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Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture

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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 (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 28395

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Dr. Helen Suter

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Guest Editor

School of Agriculture and Food, The University of Melbourne, Richmond 3010, Australia
Interests: food security; sustainable agriculture; nitrogen fertiliser efficiency; reactive nitrogen

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nitrogen fertiliser is critical for meeting global food demand. Optimising nitrogen nutrition and the efficiency of fertiliser use in agricultural systems continues to be a challenge for producers, more so under a changing climate. Currently, nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency in many production systems is poor due to over-fertilisation or a lack of synchronicity between nitrogen supply and plant demand, leading to reduced productivity and/or environmental contamination from the release of reactive nitrogen. Conversely, under-fertilisation can limit productivity and lead to a depletion of organic matter stocks and soil carbon, and cause soil degradation. The inefficient use of nitrogen affects yield and harvest quality, further impacting food security. Optimising nitrogen use for long-term sustainable food security requires at times more inputs, such as nutrient-limited systems, and at other times, fewer inputs, alongside the development of novel high efficiency fertilisers and the use of robust systems analysis tools.

The focus of this Special Issue is on optimising nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency for improved food security, food quality, and environmental outcomes. We welcome novel research and reviews on all aspects of nitrogen fertiliser management, including the areas of soil science, agronomy, livestock systems, fertiliser technologies, plant breeding, systems analysis, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and reactive nitrogen impacts, and encourage papers that encompass research at the regional, national, and global scales.

Dr. Helen Suter
Guest Editor

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Keywords

nitrogen use efficiency
nitrous oxide emissions
ammonia emissions
enhanced efficiency fertilizers
food security
reactive nitrogen
soil science
climate mitigation and adaptation
nitrogen budget

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 1271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Yield and Macronutrient Concentrations in Three Cultivars of Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

by Jadwiga Wierzbowska, Bożena Cwalina-Ambroziak and Bożena Bogucka

Agronomy 2021, 11(11), 2161; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112161 - 27 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1713

Abstract

In many countries, Jerusalem artichoke (JA) is a source of biomass for renewable energy production and alternative biofuel feedstock, and it is used for feed and food production. The species also has medicinal properties, and it is used in soil reclamation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of N fertilization on the yield and macronutrient concentrations in JA tubers. The effect of N fertilization (control plot, unfertilized, 80 and 120 kg ha⁻¹) on aerial biomass yield, tuber yield, and the mineral composition of tubers in three JA cultivars (“cv.”) (Rubik, Albik, and Gute Gelbe) was investigated in a field experiment. Tuber yield (40.99 Mg ha⁻¹) and aerial biomass yield (62.76 Mg ha⁻¹) were highest in cv. Gute Gelbe fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹ in the warm and moderately wet growing season of 2018. Agronomic N-use efficiency (AE) was highest in cv. Gute Gelbe. In the treatment supplied with 80 kg N ha⁻¹, the fresh matter yield (FMY) of tubers was determined at 66.4 kg kg⁻¹ N, whereas in the treatment fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹, the FMY of tubers reached 101.8 kg kg⁻¹ N. The evaluated JA cultivars differed in their responses to an increase in the N fertilizer (marginal efficiency—ME) rate from 80 to 120 kg ha⁻¹. The strongest response was observed in cv. Gute Gelbe, where the tuber yield increased by 172.6 kg kg⁻¹ N. The tubers of cv. Gute Gelbe were characterized by significantly higher concentrations of N, K, Mg, and S compared with the other cultivars. The concentrations of macronutrients in the tubers (without Mg) were higher in spring. Nitrogen fertilization did not cause differences in the concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, but it increased the N concentration in tubers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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13 pages, 1884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Release of Nitrogen from Granulate Mineral and Organic Fertilizers and Its Effect on Selected Chemical Parameters of Soil

by Tomasz Niedziński, María José Sierra, Jan Łabętowicz, Kinga Noras, Cristina Cabrales and Rocio Millán

Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1981; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11101981 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2927

