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Lucas M, Diaz-Espejo A, Romero-Jimenez D, Peinado-Torrubia P, Delgado-Vaquero A, Álvarez R, Colmenero-Flores JM, Rosales MA. Chloride reduces plant nitrate requirement and alleviates low nitrogen stress symptoms. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 212:108717. [PMID: 38761542 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Chloride (Cl-) is traditionally categorized as an antagonist of nitrate (NO3-) because Cl- hinders plant NO3- transport and accumulation. However, we have recently defined Cl- as a beneficial macronutrient for higher plants, due to specific functions that lead to more efficient use of water, nitrogen (N) and CO2 under optimal N and water supply. When accumulated in leaves at macronutrient levels, Cl- promotes growth through osmotic, physiological, metabolic, anatomical and cellular changes that improve plant performance under optimal NO3- nutrition. Nitrate over-fertilization in agriculture can adversely affect crop yield and nature, while its deficiency limits plant growth. To study the relationship between Cl- nutrition and NO3- availability, we have characterized different physiological responses such as growth and yield, N-use efficiency, water status, photosynthesis, leaf anatomy, pigments and antioxidants in tomato plants treated with or without 5 mM Cl- salts and increasing NO3- treatments (3-15 mM). First, we have demonstrated that 5 mM Cl- application can reduce the use of NO3- in the nutrient solution by up to half without detriment to plant growth and yield in tomato and other horticultural plants. Second, Cl- application reduced stress symptoms and improved plant growth under low-NO3- conditions. The Cl--dependent resistance to low-N stress resulted from: more efficient use of the available NO3-; improved plant osmotic and water status regulation; improved stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate; and better antioxidant response. We proposed that beneficial Cl- levels increase the crop ability to grow better with lower NO3- requirements and withstand N deficiency, promoting a more sustainable and resilient agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lucas
- Group of Plant Ion and Water Regulation, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41012, Seville, Spain; Laboratory of Plant Molecular Ecophysiology, IRNAS, CSIC, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Diaz-Espejo
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Ecophysiology, IRNAS, CSIC, 41012, Seville, Spain; Irrigation and Crop Ecophysiology Group, IRNAS, CSIC, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - David Romero-Jimenez
- Group of Plant Ion and Water Regulation, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41012, Seville, Spain; Laboratory of Plant Molecular Ecophysiology, IRNAS, CSIC, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Procopio Peinado-Torrubia
- Group of Plant Ion and Water Regulation, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Alba Delgado-Vaquero
- Group of Plant Ion and Water Regulation, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41012, Seville, Spain; Laboratory of Plant Molecular Ecophysiology, IRNAS, CSIC, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Rosario Álvarez
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41080, Sevilla, Spain
| | - José M Colmenero-Flores
- Group of Plant Ion and Water Regulation, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41012, Seville, Spain; Laboratory of Plant Molecular Ecophysiology, IRNAS, CSIC, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel A Rosales
- Group of Plant Ion and Water Regulation, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41012, Seville, Spain; Laboratory of Plant Molecular Ecophysiology, IRNAS, CSIC, 41012, Seville, Spain; Department of Stress, Development and Signaling in Plants, Estación Experimental Del Zaidín (EEZ), CSIC, 18008, Granada, Spain.
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2
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Wang R, Dijkstra FA, Han X, Jiang Y. Root nitrogen reallocation: what makes it matter? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024:S1360-1385(24)00114-6. [PMID: 38825557 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Root nitrogen (N) reallocation involves remobilization of root N-storage pools to support shoot growth. Representing a critical yet underexplored facet of plant function, we developed innovative frameworks to elucidate its connections with key ecosystem components. First, root N reallocation increases with plant species richness and N-acquisition strategies, driven by competitive stimulation of plant N demand and synergies in N uptake. Second, competitive root traits and mycorrhizal symbioses, which enhance N foraging and uptake, exhibit trade-offs with root N reallocation. Furthermore, root N reallocation is attenuated by N-supply attributes such as increasing litter quality, soil fungi-to-bacteria ratios, and microbial recruitment in the hyphosphere/rhizosphere. These frameworks provide new insights and research avenues for understanding the ecological roles of root N reallocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruzhen Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Erguna Forest-Steppe Ecotone Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Feike A Dijkstra
- Sydney Institute of Agriculture, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - Xingguo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Erguna Forest-Steppe Ecotone Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China.
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3
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Li G, Zhang L, Wu J, Wang Z, Wang M, Kronzucker HJ, Shi W. Plant iron status regulates ammonium-use efficiency through protein N-glycosylation. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 195:1712-1727. [PMID: 38401163 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Improving nitrogen-use efficiency is an important path toward enhancing crop yield and alleviating the environmental impacts of fertilizer use. Ammonium (NH4+) is the energetically preferred inorganic N source for plants. The interaction of NH4+ with other nutrients is a chief determinant of ammonium-use efficiency (AUE) and of the tipping point toward ammonium toxicity, but these interactions have remained ill-defined. Here, we report that iron (Fe) accumulation is a critical factor determining AUE and have identified a substance that can enhance AUE by manipulating Fe availability. Fe accumulation under NH4+ nutrition induces NH4+ efflux in the root system, reducing both growth and AUE in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Low external availability of Fe and a low plant Fe status substantially enhance protein N-glycosylation through a Vitamin C1-independent pathway, thereby reducing NH4+ efflux to increase AUE during the vegetative stage in Arabidopsis under elevated NH4+ supply. We confirm the validity of the iron-ammonium interaction in the important crop species lettuce (Lactuca sativa). We further show that dolomite can act as an effective substrate to subdue Fe accumulation under NH4+ nutrition by reducing the expression of Low Phosphate Root 2 and acidification of the rhizosphere. Our findings present a strategy to improve AUE and reveal the underlying molecular-physiological mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Jinlin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhaoyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Herbert J Kronzucker
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Weiming Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
- International Research Centre for Environmental Membrane Biology, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
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Chen H, Liu F, Chen J, Ji K, Cui Y, Ge W, Wang Z. Identification, molecular evolution, codon bias, and expansion analysis of NLP transcription factor family in foxtail millet ( Setaria italica L.) and closely related crops. Front Genet 2024; 15:1395224. [PMID: 38836039 PMCID: PMC11148446 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1395224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The NODULE-INCEPTION-like protein (NLP) family is a plant-specific transcription factor (TF) family involved in nitrate transport and assimilation in plants, which are essential for improving plant nitrogen use efficiency. Currently, the molecular nature and evolutionary trajectory of NLP genes in the C4 model crop foxtail millet are unknown. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive analysis of NLP and molecular evolution in foxtail millet by scanning the genomes of foxtail millet and representative species of the plant kingdom. We identified seven NLP genes in the foxtail millet genome, all of which are individually and separately distributed on different chromosomes. They were not structurally identical to each other and were mainly expressed on root tissues. We unearthed two key genes (Si5G004100.1 and Si6G248300.1) with a variety of excellent characteristics. Regarding its molecular evolution, we found that NLP genes in Gramineae mainly underwent dispersed duplication, but maize NLP genes were mainly generated via WGD events. Other factors such as base mutations and natural selection have combined to promote the evolution of NLP genes. Intriguingly, the family in plants showed a gradual expansion during evolution with more duplications than losses, contrary to most gene families. In conclusion, this study advances the use of NLP genetic resources and the understanding of molecular evolution in cereals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilong Chen
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Jing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Kexin Ji
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Yutong Cui
- College of Management, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Weina Ge
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
| | - Zhenyi Wang
- College of Life Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, China
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5
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Wang H, Wang W, Xie Z, Yang Y, Dai H, Shi F, Ma L, Sui Z, Xia C, Kong X, Zhang L. Overexpression of rice OsNRT1.1A/OsNPF6.3 enhanced the nitrogen use efficiency of wheat under low nitrogen conditions. PLANTA 2024; 259:127. [PMID: 38637411 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04408-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Overexpression of OsNRT1.1A promotes early heading and increases the tolerance in wheat under nitrogen deficiency conditions. The application of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizers is a major driving force for crop yield improvement. However, the overuse of fertilizers significantly raises production costs and leads to environmental problems, making it critical to enhance crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for the sake of sustainable agriculture. In this study, we created a series of transgenic wheat lines carrying the rice OsNRT1.1A gene, which encodes a nitrate transporter, to investigate its possible application in improving NUE in wheat. The transgenic wheat exhibited traits such as early maturation that were highly consistent with the overexpression of OsNRT1.1A in Arabidopsis and rice. However, we also observed that overexpression of the OsNRT1.1A gene in wheat can facilitate the growth of roots under low N conditions but has no effect on other aspects of growth and development under normal N conditions. Thus, it may lead to the improvement of wheat low N tolerance,which is different from the effects reported in other plants. A field trial analysis showed that transgenic wheat exhibited increased grain yield per plant under low N conditions. Moreover, transcriptome analysis indicated that OsNRT1.1A increased the expression levels of N uptake and utilization genes in wheat, thereby promoting plant growth under low N conditions. Taken together, our results indicated that OsNRT1.1A plays an important role in improving NUE in wheat with low N availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhencheng Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuxin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Hongyong Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Feng Shi
- Laboratory of Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Liang Ma
- Laboratory of Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Zhifeng Sui
- Laboratory of Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Chuan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiuying Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lichao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
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6
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Liang Y, Wang J, Wang Z, Hu D, Jiang Y, Han Y, Wang Y. Fulvic acid alleviates the stress of low nitrogen on maize by promoting root development and nitrogen metabolism. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2024; 176:e14249. [PMID: 38472657 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The potential of fulvic acid (FA) to improve plant growth has been acknowledged, but its effect on plant growth and nutrient uptake under nutrient stress remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of different FA application rates on maize growth and nitrogen utilization under low nitrogen stress. The results showed that under low nitrogen stress, FA significantly stimulated maize growth, particularly root development, biomass, and nitrogen content. The enhanced activity levels of key enzymes in nitrogen metabolism were observed, along with differential gene expression in maize, which enriched nitrogen metabolism, amino acid metabolism and plant hormone metabolism. The application of FA regulated the hormones' level, reduced abscisic acid content in leaves and Me-JA content in roots, and increased auxin and zeatin ribose content in leaves. This study concludes that, by promoting root development, nitrogen metabolism, and hormone metabolism, an appropriate concentration of FA can enhance plant tolerance to low nitrogen conditions and improve nitrogen use efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Liang
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junbo Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zeping Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Desheng Hu
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanlai Han
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
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7
