kg ha⁻¹. Sugarcane (variety IACSP 95-5000) has productive performance, sugar and alcohol yield, optimized and maximized when fertigated with 10 kg ha⁻¹ of zinc and 180 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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12 pages, 1113 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Rice Yields and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Optimizing Nitrogen Management and Applications to Rapeseed in Rapeseed-Rice Rotation System

by Peng Ma, Yan Lan, Tengfei Lyu, Yujie Zhang, Dan Lin, Feijie Li, Yu Li, Zhiyuan Yang, Yongjian Sun and Jun Ma

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081060 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2503

Abstract

This investigation aims to provide theoretical and practical evidence for the efficient utilization of nitrogen (N) in paddy-upland rapeseed-rice rotation systems because a lack of previous research on such rotation systems leads to inefficient management practices. The effects of the N application rates and the N fertilizer management strategies for rapeseed and rice were examined, respectively, in relation to the photosynthetic productivity and yields of hybrid rice. The results indicated that the leaf area, Pn, with 40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilize, and 20% as panicle fertilizer and a reduced N rate (30 kg/ha) during the rape season, were higher than other nitrogen management strategies trialed, with conventional N rates in the rape season. The average rice grain yield (9545.15 kg/ha) over the two years with 40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilizer, and 20% as panicle fertilizer was higher than other N treatments with the reduced N rates during the rape season. The reduced N rate during the rapeseed season and 40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilizer, and 20% as panicle fertilizer management during the rice season for the rape-rice rotation system exhibited the highest rice yields. Our findings indicated that the N fertilizer management model was a high-yielding, N-saving, and environmentally friendly measure for rape–rice rotation systems in southern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Mineral Nutrition: Old and Emerging Challenges and Opportunities)

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