Abstract

The objective of this work was the evaluation of the release patterns of nitrogen from various types of fertilizers and their impact on selected chemical parameters of calcareous soil. Three mineral fertilizers and two organic fertilizers were tested in the laboratory for 35 days. This study showed the rapid release of nitrogen from mineral types. More than 70% of the nitrogen was released from the ammonium granules and 98% from the urea granules. The rate of nitrogen release from pellets of organic origin was much slower than from mineral pellets, the released N was 15–28% of the original amount. Soil pH was altered by incubation. The content of soil N changed significantly due to the incubation of N mineral fertilizers; no changes were observed for organic fertilizers. The EC value of the soil solution was significantly modified under the influence of mineral granules, it reached a maximum of 1147 µS cm⁻¹ on the 10th day, and for organic fertilizers of 944 µS cm⁻¹ on the 35th day. The results of this study characterize each N release pattern, providing data to support a more efficient nutrient management strategy in calcareous soils and the effect of incubated fertilizers on soil chemical parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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15 pages, 1549 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ammonium-Based Compound Fertilisers Mitigate Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Temperate Grassland

by Amanuel W. Gebremichael, Niharika Rahman, Dominika J. Krol, Patrick J. Forrestal, Gary J. Lanigan and Karl G. Richards

Agronomy 2021, 11(9), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091712 - 27 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3186

Abstract

Nitrogen fertiliser application represents the largest anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, and the magnitude of these emissions is dependent on the type of fertilisers applied in the agroecosystems. Despite N-P-K compound fertilisers being commonly used in agricultural soils, a lack of information exists regarding their effects on N₂O emissions. This study aims at examining the effects of different commonly used N-P-K compound fertiliser formulations with contrasting nitrate to ammonium ratios (0.05 to 0.88) on N₂O emissions, yield, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in temperate grassland and to compare these variables with common straight N fertilisers. Compound fertilisers with varying NPK inclusion rates (18-6-12, 10-10-20, 24-2.2-4.5, and 27-2.5-5), and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and urea + N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) were applied at 80 kg N ha⁻¹ to experimental plots in managed grassland on two occasions in a growing season. Fluxes of N₂O during the experiment period, yield and NUE following two harvests were measured. The cumulative N₂O emission from urea + NBPT, 18-6-12, 10-10-20, and 24-2.2-4.5 treatments were significantly reduced by 44%, 43%, 37%, and 31% compared with CAN treatment under conducive soil moisture condition. Under the same soil condition, 18-6-12 and 10-10-20 treatments showed higher yield, N uptake, and NUE although did not significantly differ from the other fertiliser treatments. Our results suggest that ammonium-based compound fertilisers have a potential to reduce N₂O emissions while maintaining yields. Further long-term study is needed to capture the full magnitude of variations in N₂O emissions, including ammonia (NH₃) volatilization from nitrate and ammonium-based compound fertiliser applications from multiple soil types and under different climatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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13 pages, 3507 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of Nitrification Inhibitors on Soil Nitrification and Ammonia Volatilization in Three Soils with Different pH

by Lei Cui, Dongpo Li, Zhijie Wu, Yan Xue, Furong Xiao, Lili Zhang, Yuchao Song, Yonghua Li, Ye Zheng, Jinming Zhang and Yongkun Cui

Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1674; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081674 - 23 Aug 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5181

Abstract

The application of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) is considered to be an efficient way to delay nitrification, but the effect of NIs combinations on soil nitrification and ammonia (NH₃) volatilization are not clear in soils with different pH values. In this study, we explored the effect of nitrapyrin (CP) and its combinations with 3, 4-dimethylepyrazole phosphate (DMPP), dicyandiamide (DCD) on the transformation of nitrogen, potential nitrification rate (PNR), and ammonia (NH₃) volatilization in a 120-day incubation experiment with three different pH values of black soil. Treatments included no fertilizer (Control), ammonium sulfate (AS), AS+CP (CP), AS+CP+DMPP (CP+DMPP), and AS+CP+DCD (CP+DCD). The application of NIs significantly decreased NO₃⁻-N contents and potential nitrification rate (p < 0.05), while significantly increased NH₄⁺-N contents (p < 0.05), especially CP+DCD and CP+DMPP were the most effective in the neutral and alkaline soils, respectively. In the acid soil, CP significantly increased total NH₃ volatilization by 31%, while CP+DCD significantly reduced by 28% compared with AS. However, no significant difference was found in NH₃ volatilization with and without NIs treatments (p > 0.05) in the neutral and alkaline soils. In conclusion, the combined nitrification inhibitors had the better efficiency in all three tested soils. CP+DCD and CP+DMPP are the most effective in inhibiting soil nitrification in the clay soils with higher pH value and lower organic matter, while CP+DCD had the potential in mitigating environment pollution by reducing N loss of NH₃ volatilization in the loam soil with lower pH value and higher organic matter. It provided a theoretical basis for the application of high efficiency fertilizer in different soils. Further studies under field conditions are required to assess the effects of these nitrification inhibitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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21 pages, 1350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potato Yield, Net Revenue and Specific Gravity Responses to Nitrogen Fertilizer under Different Canadian Agroecozones

by Judith Nyiraneza, Athyna N. Cambouris, Alison Nelson, Mohammad Khakbazan, Morteza Mesbah, Isabelle Perron, Noura Ziadi and Jean Lafond