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Li Q, Song HL, Zhou T, Pei MN, Wang B, Yan SX, Liu YQ, Wu PJ, Hua YP. Differential Morpho-Physiological, Ionomic, and Phytohormone Profiles, and Genome-Wide Expression Profiling Involving the Tolerance of Allohexaploid Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) to Nitrogen Limitation. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:3814-3831. [PMID: 38329036 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a global staple food, while nitrogen (N) limitation severely hinders plant growth, seed yield, and grain quality of wheat. Genetic variations in the responses to low N stresses among allohexaploid wheat (AABBDD, 2n = 6x = 42) genotypes emphasize the complicated regulatory mechanisms underlying low N tolerance and N use efficiency (NUE). In this study, hydroponic culture, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, noninvasive microtest, high-performance liquid chromatography, RNA-seq, and bioinformatics were used to determine the differential growth performance, ionome and phytohormone profiles, and genome-wide expression profiling of wheat plants grown under high N and low N conditions. Transcriptional profiling of NPFs, NRT2s, CLCs, SLACs/SLAHs, AAPs, UPSs, NIAs, and GSs characterized the core members, such as TaNPF6.3-6D, TaNRT2.3-3D, TaNIA1-6B, TaGLN1;2-4B, TaAAP14-5A/5D, and TaUPS2-5A, involved in the efficient transport and assimilation of nitrate and organic N nutrients. The low-N-sensitivity wheat cultivar XM26 showed obvious leaf chlorosis and accumulated higher levels of ABA, JA, and SA than the low-N-tolerant ZM578 under N limitation. The TaMYB59-3D-TaNPF7.3/NRT1.5-6D module-mediated shoot-to-root translocation and leaf remobilization of nitrate was proposed as an important pathway regulating the differential responses between ZM578 and XM26 to low N. This study provides some elite candidate genes for the selection and breeding of wheat germplasms with low N tolerance and high NUE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Li
- Department of Brewing Engineering, Moutai Institute, Renhuai 564507, Guizhou, China
| | - Hai-Li Song
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Min-Nan Pei
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Brewing Engineering, Moutai Institute, Renhuai 564507, Guizhou, China
| | - Song-Xian Yan
- Department of Resources and Environment, Moutai Institute, Renhuai 564507, Guizhou, China
| | - Yun-Qi Liu
- Zhongguancun Xuyue Non-invasive Micro-test Technology Industrial Alliance, Beijing 10080, China
| | - Peng-Jia Wu
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ying-Peng Hua
- School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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8
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Yang Z, Guo Z, Gong C, Xia J, Hu Y, Zhong J, Yang X, Xie W, Wang S, Wu Q, Ye W, Liu B, Zhou X, Turlings TCJ, Zhang Y. Two horizontally acquired bacterial genes steer the exceptionally efficient and flexible nitrogenous waste cycling in whiteflies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi3105. [PMID: 38306427 PMCID: PMC10836729 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi3105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential element for all life on earth. Nitrogen metabolism, including excretion, is essential for growth, development, and survival of plants and animals alike. Several nitrogen metabolic processes have been described, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here, we reveal a unique process of nitrogen metabolism in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, a global pest. We show that it has acquired two bacterial uricolytic enzyme genes, B. tabaci urea carboxylase (BtUCA) and B. tabaci allophanate hydrolase (BtAtzF), through horizontal gene transfer. These genes operate in conjunction to not only coordinate an efficient way of metabolizing nitrogenous waste but also control B. tabaci's exceptionally flexible nitrogen recycling capacity. Its efficient nitrogen processing explains how this important pest can feed on a vast spectrum of plants. This finding provides insight into how the hijacking of microbial genes has allowed whiteflies to develop a highly economic and stable nitrogen metabolism network and offers clues for pest management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zezhong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300381, China
| | - Zhaojiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Cheng Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jixing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jie Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shaoli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Qingjun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenfeng Ye
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Baiming Liu
- Institute of Plant Protection, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin 300381, China
| | - Xuguo Zhou
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091, USA
| | - Ted C J Turlings
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Youjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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9
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Wan Y, Li R, Yao K, Peng C, Wang W, Li N, Wang X. Bioelectro-barriers prevent nitrate leaching into groundwater via nitrogen retention. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120988. [PMID: 38070341 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater, the main freshwater resource for humans, has been widely contaminated with nitrate from fertilizers. Here, we report a new and chemical-free strategy to prevent nitrate leaching from soil based on the enrichment of electroactive bacteria, mainly of the genus Geobacter, with bioelectro-barriers, which leads to a nearly 100 % interception of nitrate and partly conserves reactive nitrogen in the form of weakly mobile ammonium by dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). G. sulfurreducens was recognized to efficiently secrete nitrite reductase (NrfA) for rapid DNRA because it lacks nitrate reductase, which inhibits DNRA by competing with nitrite and producing toxic intracellular nitric oxide. With an increase in G. sulfurreducens abundance, near-zero nitrate leaching and 3-fold greater N retention was achieved. Periodic application of weak electricity to the bioelectro-barrier ensured the dominance of G. sulfurreducens in the microbial community and therefore its ability to consistently prevent nitrate leaching. The ability of G. sulfurreducens to intercept nitrate was further demonstrated in more diverse agricultural soils, providing a novel way to prevent nitrate leaching and conserve bioavailable nitrogen in the soil, which has broader implications for both sustainable agriculture and groundwater protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Wan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China; School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, No. 230 West Waihuan Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ruixiang Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Kexin Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Chenchen Peng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Nan Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
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10
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Santander C, González F, Pérez U, Ruiz A, Aroca R, Santos C, Cornejo P, Vidal G. Enhancing Water Status and Nutrient Uptake in Drought-Stressed Lettuce Plants ( Lactuca sativa L.) via Inoculation with Different Bacillus spp. Isolated from the Atacama Desert. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:158. [PMID: 38256712 PMCID: PMC10818642 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Drought is a major challenge for agriculture worldwide, being one of the main causes of losses in plant production. Various studies reported that some soil's bacteria can improve plant tolerance to environmental stresses by the enhancement of water and nutrient uptake by plants. The Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on earth, harbors a largely unexplored microbial richness. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of various Bacillus sp. from the hyper arid Atacama Desert in the improvement in tolerance to drought stress in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata, cv. "Super Milanesa") plants. Seven strains of Bacillus spp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of the Chilean endemic plants Metharme lanata and Nolana jaffuelii, and then identified using the 16s rRNA gene. Indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity were assessed. Lettuce plants were inoculated with Bacillus spp. strains and subjected to two different irrigation conditions (95% and 45% of field capacity) and their biomass, net photosynthesis, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, oxidative damage, proline production, and phenolic compounds were evaluated. The results indicated that plants inoculated with B. atrophaeus, B. ginsengihumi, and B. tequilensis demonstrated the highest growth under drought conditions compared to non-inoculated plants. Treatments increased biomass production and were strongly associated with enhanced N-uptake, water status, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic activity. Our results show that specific Bacillus species from the Atacama Desert enhance drought stress tolerance in lettuce plants by promoting several beneficial plant traits that facilitate water absorption and nutrient uptake, which support the use of this unexplored and unexploited natural resource as potent bioinoculants to improve plant production under increasing drought conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Santander
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (C.S.); (F.G.); (U.P.); (A.R.); (C.S.)
- Grupo de Ingeniería Ambiental y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Centro EULA-Chile, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070411, Chile
| | - Felipe González
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (C.S.); (F.G.); (U.P.); (A.R.); (C.S.)
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Urley Pérez
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (C.S.); (F.G.); (U.P.); (A.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Antonieta Ruiz
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (C.S.); (F.G.); (U.P.); (A.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Ricardo Aroca
- Departamento de Microbiología del Suelo y la Planta, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Profesor Albareda 1, 18008 Granada, Spain;
| | - Cledir Santos
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile; (C.S.); (F.G.); (U.P.); (A.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Pablo Cornejo
- Escuela de Agronomía, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas y de los Alimentos, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota 2260000, Chile
- Centro Regional de Investigación e Innovación para la Sostenibilidad de la Agricultura y los Territorios Rurales, CERES, La Palma, Quillota 2260000, Chile
| | - Gladys Vidal
- Grupo de Ingeniería Ambiental y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Centro EULA-Chile, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4070411, Chile
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11
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Li G, Chang X, Dong Y, Wang M, Yang J, Hu G, Shumei J. Cloning and expression study of a high-affinity nitrate transporter gene from Zea mays L. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2023; 18:2163342. [PMID: 36645908 PMCID: PMC9851203 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2022.2163342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A nitrate transporter gene, named B46NRT2.1, from salt-tolerant Zea mays L. B46 has been cloned. B46NRT2.1 contained the same domain belonging to the major facilitator superfamily (PLN00028). The results of the phylogenetic tree indicated that B46NRT2.1 exhibits sequence similarity and the closest relationship with those known nitrate transporters of the NRT2 family. Through RT-qPCR, we found that the expression of B46NRT2.1 mainly happens in the root and leaf. Moreover, the treatment with NaCl, Na2CO3, and NaHCO3 could significantly increase the expression of B46NRT2.1. B46NRT2.1 was located in the plasma membrane. Through the study of yeast and plant salt response brought by B46NRT2.1 overexpression, we have preliminary knowledge that the expression of B46NRT2.1 makes yeast and plants respond to salt shock. There are 10 different kinds of cis-acting regulatory elements (CRES) in the promotor sequences of B46NRT2.1 gene using the PlantCARE web server to analyze. It mainly includes hormone response, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, gibberellin, methyl jasmonate, and auxin. The B46NRT2.1 gene's co-expression network showed that it was co-expressed with a number of other genes in several biological pathways, including regulation of NO3 long-distance transit, modulation of nitrate sensing and metabolism, nitrate assimilation, and transduction of Jasmonic acid-independent wound signal. The results of this work should serve as a good scientific foundation for further research on the functions of the NRT2 gene family in plants (inbred line B46), and this research adds to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms under salt tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Li
- Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xu Chang
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Mingquan Wang
- Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jianfei Yang
- Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Guanghui Hu
- Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jin Shumei
- Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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12
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Zhou M, Zhang Y, Yang J. Analysis of Nitrogen Dynamics and Transcriptomic Activity Revealed a Pivotal Role of Some Amino Acid Transporters in Nitrogen Remobilization in Poplar Senescing Leaves. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:4140. [PMID: 38140467 PMCID: PMC10747403 DOI: 10.3390/plants12244140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Leaf senescence is an important developmental process for deciduous trees during which part of leaf nitrogen is remobilized to branches, thus being beneficial for nitrogen conservation. However, the associated regulatory mechanism remains largely unknown in deciduous trees. In this study, nitrogen dynamics and transcriptomic activity in senescing leaves were measured during autumnal senescence in hybrid poplar. Both concentrations of leaf total nitrogen (N) and amine compounds were found to decline from the pre-senescence (PRE) to the middle-senescence (MS) stage. Although the total N concentration decreased further from MS to the late-senescence (LS) and leveled off to abscission (ABS) stage, amine compound concentration increased continuously from MS to ABS, suggesting that translocation of amine compounds underperformed production of amine compounds in leaves during this period. L-glutamate, L-glutamine and α-aminoadipic acid were the top three amine compounds accumulated in senescent leaves. RNA-Seq profiling identified thousands of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with functional association with a metabolic transition towards disassimilation. Many genes encoding amino acid metabolism enzymes and amino acid transporters (AATs) were up-regulated. Comparison of expression trend with leaf N dynamics and phylogenetic analysis identified several PtAATs which exhibited down-regulation from MS to LS stage and putatively limited leaf N remobilization. This study can serve as a primary basis to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of nitrogen remobilization in poplar senescing leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jiading Yang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; (M.Z.); (Y.Z.)