Agronomy 2021, 11(7), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11071392 - 10 Jul 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2769

Abstract

Applying higher nitrogen (N) rates than required for optimum potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growth leads to economic and environmental losses. The extent to which the N rate associated with maximum potato yields differs from that maximizing net revenue (NR) or potato specific gravity is not fully understood. The objectives of this three-year study (2013–2015) conducted at five sites in three Canadian provinces (MB-1; MB-2; QC-1; QC-2; PEI) (15 site-years) were to: (i) assess potato marketable yield, NR, and specific gravity responses to increasing N application; (ii) calculate the N rate maximizing marketable (N_max) yield and NR using different statistical models. The year, N fertilizer, and their interaction were significant on marketable yield and NR except at the MB-1 site where no significant effect of N was observed. No significant yield increases were observed at a N rate above 60 kg N ha⁻¹ at four site-years and above 120 kg N ha⁻¹ at five site-years, implying that the current recommended N rate could be reduced. All models fitted the marketable and NR data equally based on R², mean bias error or root mean square error and resulted in comparable predicted yield and NR values. However, N_max values were different depending on the model with higher values being predicted by the quadratic- (161.4 to 191.9 kg N ha⁻¹) and the quadratic plateau models (60 to 191.9 kg N ha⁻¹), while lower N_max values were obtained with linear plateau- (60.6 to 129.8 kg N ha⁻¹) and Mitscherlich–Baule plateau models (60.9 to 130. 9 kg N ha⁻¹). Nitrogen rate maximizing NR was on average 4% lower than the N rate maximizing marketable yields, except at one site where it was higher by 26 kg N ha⁻¹ when the quadratic plus plateau model was used. Specific gravity tended to decrease with the N rate. Our study confirms trade-offs between the N rate maximizing yields or NR with that maximizing specific gravity. Nitrogen rate maximizing marketable yield and NR varies depending on the selected model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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16 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Soil Nitrogen Availability and Rice Growth by Using Urea Fertilizer Amended with Rice Straw Biochar

by Gunavathy Selvarajh and Huck Ywih Ch’ng

Agronomy 2021, 11(7), 1352; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11071352 - 1 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2925

Abstract

Urea fertilizer as a nitrogen source is used widely and globally. However, N loss through ammonia volatilization from applied urea has become a major drawback to agriculture. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of rice straw biochar on (1) total N, soil exchangeable NH₄⁺, and available NO₃⁻ (2) uptake of N, P, and K in rice plants. The treatments evaluated were: (S: Soil only, U: soil + 175 kg ha⁻¹ urea, B1: soil + 175 kg ha⁻¹ urea + 5 t ha⁻¹ rice straw biochar, B2: soil + 175 kg ha⁻¹ urea + 10 t ha⁻¹ rice straw biochar, CB1: 50% soil + 50% commercial biochar potting media and CB2: 100% commercial biochar potting media). The addition of rice straw biochar at 5–10 t ha⁻¹ in the pot experiment significantly increased the soil total N availability by 33.33–46.67%. Treatments B1 and B2 also had significantly increased exchangeable NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, P, and K in the soil over U. The soil availability nutrients increment in soil was attributed to the higher adsorption capacity of the rice straw biochar. Increment in soil nutrient availability such as N, P, and K increased the plant height, tiller number, greenness, and panicle number because of effective rice plant absorption. This resulted in dry matter production increment in line with plant nutrient uptake and use efficiency. Rice straw biochar at 5–10 t ha⁻¹ can improve the productivity of rice plants by increasing N retention in soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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15 pages, 1853 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Is Involved in the Tolerance of Soybean Seedlings to Low Nitrogen Stress

by Jie Jin, Xiaomin Wang, Jianfeng Wang, Keke Li, Shengwang Wang, Wenya Zhang, Guohong Zhang and Yurong Bi

Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040637 - 26 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2329