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13
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Cheng P, Wang Y, Cai C, Li L, Zeng Y, Cheng X, Shen W. Molecular hydrogen positively regulates nitrate uptake and seed size by targeting nitrate reductase. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 193:2734-2749. [PMID: 37625793 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Although the sources of molecular hydrogen (H2) synthesis in plants remain to be fully elucidated, ample evidence shows that plant-based H2 can regulate development and stress responses. Here, we present genetic and molecular evidence indicating that nitrate reductase (NR) might be a target of H2 sensing that positively regulates nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and seed size in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The expression level of NR and changes of NUE under control and, in particular, low nitrogen supply were positively associated with H2 addition supplied exogenously or through genetic manipulation. The improvement in nitrate assimilation achieved by H2 was also mediated via NR dephosphorylation. H2 control of seed size was impaired by NR mutation. Further genetic evidence revealed that H2, NR, and nitric oxide can synergistically regulate nitrate assimilation in response to N starvation conditions. Collectively, our data indicate that NR might be a target for H2 sensing, ultimately positively regulating nitrate uptake and seed size. These results provide insights into H2 signaling and its functions in plant metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yueqiao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chenxu Cai
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Longna Li
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- Life Science Group, Air Liquide (China) R&D Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Xu Cheng
- Life Science Group, Air Liquide (China) R&D Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Wenbiao Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Laboratory Center of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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14
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Li J, Zenda T, Liu S, Dong A, Wang Y, Liu X, Wang N, Duan H. Integrated Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of Low-Nitrogen-Stress Tolerance and Function Analysis of ZmGST42 Gene in Maize. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1831. [PMID: 37891910 PMCID: PMC10603844 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major staple crops providing human food, animal feed, and raw material support for biofuel production. For its growth and development, maize requires essential macronutrients. In particular, nitrogen (N) plays an important role in determining the final yield and quality of a maize crop. However, the excessive application of N fertilizer is causing serious pollution of land area and water bodies. Therefore, cultivating high-yield and low-N-tolerant maize varieties is crucial for minimizing the nitrate pollution of land and water bodies. Here, based on the analysis of the maize leaf transcriptome and proteome at the grain filling stage, we identified 3957 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 329 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) from the two maize hybrids contrasting in N stress tolerance (low-N-tolerant XY335 and low-N-sensitive HN138) and screened four sets of low-N-responsive genes and proteins through Venn diagram analysis. We identified 761 DEGs (253 up- and 508 down-regulated) specific to XY335, whereas 259 DEGs (198 up- and 61 down-regulated) were specific to HN138, and 59 DEGs (41 up- and 18 down-regulated) were shared between the two cultivars under low-N-stress conditions. Meanwhile, among the low-N-responsive DAPs, thirty were unique to XY335, thirty were specific to HN138, and three DAPs were shared between the two cultivars under low-N treatment. Key among those genes/proteins were leucine-rich repeat protein, DEAD-box ATP-dependent RNA helicase family proteins, copper transport protein, and photosynthesis-related proteins. These genes/proteins were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, regulating membrane lipid peroxidation, and photosynthesis. Our results may suggest that XY335 better tolerates low-N stress than HN138, possibly through robust low-N-stress sensing and signaling, amplified protein phosphorylation and stress response, and increased photosynthesis efficiency, as well as the down-regulation of 'lavish' or redundant proteins to minimize N demand. Additionally, we screened glutathione transferase 42 (ZmGST42) and performed physiological and biochemical characterizations of the wild-type (B73) and gst42 mutant at the seedling stage. Resultantly, the wild-type exhibited stronger tolerance to low N than the mutant line. Our findings provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying low-N tolerance during the maize grain filling stage and reveal key candidate genes for low-N-tolerance breeding in maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; (J.L.); (T.Z.); (A.D.); (Y.W.); (X.L.)
- North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of the Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Tinashe Zenda
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; (J.L.); (T.Z.); (A.D.); (Y.W.); (X.L.)
- North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of the Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Songtao Liu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Analysis-Testing for Agro-Products and Food, Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China;
| | - Anyi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; (J.L.); (T.Z.); (A.D.); (Y.W.); (X.L.)
- North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of the Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Yafei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; (J.L.); (T.Z.); (A.D.); (Y.W.); (X.L.)
- North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of the Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Xinyue Liu
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; (J.L.); (T.Z.); (A.D.); (Y.W.); (X.L.)
- North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of the Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; (J.L.); (T.Z.); (A.D.); (Y.W.); (X.L.)
- North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of the Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
| | - Huijun Duan
- State Key Laboratory of North China Crop Improvement and Regulation, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China; (J.L.); (T.Z.); (A.D.); (Y.W.); (X.L.)
- North China Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources of the Education Ministry, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
- Department of Crop Genetics and Breeding, College of Agronomy, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
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15
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Chen P, Li L, Xia S, Zhang R, Zhang R, Zeng XM, Shuai D, Liu Y, Li ZG. Enhancement patterns of potassium on nitrogen transport and functional genes in cotton vary with nitrogen levels. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 335:111824. [PMID: 37572966 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The application of potassium (K) in conjunction with nitrogen (N) has been shown to enhance N use efficiency. However, there is still a need for further understanding of the optimal ratios and molecular regulatory mechanisms, particularly in soil-cotton systems. Here, a field trial was conducted, involving varying rates of N and K, alongside pot and hydroponic experiments. The objective was to assess the impact of N-K interaction on the absorption, transport and distribution of N in cotton. The results showed that K supply at 90 and 240 kg ha-1 had a beneficial impact on N uptake and distribution to both seed and lint, resulting in the highest N use efficiency ranging from 22% to 62% and yield improvements from 20% to 123%. The increase in stem and root diameters, rather than the quantify of xylem vessels and phloem sieve tubes, facilitated the uptake and transport of N due to the provision of K. At the molecular level, K supply upregulated the expression levels of genes encoding GhNRT2.1 transporter and GhSLAH3 channel in cotton roots to promote N uptake and GhNRT1.5/NPF7.3 genes to transport N to shoot under low-N conditions. However, under high-N conditions, K supply induced anion channel genes (GhSLAH4) of roots to promote N uptake and genes encoding GhNRT1.5/NPF7.3 and GhNRT1.8/NPF7.2 transporters to facilitate NO3- unloading from xylem to mesophyll cell in high-N plants. Furthermore, K supply resulted in the upregulation of gene expression for GhGS2 in leaves, while simultaneously downregulating the expression of GhNADH-GOGAT, GhGDH1 and GhGDH3 genes in high-N roots. The enzyme activities of nitrite reductase and glutamine synthetase increased and glutamate dehydrogenase decreased, but the concentration of NO3- and soluble protein exhibited a significant increase and free amino acid decreased in the shoots subsequent to K supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Linyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Shujie Xia
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Runhua Zhang
- Wuhan Academy of Agriculture Science and Technology, Vegetable Research Institute, Wuhan 430345, China
| | - Runqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiao-Min Zeng
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Du Shuai
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Center of Conservation Biology / Economic Botany / Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Zhi-Guo Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
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16
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Cui R, Feng Y, Yao J, Shi L, Wang S, Xu F. The transcription factor BnaA9.WRKY47 coordinates leaf senescence and nitrogen remobilization in Brassica napus. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:5606-5619. [PMID: 37474125 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plants, and its remobilization is key for adaptation to deficiency stress. However, there is limited understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of N remobilization in the important crop species Brassica napus (oilseed rape). Here, we report the identification of a transcription factor, BnaA9.WRKY47, that is induced by N starvation in a canola variety. At the seedling stage, BnaA9.WRKY47-overexpressing (OE) lines displayed earlier senescence of older leaves and preferential growth of juvenile leaves compared to the wild type under N starvation. At the field scale, the seed yield was significantly increased in the BnaA9.WRKY47-OE lines compared with the wild type when grown under N deficiency conditions and, conversely, it was reduced in BnaA9.WRKY47-knockout mutants. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that BnaA9.WRKY47 directly activates BnaC7.SGR1 to accelerate senescence of older leaves. In line with leaf senescence, the concentration of amino acids in the older leaves of the OE lines was elevated, and the proportion of plant N that they contained was reduced. This was associated with BnaA9.WRKY47 activating the amino acid permease BnaA9.AAP1 and the nitrate transporter BnaA2.NRT1.7. Thus, the expression of BnaA9.WRKY47 efficiently facilitated N remobilization from older to younger leaves or to seeds. Taken together, our results demonstrate that BnaA9.WRKY47 up-regulates the expression of BnaC7.SGR1, BnaA2.NRT1.7, and BnaA9AAP1, thus promoting the remobilization of N in B. napus under starvation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cui
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Wuhan 430070, China
- Microelement Research Centre, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yingna Feng
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Wuhan 430070, China
- Microelement Research Centre, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jinliang Yao
- Microelement Research Centre, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lei Shi
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Wuhan 430070, China
- Microelement Research Centre, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Sheliang Wang
- Microelement Research Centre, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Fangsen Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Wuhan 430070, China
- Microelement Research Centre, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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17
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Zhou M, Yang J. Delaying or promoting? Manipulation of leaf senescence to improve crop yield and quality. PLANTA 2023; 258:48. [PMID: 37477756 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Senescence influences leaf productivity through two aspects: photosynthesis and nutrient remobilization. Through distinctively manipulating progress of leaf senescence, it is promising to improve crop yield and quality simultaneously. Crop yield and quality are two chief goals pursued in agricultural and horticultural production. The basis of crop yield is leaf photosynthesis. Senescence is the last stage of leaf development, which usually causes decreasing of leaf photosynthetic activity. Delaying leaf senescence through physiological or molecular strategies may result in higher photosynthetic activity with a longer duration, thus producing more photoassimilates for biomass accumulation. On the other side, leaf senescence always induces degradation of macromolecular nutrients (including chlorophylls and proteins), and nutritional elements in leaves are then resorbed for development of other organs. For those crops with non-leaf organs as harvested biomass, translocating nutritional elements from leaves to harvested biomass is an indispensable physiological process to increase crop yield and quality. This review summarized successful studies about effects of delaying or promoting senescence on crop yield or quality improvement. Considering the distinctiveness of various crops, manipulation of leaf senescence should be specialized during agricultural and horticultural practices. Rational regulation of leaf senescence, such as inhibiting senescence to maintain leaf photosynthesis and then promoting senescence (with appropriate onset and efficiency) to remobilize more nutrients from leaves to target organs, may ultimately improve both crop yield and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhou
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Jiading Yang
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
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18
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Zhang H, Zhang X, Xiao J. Epigenetic Regulation of Nitrogen Signaling and Adaptation in Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2725. [PMID: 37514337 PMCID: PMC10386408 DOI: 10.3390/plants12142725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient that plays a significant role in enhancing crop yield. Its availability, including both supply and deficiency, serves as a crucial signal for plant development. However, excessive N use in agriculture leads to environmental and economic issues. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is, therefore, essential to minimize negative impacts. Prior studies have investigated the genetic factors involved in N responses and the process of low-nitrogen (LN) adaptation. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding how epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and small RNA, participate in the regulation of N response and LN adaptation. We highlight the importance of decoding the epigenome at various levels to accelerate the functional study of how plants respond to N availability. Understanding the epigenetic control of N signaling and adaptation can lead to new strategies to improve NUE and enhance crop productivity sustainably.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Hebei Collaboration Innovation Center for Cell Signaling, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
- Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), JIC-CAS, Beijing 100101, China
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Pahuja S, Bheri M, Bisht D, Pandey GK. Calcium signalling components underlying NPK homeostasis: potential avenues for exploration. Biochem J 2023; 480:1015-1034. [PMID: 37418287 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Plants require the major macronutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for normal growth and development. Their deficiency in soil directly affects vital cellular processes, particularly root growth and architecture. Their perception, uptake and assimilation are regulated by complex signalling pathways. To overcome nutrient deficiencies, plants have developed certain response mechanisms that determine developmental and physiological adaptations. The signal transduction pathways underlying these responses involve a complex interplay of components such as nutrient transporters, transcription factors and others. In addition to their involvement in cross-talk with intracellular calcium signalling pathways, these components are also engaged in NPK sensing and homeostasis. The NPK sensing and homeostatic mechanisms hold the key to identify and understand the crucial players in nutrient regulatory networks in plants under both abiotic and biotic stresses. In this review, we discuss calcium signalling components/pathways underlying plant responses to NPK sensing, with a focus on the sensors, transporters and transcription factors involved in their respective signalling and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonam Pahuja
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Malathi Bheri
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Diksha Bisht
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Girdhar K Pandey
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
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20
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Gao J, Ge S, Wang H, Fang Y, Sun L, He T, Cheng X, Wang D, Zhou X, Cai H, Li C, Liu Y, E Y, Meng J, Chen W. Biochar-extracted liquor stimulates nitrogen related gene expression on improving nitrogen utilization in rice seedling. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1131937. [PMID: 37404536 PMCID: PMC10317180 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1131937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Biochar has been shown to be an effective soil amendment for promoting plant growth and improving nitrogen (N) utilization. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms behind such stimulation remain unclear. Methods In this study, we investigated whether biochar-extracted liquor including 21 organic molecules enhance the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of rice plants using two N forms (NH4 +-N and NO3 --N). A hydroponic experiment was conducted, and biochar-extracted liquor (between 1 and 3% by weight) was applied to rice seedlings. Results The results showed that biochar-extracted liquor significantly improved phenotypic and physiological traits of rice seedlings. Biochar-extracted liquor dramatically upregulated the expression of rice N metabolism-related genes such as OsAMT1.1, OsGS1.1, and OsGS2. Rice seedlings preferentially absorbed NH4 +-N than NO3 --N (p < 0.05), and the uptake of NH4 +-N by rice seedlings was significantly increased by 33.60% under the treatment of biochar-extracted liquor. The results from molecular docking showed that OsAMT1.1protein can theoretically interact with 2-Acetyl-5-methylfuran, trans-2,4-Dimethylthiane, S, S-dioxide, 2,2-Diethylacetamide, and 1,2-Dimethylaziridine in the biochar-extracted liquor. These four organic compounds have similar biological function as the OsAMT1.1 protein ligand in driving NH4 +-N uptakes by rice plants. Discussion This study highlights the importance of biochar-extracted liquor in promoting plant growth and NUE. The use of low doses of biochar-extracted liquor could be an important way to reduce N input in order to achieve the purpose of reducing fertilizer use and increasing efficiency in agricultural production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Shaohua Ge
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Hailong Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Yunying Fang
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Luming Sun
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianyi He
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyi Cheng
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Di Wang
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuanwei Zhou
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Heqing Cai
- Bijie Tobacco Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, China
| | - Caibin Li
- Bijie Tobacco Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, China
| | - Yanxiang Liu
- Bijie Tobacco Company of Guizhou Province, Bijie, China
| | - Yang E
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Jun Meng
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
| | - Wenfu Chen
- National Biochar Institute of Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochar and Soil Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shenyang, China
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21
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Siddiqui MN, Pandey K, Bhadhury SK, Sadeqi B, Schneider M, Sanchez-Garcia M, Stich B, Schaaf G, Léon J, Ballvora A. Convergently selected NPF2.12 coordinates root growth and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat and barley. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:2175-2193. [PMID: 36808608 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic and molecular function of nitrate sensing and acquisition across crop species will accelerate breeding of cultivars with improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Here, we performed a genome-wide scan using wheat and barley accessions characterized under low and high N inputs that uncovered the NPF2.12 gene, encoding a homolog of the Arabidopsis nitrate transceptor NRT1.6 and other low-affinity nitrate transporters that belong to the MAJOR FACILITATOR SUPERFAMILY. Next, it is shown that variations in the NPF2.12 promoter correlated with altered NPF2.12 transcript levels where decreased gene expression was measured under low nitrate availability. Multiple field trials revealed a significantly enhanced N content in leaves and grains and NUE in the presence of the elite allele TaNPF2.12TT grown under low N conditions. Furthermore, the nitrate reductase encoding gene NIA1 was up-regulated in npf2.12 mutant upon low nitrate concentrations, thereby resulting in elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) production. This increase in NO correlated with the higher root growth, nitrate uptake, and N translocation observed in the mutant when compared to wild-type. The presented data indicate that the elite haplotype alleles of NPF2.12 are convergently selected in wheat and barley that by inactivation indirectly contribute to root growth and NUE by activating NO signaling under low nitrate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nurealam Siddiqui
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)-Plant Breeding, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 5, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Kailash Pandey
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)-Plant Breeding, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 5, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
| | - Suzan Kumer Bhadhury
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)-Plant Breeding, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 5, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
| | - Bahman Sadeqi
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)-Plant Breeding, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 5, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
| | - Michael Schneider
- Institute for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics of Plants, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Miguel Sanchez-Garcia
- Biodiversity and Crop Improvement Program, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, 10101, Morocco
| | - Benjamin Stich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
- Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Gabriel Schaaf
- Department of Plant Nutrition, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
| | - Jens Léon
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)-Plant Breeding, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 5, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
- Field Lab Campus Klein-Altendorf, University of Bonn, Klein-Altendorf 2, Rheinbach, 53359, Germany
| | - Agim Ballvora
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)-Plant Breeding, University of Bonn, Katzenburgweg 5, Bonn, D-53115, Germany
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22
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Ninkuu V, Liu Z, Sun X. Genetic regulation of nitrogen use efficiency in Gossypium spp. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 46:1749-1773. [PMID: 36942358 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the most important fibre crop, with desirable characteristics preferred for textile production. Cotton fibre output relies heavily on nitrate as the most important source of inorganic nitrogen (N). However, nitrogen dynamics in extreme environments limit plant growth and lead to yield loss and pollution. Therefore, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), which involves the utilisation of the 'right rate', 'right source', 'right time', and 'right place' (4Rs), is key for efficient N management. Recent omics techniques have genetically improved NUE in crops. We herein highlight the mechanisms of N uptake and assimilation in the vegetative and reproductive branches of the cotton plant while considering the known and unknown regulatory factors. The phylogenetic relationships among N transporters in four Gossypium spp. have been reviewed. Further, the N regulatory genes that participate in xylem transport and phloem loading are also discussed. In addition, the functions of microRNAs and transcription factors in modulating the expression of target N regulatory genes are highlighted. Overall, this review provides a detailed perspective on the complex N regulatory mechanism in cotton, which would accelerate the research toward improving NUE in crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Ninkuu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhixin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xuwu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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23
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Lin YC, Tsay YF. Study of vacuole glycerate transporter NPF8.4 reveals a new role of photorespiration in C/N balance. NATURE PLANTS 2023; 9:803-816. [PMID: 37055555 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The photorespiratory intermediate glycerate is known to be shuttled between the peroxisome and chloroplast. Here, localization of NPF8.4 in the tonoplast, together with the reduced vacuolar glycerate content displayed by an npf8.4 mutant and the glycerate efflux activity detected in an oocyte expression system, identifies NPF8.4 as a tonoplast glycerate influx transporter. Our study shows that expression of NPF8.4 and most photorespiration-associated genes, as well as the photorespiration rate, is upregulated in response to short-term nitrogen (N) depletion. We report growth retardation and early senescence phenotypes for npf8.4 mutants specifically upon N depletion, suggesting that the NPF8.4-mediated regulatory pathway for sequestering the photorespiratory carbon intermediate glycerate in vacuoles is important to alleviate the impact of an increased C/N ratio under N deficiency. Thus, our study of NPF8.4 reveals a novel role for photorespiration in N flux to cope with short-term N depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chen Lin
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Tsay
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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24
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Chen H, Rosinger C, Blagodatsky S, Reichel R, Li B, Kumar A, Rothardt S, Luo J, Brüggemann N, Kage H, Bonkowski M. Straw amendment and nitrification inhibitor controlling N losses and immobilization in a soil cooling-warming experiment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:162007. [PMID: 36739009 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
It is common practice in agriculture to apply high‑carbon amendments, e.g. straw, or nitrification inhibitors (NI) to reduce soil nitrogen (N) losses. However, little is known on the combined effects of straw and NI and how seasonal soil temperature variations further affect N immobilization. We conducted a 113-day mesocosm experiment with different levels of 15N-fertilizer application (N0: control; N1: 125 kg N ha-1; N2: 250 kg N ha-1) in an agricultural soil, amended with either wheat straw, NI or a combination of both in order to investigate N retention and loss from soil after a cooling-warming phase simulating a seasonal temperature shift, i.e., 30 days cooling phase at 7 °C and 10 days warming phase at 21 °C. Subsequently, soils were planted with barley as phytometers to study 15N-transfer to a following crop. Straw addition significantly reduced soil N-losses due to microbial N immobilization. Although carbon added as straw led to increased N2O emissions at high N fertilization, this was partly counterbalanced by NI. Soil cooling-warming strongly increased ammonification (+77 %), while nitrification was suppressed, and straw-induced microbial N immobilization dominated. N immobilized after straw addition was mineralized at the end of the experiment as indicated by structural equation models. Re-mineralization in N2 was sufficient, but still suboptimal in N0 and N1 at critical times of early barley growth. N-use efficiency of the 15N tracer decreased with fertilization intensity from 50 % in N1 to 35 % in N2, and straw amendment reduced NUE to 25 % at both fertilization rates. Straw amendment was most powerful in reducing N-losses (-41 %), in particular under variable soil temperature conditions, but NI enforced its effects by reducing N2O emission (-40 %) in N2 treatment. Sufficient N-fertilization coupled with straw application is required to adjust the timely re-mineralization of N for subsequent crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- University of Cologne, Institute of Zoology, Department of Biology, Germany
| | - Christoph Rosinger
- Institute of Soil Research, Department of Forest and Soil Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Peter Jordan Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Agronomy, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Konrad Lorenz-Straße 24, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Sergey Blagodatsky
- University of Cologne, Institute of Zoology, Department of Biology, Germany.