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) deficiency affects plant growth and crop yield. In this study, we investigated the role of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) in response to N availability in three soybean cultivars, JINDOU 19 (JD19), LONGHUANG 3 (LH3), and LONGDOU 2 (LD2), that have different tolerances to low-N stress. The results showed that the leaf area and primary root length of JD19 and LH3 were greater than that of LD2 under low-N stress, suggesting that the growth of JD19 and LH3 were impaired less than LD2, and thus are more tolerant to low-N stress than LD2 is. Interestingly, the G6PDH expression showed different degrees of change in these soybean cultivars under low-N conditions, and the G6PDH activity in JD19 and LH3 was higher than that in LD2. When G6PDH was inhibited by glucosamine (GlcN), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ were dramatically increased under low-N stress. Meanwhile, the activities of N metabolism-related enzymes were inhibited. These results indicate that G6PDH is involved in the tolerance of soybean cultivars to low-N stress through affecting the N metabolism. Furthermore, under low-N conditions, the contents of NADP⁺ and reduced glutathione (GSH) in JD19 and LH3 were increased more than that in LD2. In contrast, the activity of the plasma membrane (PM), NADPH oxidase, and the NADPH content in JD19 and LH3 were lower than that in LD2. In conclusion, G6PDH reduces the accumulation of ROS in plant cells by modulating NADPH/NADP⁺ and GSH levels to maintain the growth of soybeans under low-N conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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17 pages, 952 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Higher Biochar Rate Can Be Efficient in Reducing Nitrogen Mineralization and Nitrification in the Excessive Compost-Fertilized Soils

by Chen-Chi Tsai and Yu-Fang Chang

Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040617 - 24 Mar 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2845

Abstract

The effects of a high biochar rate on soil carbon mineralization, when co-applied with excessive compost, have been reported in previous studies, but there is a dearth of studies focusing on soil nitrogen. In order to ascertain the positive or snegative effects of a higher biochar rate on excessive compost, compost (5 wt. %) and three slow pyrolysis (>700 °C) biochars (formosan ash (Fraxinus formosana Hayata), ash biochar; makino bamboo (Phyllostachys makino Hayata), bamboo biochar; and lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de. Wit), lead tree biochar) were applied (0, 2 and 5 wt. %) to three soils (one Oxisols and two Inceptisols). Destructive sampling occurred at 1, 3, 7, 28, 56, 84, 140, 196, 294, and 400 days to monitor for changes in soil chemistry. The overall results showed that, compared to the other rates, the 5% biochar application rate significantly reduced the concentrations of inorganic N (

{NO}_{3}^{-} - N

{NH}_{4}^{+} - N

) in the following, decreasing order: lead tree biochar > bamboo biochar > ash biochar. The soil response in terms of ammonium and nitrate followed a similar declining trend in the three soils throughout the incubation periods, with this effect increasing in tandem with the biochar application rate. Over time, the soil

{NO}_{3}^{-} - N

increased, probably due to the excessive compost N mineralization; however, the levels of soil

{NO}_{3}^{-} - N

in the sample undergoing the 5% biochar application rate remained the lowest, to a significant degree. The soils’ original properties determined the degree of ammonium and nitrate reduction after biochar addition. To reduce soil

{NO}_{3}^{-} - N

pollution and increase the efficiency of compost fertilizer use, a high rate of biochar application (especially with that pyrolyzed at high temperatures (>700 °C)) to excessively compost-fertilized soils is highly recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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13 pages, 1109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nitrogen Fate and Efficiency of Fertilizer Application under a Rapeseed–Wheat–Rice Rotation System in Southwest China

by Peng Ma, Yan Lan, Tengfei Lyu, Feijie Li, Zhiyuan Yang, Yongjian Sun and Jun Ma

Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020258 - 30 Jan 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2938

Abstract

To evaluate the efficient use of nitrogen (N) for rice in a rapeseed–wheat–rice rotation system, a pot experiment was conducted. The results indicated that in the conventional ¹⁵N-labeled (Nc) and reduced ¹⁵N-labeled (Nr) urea applications, absorbed N and soil residual N was higher in rapeseed than in wheat. In the rice season, the higher accumulation of ¹⁵N was achieved with an Nr application rate during the rapeseed season and an N fertilizer management model (40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilizer, and 20% as panicle fertilizer) during the rice season (PrNrM3). A high ¹⁵N accumulation was also achieved under the Nc application rate during the wheat season and the N fertilizer management model during the rice season (PwNcM3). The accumulation of ¹⁵N in PrNrM3 and PwNcM3 accounted for 21.35% and 36.72% of the residual N under the Nr application rate in the rapeseed season and the Nc application rate in the wheat season, respectively. Compared with the Nc application rate in the rapeseed season and M3 N management in the rice season (PrNcM3), the N agronomy efficiency (NAE) and the N partial factor efficiency (NPFP) of rice were increased by 23.85% and 1.59%, respectively, in PrNrM3. The annual crop yield was 3.95% lower in PrNrM3, which was not significant. PrNrM3 was a stable yield, N-saving application rate for rapeseed-rice rotation systems in southern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Sustainable Agriculture)

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