| | - Rüdiger Reichel
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio-and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Jülich, Germany
| | - Bo Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, PR China
| | - Amit Kumar
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany; Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, UAE
| | - Steffen Rothardt
- Agronomy and Crop Science, Institute of Crop Science and Plant Breeding, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jie Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nicolas Brüggemann
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Bio-and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Jülich, Germany
| | - Henning Kage
- Agronomy and Crop Science, Institute of Crop Science and Plant Breeding, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael Bonkowski
- University of Cologne, Institute of Zoology, Department of Biology, Germany
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Liu C, Hao D, Sun R, Zhang Y, Peng Y, Yuan Y, Jiang K, Li W, Wen X, Guo H. Arabidopsis NPF2.13 functions as a critical transporter of bacterial natural compound tunicamycin in plant-microbe interaction. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:765-780. [PMID: 36653958 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Metabolites including antibiotics, enzymes, and volatiles produced by plant-associated bacteria are key factors in plant-microbiota interaction that regulates various plant biological processes. There should be crucial mediators responsible for their entry into host plants. However, less is known about the identities of these plant transporters. We report that the Arabidopsis Nitrate Transporter1 (NRT1)/NPF protein NPF2.13 functions in plant uptake of tunicamycin (TM), a natural antibiotic produced by several Streptomyces spp., which inhibits protein N-glycosylation. Loss of NPF2.13 function resulted in enhanced TM tolerance, whereas NPF2.13 overexpression led to TM hypersensitivity. Transport assays confirmed that NPF2.13 is a H+ /TM symporter and the transport is not affected by other substrates like nitrate. NPF2.13 exclusively showed TM transport activity among tested NPFs. Tunicamycin uptake from TM-producing Streptomyces upregulated the expression of nitrate-related genes including NPF2.13. Moreover, nitrate allocation to younger leaves was promoted by TM in host plants. Tunicamycin could also benefit plant defense against the pathogen. Notably, the TM effects were significantly repressed in npf2.13 mutant. Overall, this study identifies NPF2.13 protein as an important TM transporter in plant-microbe interaction and provides insights into multiple facets of NPF proteins in modulating plant nutrition and defense by transporting exterior bacterial metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfa Liu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongdong Hao
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruixue Sun
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Peng
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Yuan
- The Applied Plant Genomics Laboratory, Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Centre and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kai Jiang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- SUSTech Academy for Advanced and Interdisciplinary Studies, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenyang Li
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xing Wen
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongwei Guo
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Plant and Food Science, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Design for Plant Cell Factory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, SUSTech, 518055, Shenzhen, China
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Zhang M, Zhang W, Zheng Z, Zhang Z, Hua B, Liu J, Miao M. Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of NPF Genes in Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1252. [PMID: 36986940 PMCID: PMC10057324 DOI: 10.3390/plants12061252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER family (NPF) proteins perform an essential role in regulating plant nitrate absorption and distribution and in improving plant nitrogen use efficiency. In this study, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) NPF genes were comprehensively analyzed at the whole genome level, and 54 NPF genes were found to be unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes in the cucumber genome. The phylogenetic analysis showed that these genes could be divided into eight subfamilies. We renamed all CsNPF genes according to the international nomenclature, based on their homology with AtNPF genes. By surveying the expression profiles of CsNPF genes in various tissues, we found that CsNPF6.4 was specifically expressed in roots, indicating that CsNPF6.4 may play a role in N absorption; CsNPF6.3 was highly expressed in petioles, which may be related to NO3- storage in petioles; and CsNPF2.8 was highly expressed in fruits, which may promote NO3- transport to the embryos. We further examined their expression patterns under different abiotic stress and nitrogen conditions, and found that CsNPF7.2 and CsNPF7.3 responded to salt, cold, and low nitrogen stress. Taken together, our study lays a foundation for further exploration of the molecular and physiological functions of cucumber nitrate transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Wenyan Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zijian Zheng
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhiping Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Bing Hua
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jiexia Liu
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Minmin Miao
- College of Horticulture and Landscape, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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Tian G, Qin H, Liu C, Xing Y, Feng Z, Xu X, Liu J, Lyu M, Jiang H, Zhu Z, Jiang Y, Ge S. Magnesium improved fruit quality by regulating photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, carbon-nitrogen metabolism, and anthocyanin biosynthesis in 'Red Fuji' apple. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1136179. [PMID: 36909439 PMCID: PMC9995890 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1136179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Both nitrogen (N) and magnesium (Mg) play important roles in biochemical and physiological processes in plants. However, the application of excessive N and insufficient Mg may be the factor leading to low nitrogen utilization rate (NUE) and fruit quality degradation in apple production. METHODS In this study, we analyzed the effects of different application rates of Mg (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 kg/ha) on the photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), the accumulation and distribution of carbon (C), N metabolism, anthocyanin biosynthesis and fruit quality of the 'Red Fuji' apple in 2018 and 2019. RESULTS The results showed that the application of Mg significantly increased the 15NUE and increased the allocation rate of 15N in the leaves whereas the 15N allocation rate in the perennial organs and fruits was decreased. With the increase in Mg supply, the activities of N metabolism enzymes (NiR, GS, and GOGAT) were significantly promoted and the content of intermediate products in N metabolism ( NO 2 - , NH 4 + , and free amino acid) was significantly decreased. Furthermore, an appropriate rate of Mg significantly promoted the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), enhanced the enzyme activities of C metabolism (SS, SPS, S6PDH), and increased the contents of sorbitol and sucrose in leaves. In addition, Mg upregulated the gene expression of sugar transporters (MdSOT1, MdSOT3, MdSUT1, and MdSUT4) in fruit stalk and fruit fresh; 13C isotope tracer technology also showed that Mg significantly increased the 13C allocation in the fruits. Mg also significantly increased the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (MdCHS and MdF3H) and transcription factors (MdMYB1 and MdbZIP44) and the content of anthocyanin in apple peel. CONCLUSION The comprehensive analysis showed that the appropriate application of Mg (150 kg/ha) promoted PNUE, C-N metabolism, and anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple trees.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhanling Zhu
- *Correspondence: Zhanling Zhu, ; Yuanmao Jiang, ; Shunfeng Ge,
| | - Yuanmao Jiang
- *Correspondence: Zhanling Zhu, ; Yuanmao Jiang, ; Shunfeng Ge,
| | - Shunfeng Ge
- *Correspondence: Zhanling Zhu, ; Yuanmao Jiang, ; Shunfeng Ge,
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Aluko OO, Kant S, Adedire OM, Li C, Yuan G, Liu H, Wang Q. Unlocking the potentials of nitrate transporters at improving plant nitrogen use efficiency. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1074839. [PMID: 36895876 PMCID: PMC9989036 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1074839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate ( NO 3 - ) transporters have been identified as the primary targets involved in plant nitrogen (N) uptake, transport, assimilation, and remobilization, all of which are key determinants of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, less attention has been directed toward the influence of plant nutrients and environmental cues on the expression and activities of NO 3 - transporters. To better understand how these transporters function in improving plant NUE, this review critically examined the roles of NO 3 - transporters in N uptake, transport, and distribution processes. It also described their influence on crop productivity and NUE, especially when co-expressed with other transcription factors, and discussed these transporters' functional roles in helping plants cope with adverse environmental conditions. We equally established the possible impacts of NO 3 - transporters on the uptake and utilization efficiency of other plant nutrients while suggesting possible strategic approaches to improving NUE in plants. Understanding the specificity of these determinants is crucial to achieving better N utilization efficiency in crops within a given environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Olayemi Aluko
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Surya Kant
- Agriculture Victoria, Grains Innovation Park, Horsham, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Chuanzong Li
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guang Yuan
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haobao Liu
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao, China
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Ji Y, Yue L, Cao X, Chen F, Li J, Zhang J, Wang C, Wang Z, Xing B. Carbon dots promoted soybean photosynthesis and amino acid biosynthesis under drought stress: Reactive oxygen species scavenging and nitrogen metabolism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159125. [PMID: 36181808 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
With global warming and water scarcity, improving the drought tolerance and quality of crops is critical for food security and human health. Here, foliar application of carbon dots (CDs, 5 mg·L-1) could scavenge reactive oxygen species accumulation in soybean leaves under drought stress, thereby enhancing photosynthesis and carbohydrate transport. Moreover, CDs stimulated root secretion (e.g., amino acids, organic acids, and auxins) and recruited beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Actinobacteria, Ascomycota, Acidobacteria and Glomeromycota), which facilitate nitrogen (N) activation in the soil. Meanwhile, the expression of GmNRT, GmAMT, and GmAQP genes were up-regulated, indicating enhanced N and water uptake. The results demonstrated that CDs could promote nitrogen metabolism and enhance amino acid biosynthesis. Particularly, the N content in soybean shoots and roots increased significantly by 13.2 % and 30.5 %, respectively. The amino acids content in soybean shoots and roots increased by 257.5 % and 57.5 %, respectively. Consequently, soybean yields increased significantly by 21.5 %, and the protein content in soybean kernels improved by 3.7 %. Therefore, foliar application of CDs can support sustainable nano-enabled agriculture to combat climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Ji
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Le Yue
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xuesong Cao
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Feiran Chen
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jiangshan Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Chuanxi Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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Bhardwaj AK, Malik K, Chejara S, Rajwar D, Narjary B, Chandra P. Integration of organics in nutrient management for rice-wheat system improves nitrogen use efficiency via favorable soil biological and electrochemical responses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1075011. [PMID: 36684741 PMCID: PMC9849818 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1075011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The contrasting soil management in flooded-transplanted rice (Oryza sativa) and dry-tilled wheat (Triticum aestivum) poses a challenge for improving low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the rice-wheat system. Integration of organics in nutrient management can bring in changes favoring efficient N uptake via changes in growing conditions and soil responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study reported the results of a 15-year-long experiment on integrated nutrient management (INM) systems for rice-wheat cropping. The INM included substituting ~50% of chemical fertilizers via (i) including a legume crop (Vigna radiata) in the sequence and its biomass incorporation (LE), (ii) green manuring with Sesbania aculeata (GM), (iii) farmyard manure application (FYM), (iv) 1/3 wheat stubble in situ retention (WS), and (v) 1/3 rice stubble in situ retention. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The INM strategies resulted in improved NUE compared to 100% chemical fertilizers (F). The INM had significantly higher net N mineralization and improved biological activity aligning with the NUE trends. The reductions in redox potential (Eh) and pH during rice season improved NUE under integrated management. Highly reduced conditions favored N mineralization and plant availability in form of NH 4 + - N resulting in enhanced uptake efficiency, in rice crop. The soil organic carbon (C) significantly increased in INM, and an effect of the active C fractions was evident on the NUE of the wheat crop. CONCLUSION The results showed that these INM strategies can immensely benefit the rice-wheat system via improvement in biological health along with electrochemical changes for flooded rice, and labile-C-assisted improvement in soil conditions for wheat.
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Identification of NPF Family Genes in Brassica rapa Reveal Their Potential Functions in Pollen Development and Response to Low Nitrate Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010754. [PMID: 36614198 PMCID: PMC9821126 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitrate Transporter 1/Peptide Transporter Family (NPF) genes encode membrane transporters involved in the transport of diverse substrates. However, little is known about the diversity and functions of NPFs in Brassica rapa. In this study, 85 NPFs were identified in B. rapa (BrNPFs) which comprised eight subfamilies. Gene structure and conserved motif analysis suggested that BrNFPs were conserved throughout the genus. Stress and hormone-responsive cis-acting elements and transcription factor binding sites were identified in BrNPF promoters. Syntenic analysis suggested that tandem duplication contributed to the expansion of BrNPFs in B. rapa. Transcriptomic profiling analysis indicated that BrNPF2.6, BrNPF2.15, BrNPF7.6, and BrNPF8.9 were expressed in fertile floral buds, suggesting important roles in pollen development. Thirty-nine BrNPFs were responsive to low nitrate availability in shoots or roots. BrNPF2.10, BrNPF2.19, BrNPF2.3, BrNPF5.12, BrNPF5.16, BrNPF5.8, and BrNPF6.3 were only up-regulated in roots under low nitrate conditions, indicating that they play positive roles in nitrate absorption. Furthermore, many genes were identified in contrasting genotypes that responded to vernalization and clubroot disease. Our results increase understanding of BrNPFs as candidate genes for genetic improvement studies of B. rapa to promote low nitrate availability tolerance and for generating sterile male lines based on gene editing methods.
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Motarjemi SK, Styczen ME, Petersen RJ, Jensen KJS, Plauborg F. Effects of different drainage conditions on nitrogen losses of an agricultural sandy loam soil. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 325:116267. [PMID: 36419278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged waterlogging in agricultural fields has severe consequences for the crop development and growth, and could potentially lead to higher N losses. In this study, a 3.93 ha agricultural field in Denmark was separated into two parts of well-drained (WD) and poorly-drained (PD) based on the installation depth of the tile drains. The field was continuously monitored for drainage, soil water dynamics, nitrogen leaching through the drains, and grain dry matter and nitrogen yields in a 4-year period (2017-2020). Furthermore, denitrification potential of the top 1 m of the soil at both parts of the field was measured through the denitrifying enzyme activity assay, and a 1D Daisy model was utilized to capture the differences between water and nitrogen balances at WD and PD. Results indicated that on average over the 4 years, annual harvested nitrogen in the crops at PD was 14% lower compared to WD, with a significant reduction of 33% in 2017-2018, that coincided with the longest period of waterlogging at PD. Moreover, greater losses of nitrogen through leaching from drainage and other pathways were measured at the PD (109 kg N ha-1 ya-1) compared to the WD (95 kg N ha-1 ya-1). Based on the simulations, losses through preferential flow pathways to the drains dominated at PD and most of the denitrification is expected to occur within the topsoil. Future studies could significantly benefit from monitoring the redox dynamics in the top 30 cm of the PD soils, and increasing the depth of tiles drains by redrainage could reduce the N losses of poorly drained agricultural soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saghar K Motarjemi
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830, Tjele, Denmark; Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology (WATEC), Department of Agroecology, Blichers Alle 20, 8830, Tjele, Denmark.
| | - Merete E Styczen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rasmus J Petersen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Kasper J S Jensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Finn Plauborg
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
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Babele PK, Srivastava A, Selim KA, Kumar A. Millet-inspired systems metabolic engineering of NUE in crops. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 41:701-713. [PMID: 36566140 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in agriculture has a great ability to increase crop productivity. However, their excessive use has detrimental effects on the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop crop varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) that require less N but have substantial yields. Orphan crops such as millets are cultivated in limited regions and are well adapted to lower input conditions. Therefore, they serve as a rich source of beneficial traits that can be transferred into major crops to improve their NUE. This review highlights the tremendous potential of systems biology to unravel the enzymes and pathways involved in the N metabolism of millets, which can open new possibilities to generate transgenic crops with improved NUE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyoosh K Babele
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi 284003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Amit Srivastava
- University of Jyväskylä, Nanoscience Centre, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Khaled A Selim
- Organismic Interactions Department, Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cluster of Excellence 'Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections', Tübingen University, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anil Kumar
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi 284003, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Chattha MS, Ali Q, Haroon M, Afzal MJ, Javed T, Hussain S, Mahmood T, Solanki MK, Umar A, Abbas W, Nasar S, Schwartz-Lazaro LM, Zhou L. Enhancement of nitrogen use efficiency through agronomic and molecular based approaches in cotton. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:994306. [PMID: 36237509 PMCID: PMC9552886 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.994306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Cotton is a major fiber crop grown worldwide. Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for cotton production and supports efficient crop production. It is a crucial nutrient that is required more than any other. Nitrogen management is a daunting task for plants; thus, various strategies, individually and collectively, have been adopted to improve its efficacy. The negative environmental impacts of excessive N application on cotton production have become harmful to consumers and growers. The 4R's of nutrient stewardship (right product, right rate, right time, and right place) is a newly developed agronomic practice that provides a solid foundation for achieving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in cotton production. Cropping systems are equally crucial for increasing production, profitability, environmental growth protection, and sustainability. This concept incorporates the right fertilizer source at the right rate, time, and place. In addition to agronomic practices, molecular approaches are equally important for improving cotton NUE. This could be achieved by increasing the efficacy of metabolic pathways at the cellular, organ, and structural levels and NUE-regulating enzymes and genes. This is a potential method to improve the role of N transporters in plants, resulting in better utilization and remobilization of N in cotton plants. Therefore, we suggest effective methods for accelerating NUE in cotton. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of agronomic and molecular approaches for improving NUE in cotton production, which benefits both the environment and growers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sohaib Chattha
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Qurban Ali
- Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Muhammad Haroon
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Talha Javed
- College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Sadam Hussain
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Tahir Mahmood
- Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Manoj K. Solanki
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Aisha Umar
- Institute of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Waseem Abbas
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanza Nasar
- Department of Botany, University of Gujrat Hafiz Hayat Campus, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Lauren M. Schwartz-Lazaro
- School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Lei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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Tan Y, Chai Q, Li G, Hu F, Yu A, Zhao C, Fan Z, Yin W, Fan H. No-till and nitrogen fertilizer reduction improve nitrogen translocation and productivity of spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) via promotion of plant transpiration. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:988211. [PMID: 36119600 PMCID: PMC9478441 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.988211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer has threatened the survivability and sustainability of agriculture. Improving N productivity is promising to address the above issue. Therefore, the field experiment, which investigated the effect of no-till and N fertilizer reduction on water use and N productivity of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), was conducted at Wuwei experimental station in northwestern China. There were two tillage practices (conventional tillage, CT; and no-till with previous plastic film mulching, NT) and three N fertilizer rates (135 kg N ha-1, N1; 180 kg N ha-1, N2; and 225 kg N ha-1, N3). The results showed that NT lowered soil evaporation (SE) by 22.4% while increasing the ratio of transpiration to evapotranspiration (T/ET) by 13.6%, compared with CT. In addition, NT improved the total N accumulation by 11.5% and enhanced N translocation (NT) quantity, rate, and contribution by a range of 6.2-23.3%. Ultimately, NT increased grain yield (GY), N partial factor productivity, and N harvest index by 13.4, 13.1, and 26.0%, respectively. Overall, N1 increased SE (13.6%) but decreased T/ET (6.1%) compared with N3. While, N2 enhanced NT quantity, rate, and contribution by a range of 6.0-15.2%. With the integration of NT, N2 achieved the same level of GY and N harvest index as N3 and promoted N partial factor productivity by 11.7%. The significant positive correlation of NT relative to T/ET and GY indicated that improving T/ET was essential for achieving higher NT. Therefore, we concluded that no-till coupled with N fertilizer rate at 180 kg N ha-1 was a preferable management option to boost the N productivity of spring wheat in arid areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
- College of Forestry, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiang Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Guang Li
- College of Forestry, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Falong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Aizhong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Cai Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhilong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wen Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
- College of Agronomy, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Lanzhou, China
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Wang C, Ji Y, Cao X, Yue L, Chen F, Li J, Yang H, Wang Z, Xing B. Carbon Dots Improve Nitrogen Bioavailability to Promote the Growth and Nutritional Quality of Soybeans under Drought Stress. ACS NANO 2022; 16:12415-12424. [PMID: 35946591 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c03591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The inefficient utilization of nitrogen (N) in soil and drought stress seriously threatens agricultural and food production. Herein, soil application of carbon dots (CDs, 5 mg kg-1) promoted the growth and nutritional quality of soybeans by improving N bioavailability, which was beneficial to alleviate the economic losses caused by drought stress. Soil application of CDs enhanced the N-fixing ability of nodules, regulated rhizosphere processes, and ultimately enhanced N and water uptake in soybeans under drought stress. Compared to control (drought stress), the application of CDs under drought stress enhanced soybean nitrogenase activity by 8.6% and increased N content in soybean shoots and roots by 18.5% and 14.8%, respectively. CDs in soil promoted the secretion of root exudates (e.g., organic acids, fatty acids, and polyketides) and regulated beneficial microbial communities (e.g., Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Actinobacteria), thus enhancing the N release from soil. Besides, compared to control, the expression of GmNRT, GmAMT, GmLB, and GmAQP genes in roots were upregulated by 1.2-, 1.8-, 2.7-, and 2.3-fold respectively, implying enhanced N transport and water uptake. Furthermore, the proteins, fatty acids, and amino acids in soybean grains were improved by 3.4%, 6.9%, and 17.3%, respectively, as a result of improved N bioavailability. Therefore, CD-enabled agriculture is promising for improving the drought tolerance and quality of soybeans, which is of significance for food security in facing the crisis of global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanxi Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yahui Ji
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuesong Cao
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Yue
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Feiran Chen
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanyue Yang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Shen C, Li Q, An Y, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, He F, Chen L, Liu C, Mao W, Wang X, Liang H, Yin W, Xia X. The transcription factor GNC optimizes nitrogen use efficiency and growth by up-regulating the expression of nitrate uptake and assimilation genes in poplar. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:4778-4792. [PMID: 35526197 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved complex mechanisms to cope with the fluctuating environmental availability of nitrogen. However, potential genes modulating plant responses to nitrate are yet to be characterized. Here, a poplar GATA transcription factor gene PdGNC (GATA nitrate-inducible carbon-metabolism-involved) was found to be strongly induced by low nitrate. Overexpressing PdGNC in poplar clone 717-1B4 (P. tremula × alba) significantly improved nitrate uptake, remobilization, and assimilation with higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and faster growth, particularly under low nitrate conditions. Conversely, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated poplar mutant gnc exhibited decreased nitrate uptake, relocation, and assimilation, combined with lower NUE and slower growth. Assays with yeast one-hybrid, electrophoretic mobility shift, and a dual-luciferase reporter showed that PdGNC directly activated the promoters of nitrogen pathway genes PdNRT2.4b, PdNR, PdNiR, and PdGS2, leading to a significant increase in nitrate utilization in poplar. As expected, the enhanced NUE promoted growth under low nitrate availability. Taken together, our data show that PdGNC plays an important role in the regulation of NUE and growth in poplar by improving nitrate acquisition, remobilization, and assimilation, and provide a promising strategy for molecular breeding to improve productivity under nitrogen limitation in trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Shen
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi An
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yangyan Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Fang He
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyun Chen
- Hangzhou Lifeng Seed Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China
| | - Chao Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Mao
- Salver Academy of Botany, Rizhao, Shandong 276800, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Salver Academy of Botany, Rizhao, Shandong 276800, China
| | - Haiying Liang
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Weilun Yin
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinli Xia
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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Carillo P, Rouphael Y. Nitrate Uptake and Use Efficiency: Pros and Cons of Chloride Interference in the Vegetable Crops. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:899522. [PMID: 35783949 PMCID: PMC9244799 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.899522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Over the past five decades, nitrogen (N) fertilization has been an essential tool for boosting crop productivity in agricultural systems. To avoid N pollution while preserving the crop yields and profit margins for farmers, the scientific community is searching for eco-sustainable strategies aimed at increasing plants' nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The present article provides a refined definition of the NUE based on the two important physiological factors (N-uptake and N-utilization efficiency). The diverse molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying the processes of N assimilation, translocation, transport, accumulation, and reallocation are revisited and critically discussed. The review concludes by examining the N uptake and NUE in tandem with chloride stress and eustress, the latter being a new approach toward enhancing productivity and functional quality of the horticultural crops, particularly facilitated by soilless cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petronia Carillo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Youssef Rouphael
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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De Pessemier J, Moturu TR, Nacry P, Ebert R, De Gernier H, Tillard P, Swarup K, Wells DM, Haseloff J, Murray SC, Bennett MJ, Inzé D, Vincent CI, Hermans C. Root system size and root hair length are key phenes for nitrate acquisition and biomass production across natural variation in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:3569-3583. [PMID: 35304891 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The role of root phenes in nitrogen (N) acquisition and biomass production was evaluated in 10 contrasting natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana L. Seedlings were grown on vertical agar plates with two different nitrate supplies. The low N treatment increased the root to shoot biomass ratio and promoted the proliferation of lateral roots and root hairs. The cost of a larger root system did not impact shoot biomass. Greater biomass production could be achieved through increased root length or through specific root hair characteristics. A greater number of root hairs may provide a low-resistance pathway under elevated N conditions, while root hair length may enhance root zone exploration under low N conditions. The variability of N uptake and the expression levels of genes encoding nitrate transporters were measured. A positive correlation was found between root system size and high-affinity nitrate uptake, emphasizing the benefits of an exploratory root organ in N acquisition. The expression levels of NRT1.2/NPF4.6, NRT2.2, and NRT1.5/NPF7.3 negatively correlated with some root morphological traits. Such basic knowledge in Arabidopsis demonstrates the importance of root phenes to improve N acquisition and paves the way to design eudicot ideotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme De Pessemier
- Crop Production and Biostimulation Laboratory, Interfacultary School of Bioengineers, Université libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Taraka Ramji Moturu
- Crop Production and Biostimulation Laboratory, Interfacultary School of Bioengineers, Université libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Nacry
- Institute of Plant Science Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Rebecca Ebert
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Hugues De Gernier
- Crop Production and Biostimulation Laboratory, Interfacultary School of Bioengineers, Université libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pascal Tillard
- Institute of Plant Science Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, 34060 Montpellier, France
| | - Kamal Swarup
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Darren M Wells
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jim Haseloff
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Seth C Murray
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Malcolm J Bennett
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Dirk Inzé
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christopher I Vincent
- Citrus Research and Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL, USA
| | - Christian Hermans
- Crop Production and Biostimulation Laboratory, Interfacultary School of Bioengineers, Université libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Liu Q, Wu K, Song W, Zhong N, Wu Y, Fu X. Improving Crop Nitrogen Use Efficiency Toward Sustainable Green Revolution. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 73:523-551. [PMID: 35595292 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-070121-015752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The Green Revolution of the 1960s improved crop yields in part through the widespread cultivation of semidwarf plant varieties, which resist lodging but require a high-nitrogen (N) fertilizer input. Because environmentally degrading synthetic fertilizer use underlies current worldwide cereal yields, future agricultural sustainability demands enhanced N use efficiency (NUE). Here, we summarize the current understanding of how plants sense, uptake, and respond to N availability in the model plants that can be used to improve sustainable productivity in agriculture. Recent progress in unlocking the genetic basis of NUE within the broader context of plant systems biology has provided insights into the coordination of plant growth and nutrient assimilation and inspired the implementation of a new breeding strategy to cut fertilizer use in high-yield cereal crops. We conclude that identifying fresh targets for N sensing and response in crops would simultaneously enable improved grain productivity and NUE to launch a new Green Revolution and promote future food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;
| | - Kun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;
| | - Wenzhen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;
| | - Nan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;
| | - Yunzhe Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;
| | - Xiangdong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Javed T, I I, Singhal RK, Shabbir R, Shah AN, Kumar P, Jinger D, Dharmappa PM, Shad MA, Saha D, Anuragi H, Adamski R, Siuta D. Recent Advances in Agronomic and Physio-Molecular Approaches for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Crop Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:877544. [PMID: 35574130 PMCID: PMC9106419 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.877544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency with which plants use nutrients to create biomass and/or grain is determined by the interaction of environmental and plant intrinsic factors. The major macronutrients, especially nitrogen (N), limit plant growth and development (1.5-2% of dry biomass) and have a direct impact on global food supply, fertilizer demand, and concern with environmental health. In the present time, the global consumption of N fertilizer is nearly 120 MT (million tons), and the N efficiency ranges from 25 to 50% of applied N. The dynamic range of ideal internal N concentrations is extremely large, necessitating stringent management to ensure that its requirements are met across various categories of developmental and environmental situations. Furthermore, approximately 60 percent of arable land is mineral deficient and/or mineral toxic around the world. The use of chemical fertilizers adds to the cost of production for the farmers and also increases environmental pollution. Therefore, the present study focused on the advancement in fertilizer approaches, comprising the use of biochar, zeolite, and customized nano and bio-fertilizers which had shown to be effective in improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) with lower soil degradation. Consequently, adopting precision farming, crop modeling, and the use of remote sensing technologies such as chlorophyll meters, leaf color charts, etc. assist in reducing the application of N fertilizer. This study also discussed the role of crucial plant attributes such as root structure architecture in improving the uptake and transport of N efficiency. The crosstalk of N with other soil nutrients plays a crucial role in nutrient homeostasis, which is also discussed thoroughly in this analysis. At the end, this review highlights the more efficient and accurate molecular strategies and techniques such as N transporters, transgenes, and omics, which are opening up intriguing possibilities for the detailed investigation of the molecular components that contribute to nitrogen utilization efficiency, thus expanding our knowledge of plant nutrition for future global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talha Javed
- College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Indu I
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Singhal
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India
| | - Rubab Shabbir
- College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Seed Science and Technology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Noor Shah
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan
| | - Pawan Kumar
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner, India
| | - Dinesh Jinger
- Research Centre, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Anand, India
| | - Prathibha M. Dharmappa
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Munsif Ali Shad
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Center of Plant Gene, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Debanjana Saha
- Centurion University of Technology and Management, Jatni, India
| | - Hirdayesh Anuragi
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi, India
| | - Robert Adamski
- Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Łódź University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
| | - Dorota Siuta
- Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Łódź University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
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Lei B, Chang W, Zhao H, Zhang K, Yu J, Yu S, Cai K, Zhang J, Lu K. Nitrogen application and differences in leaf number retained after topping affect the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) transcriptome and metabolome. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:38. [PMID: 35045826 PMCID: PMC8767696 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agronomic treatments such as the application of nitrogen fertilizer and topping (removal of the inflorescence and top leaves) cause substantial changes in plant metabolism. To explore these changes, we conducted comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of leaves collected from four positions along the stem on plants exposed to two nitrogen doses and with different numbers of leaves retained after topping in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). RESULTS We identified 13,330 unique differentially expressed genes and 32 differentially abundant metabolites. Through RNA-seq and WGCNA analyze, we constructed 2 co-expression networks (green and blue) highly correlation to N application and leaf number retained, predicted a hub gene NtGER3 may play an important role in N metabolism related to amino acid (cysteine) through CK pathway in tobacco leaves, NtARFs may participated in modulating the auxin signal and N in bottom leaves and NtRAP2.12 as key gene involved in N regulation by ethylene pathway. What's more, our data prove C/N transformation and balance affect the "source - flow - sink" redistribution and remobilization in tobacco during growth and development process. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this comparative transcriptomics study provides novel insight into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to different levels of nitrogen application and the number of leaves remaining after topping in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lei
- Molecular Genetics Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, China National Tobacco Corporation, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
- Upland Flue-Cured Tobacco Quality and Ecology Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Wei Chang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huina Zhao
- Molecular Genetics Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, China National Tobacco Corporation, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
- Upland Flue-Cured Tobacco Quality and Ecology Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Molecular Genetics Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, China National Tobacco Corporation, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Shizhou Yu
- Molecular Genetics Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, China National Tobacco Corporation, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Kai Cai
- Upland Flue-Cured Tobacco Quality and Ecology Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Upland Flue-Cured Tobacco Quality and Ecology Key Laboratory of China Tobacco, Guizhou Academy of Tobacco Science, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Kun Lu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Ye JY, Tian WH, Jin CW. Nitrogen in plants: from nutrition to the modulation of abiotic stress adaptation. STRESS BIOLOGY 2022; 2:4. [PMID: 37676383 PMCID: PMC10441927 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-021-00030-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrient for plant growth and development; it is strongly associated with a variety of abiotic stress responses. As sessile organisms, plants have evolved to develop efficient strategies to manage N to support growth when exposed to a diverse range of stressors. This review summarizes the recent progress in the field of plant nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) uptake, which are the two major forms of N that are absorbed by plants. We explore the intricate relationship between NO3-/NH4+ and abiotic stress responses in plants, focusing on stresses from nutrient deficiencies, unfavorable pH, ions, and drought. Although many molecular details remain unclear, research has revealed a number of core signaling regulators that are associated with N-mediated abiotic stress responses. An in-depth understanding and exploration of the molecular processes that underpin the interactions between N and abiotic stresses is useful in the design of effective strategies to improve crop growth, development, and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yuan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wen Hao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Zhejiang, 310006, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Chong Wei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Ye JY, Tian WH, Zhou M, Zhu QY, Du WX, Zhu YX, Liu XX, Lin XY, Zheng SJ, Jin CW. STOP1 activates NRT1.1-mediated nitrate uptake to create a favorable rhizospheric pH for plant adaptation to acidity. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:3658-3674. [PMID: 34524462 PMCID: PMC8643680 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Protons (H+) in acidic soils arrest plant growth. However, the mechanisms by which plants optimize their biological processes to diminish the unfavorable effects of H+ stress remain largely unclear. Here, we showed that in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana, the C2H2-type transcription factor STOP1 in the nucleus was enriched by low pH in a nitrate-independent manner, with the spatial expression pattern of NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1.1 (NRT1.1) established by low pH required the action of STOP1. Additionally, the nrt1.1 and stop1 mutants, as well as the nrt1.1 stop1 double mutant, had a similar hypersensitive phenotype to low pH, indicating that STOP1 and NRT1.1 function in the same pathway for H+ tolerance. Molecular assays revealed that STOP1 directly bound to the promoter of NRT1.1 to activate its transcription in response to low pH, thus upregulating its nitrate uptake. This action improved the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of plants and created a favorable rhizospheric pH for root growth by enhancing H+ depletion in the rhizosphere. Consequently, the constitutive expression of NRT1.1 in stop1 mutants abolished the hypersensitive phenotype to low pH. These results demonstrate that STOP1-NRT1.1 is a key module for plants to optimize NUE and ensure better plant growth in acidic media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yuan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wen Hao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Miao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qing Yang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wen Xin Du
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ya Xin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xing Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xian Yong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shao Jian Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chong Wei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Lebedev VG, Popova AA, Shestibratov KA. Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Plants. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123303. [PMID: 34943810 PMCID: PMC8699818 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Low nitrogen availability is one of the main limiting factors for plant growth and development, and high doses of N fertilizers are necessary to achieve high yields in agriculture. However, most N is not used by plants and pollutes the environment. This situation can be improved by enhancing the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in plants. NUE is a complex trait driven by multiple interactions between genetic and environmental factors, and its improvement requires a fundamental understanding of the key steps in plant N metabolism—uptake, assimilation, and remobilization. This review summarizes two decades of research into bioengineering modification of N metabolism to increase the biomass accumulation and yield in crops. The expression of structural and regulatory genes was most often altered using overexpression strategies, although RNAi and genome editing techniques were also used. Particular attention was paid to woody plants, which have great economic importance, play a crucial role in the ecosystems and have fundamental differences from herbaceous species. The review also considers the issue of unintended effects of transgenic plants with modified N metabolism, e.g., early flowering—a research topic which is currently receiving little attention. The future prospects of improving NUE in crops, essential for the development of sustainable agriculture, using various approaches and in the context of global climate change, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim G. Lebedev
- Forest Biotechnology Group, Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna A. Popova
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, 394087 Voronezh, Russia;
| | - Konstantin A. Shestibratov
- Forest Biotechnology Group, Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G.F. Morozov, 394087 Voronezh, Russia;
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Ma JF, Tsay YF. Transport Systems of Mineral Elements in Plants: Transporters, Regulation and Utilization. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 62:539-540. [PMID: 33576404 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Feng Ma
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Chuo 2-20-1, Kurashiki, 710-0046 Japan
| | - Yi-Fang Tsay
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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Melino VJ, Tester MA, Okamoto M. Strategies for engineering improved nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants via redistribution and recycling of organic nitrogen. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 73:263-269. [PMID: 34560475 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Global use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers has increased sevenfold from 1960 to 1995 but much of the N applied is lost to the environment. Modifying the temporal and spatial distribution of organic N within the plant can lead to improved grain yield and/or grain protein content for the same or reduced N fertilizer inputs. Biotechnological approaches to modify whole plant distribution of amino acids and ureides has proven successful in several crop species. Manipulating selective autophagy pathways in crops has also improved N remobilization efficiency to sink tissues whilst the contribution of ribophagy, RNA and purine catabolism to N recycling in crops is still too early to foretell. Improved recycling and remobilization of N must exploit N-stress responsive transcriptional regulators, N-sensing or phloem-localized promotors and genetic variation for N-responsive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa J Melino
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mark A Tester
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mamoru Okamoto
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Precinct, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia
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Cui J, Peuke AD, Limami AM, Tcherkez G. Why is phloem sap nitrate kept low? PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2021; 44:2838-2843. [PMID: 34075592 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cui
- Research School of Biology, ANU College of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Andreas D Peuke
- ADP International Plant Science Consulting, Gundelfingen-Wildtal, Germany
| | - Anis M Limami
- Institut de Recherche en Horticulture et Semences, INRAe, Université d'Angers, Beaucouzé, France
| | - Guillaume Tcherkez
- Research School of Biology, ANU College of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Institut de Recherche en Horticulture et Semences, INRAe, Université d'Angers, Beaucouzé, France
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49
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Aci MM, Lupini A, Mauceri A, Sunseri F, Abenavoli MR. New insights into N-utilization efficiency in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under N limiting condition. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2021; 166:634-644. [PMID: 34198052 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) physiological and molecular mechanisms in high N demanding crops has become decisive for improving NUE in sustainable cropping systems. How the Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency (NUtE) component contributes to the NUE enhancement under nitrate limiting conditions in tomato remains to be elucidated. This study deals with the changes in several important nitrate metabolism related gene expressions (nitrate assimilation, transport, remobilization and storage/sequestration) engendered by short and long-term limiting nitrate exposure in two selected NUE-contrasting genotypes, Regina Ostuni (RO) and UC82, efficient and inefficient, respectively. At short-term, nitrate limiting supply triggered higher SlCLCa and SlNRT1.7 expressions in RO root and shoot, respectively, suggesting a higher nitrate storage and remobilization compared to UC82, explaining how RO withstood the nitrate deficiency better than UC82. At long-term, nitrate reductase (SlNR) and nitrite reductase (SlNIR) expression were not significantly different between nitrate treatments in RO, while significantly down-regulated under nitrate limiting treatment in UC82. In addition, SlCLCa and SlNRT1.8 transcript levels were significantly lower in RO, while those of SlNRT1.5 and SlNR appeared significantly higher. This suggested that the efficient genotype stored less nitrate compared to UC82, which was allocated and assimilated to the shoot. More interestingly, the expression of SlNRT2.7 was significantly higher in RO shoot compared to UC82 and strongly correlated to RO higher growth as well as to NUE and NUtE component. Our findings underlined the differential regulation of N-metabolism genes that may confer to NUtE component a pivotal role in NUE enhancement in tomato.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Aci
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università Mediterranea degli Studi di Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito, 89123, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
| | - A Lupini
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università Mediterranea degli Studi di Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito, 89123, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
| | - A Mauceri
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università Mediterranea degli Studi di Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito, 89123, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
| | - F Sunseri
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università Mediterranea degli Studi di Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito, 89123, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
| | - M R Abenavoli
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università Mediterranea degli Studi di Reggio Calabria, Feo di Vito, 89123, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
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50
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Novel technologies for emission reduction complement conservation agriculture to achieve negative emissions from row-crop production. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2022666118. [PMID: 34155124 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2022666118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Because agriculture's productivity is based on this process, a combination of technologies to reduce emissions and enhance soil carbon storage can allow this sector to achieve net negative emissions while maintaining high productivity. Unfortunately, current row-crop agricultural practice generates about 5% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and European Union. To reduce these emissions, significant effort has been focused on changing farm management practices to maximize soil carbon. In contrast, the potential to reduce emissions has largely been neglected. Through a combination of innovations in digital agriculture, crop and microbial genetics, and electrification, we estimate that a 71% (1,744 kg CO2e/ha) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from row crop agriculture is possible within the next 15 y. Importantly, emission reduction can lower the barrier to broad adoption by proceeding through multiple stages with meaningful improvements that gradually facilitate the transition to net negative practices. Emerging voluntary and regulatory ecosystems services markets will incentivize progress along this transition pathway and guide public and private investments toward technology development. In the difficult quest for net negative emissions, all tools, including emission reduction and soil carbon storage, must be developed to allow agriculture to maintain its critical societal function of provisioning society while, at the same time, generating environmental benefits.
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