The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable Agriculture

To improve nitrogen (N) efficiency in agriculture, integrated N management strategies that take into consideration improved fertilizer, soil, and crop management practices are necessary. This paper reports results of field experiments in which maize (Zea mays L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)...

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Main Authors: Franz Weisler, Torsten Behrens, Walter J. Horst
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2001-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2001.264
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author Franz Weisler
Torsten Behrens
Walter J. Horst
author_facet Franz Weisler
Torsten Behrens
Walter J. Horst
author_sort Franz Weisler
collection DOAJ
description To improve nitrogen (N) efficiency in agriculture, integrated N management strategies that take into consideration improved fertilizer, soil, and crop management practices are necessary. This paper reports results of field experiments in which maize (Zea mays L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars were compared with respect to their agronomic N efficiency (yield at a given N supply), N uptake efficiency (N accumulation at a given N supply), and N utilization efficiency (dry matter yield per unit N taken up by the plant). Under conditions of high N supply, significant differences among maize cultivars were found in shoot N uptake, soil nitrate depletion during the growing season, and the related losses of nitrate through leaching after the growing season. Experiments under conditions of reduced N supply indicated a considerable genotypic variation in reproductive yield formation of both maize and oilseed rape. High agronomic efficiency was achieved by a combination of high uptake and utilization efficiency (maize), or exclusively by high uptake efficiency (rape). N-efficient cultivars of both crops were characterized by maintenance of a relatively high N-uptake activity during the reproductive growth phase. In rape this trait was linked with leaf area and photosynthetic activity of leaves. We conclude that growing of N-efficient cultivars may serve as an important element of integrated nutrient management strategies in both low- and high-input agriculture.
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spelling doaj-art-671a50c42b58449a88bad5abcfee52942025-02-03T01:20:16ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2001-01-011616910.1100/tsw.2001.264The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable AgricultureFranz Weisler0Torsten Behrens1Walter J. Horst2Institute of Plant Nutrition, University of Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Plant Nutrition, University of Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Plant Nutrition, University of Hannover, GermanyTo improve nitrogen (N) efficiency in agriculture, integrated N management strategies that take into consideration improved fertilizer, soil, and crop management practices are necessary. This paper reports results of field experiments in which maize (Zea mays L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars were compared with respect to their agronomic N efficiency (yield at a given N supply), N uptake efficiency (N accumulation at a given N supply), and N utilization efficiency (dry matter yield per unit N taken up by the plant). Under conditions of high N supply, significant differences among maize cultivars were found in shoot N uptake, soil nitrate depletion during the growing season, and the related losses of nitrate through leaching after the growing season. Experiments under conditions of reduced N supply indicated a considerable genotypic variation in reproductive yield formation of both maize and oilseed rape. High agronomic efficiency was achieved by a combination of high uptake and utilization efficiency (maize), or exclusively by high uptake efficiency (rape). N-efficient cultivars of both crops were characterized by maintenance of a relatively high N-uptake activity during the reproductive growth phase. In rape this trait was linked with leaf area and photosynthetic activity of leaves. We conclude that growing of N-efficient cultivars may serve as an important element of integrated nutrient management strategies in both low- and high-input agriculture.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2001.264
spellingShingle Franz Weisler
Torsten Behrens
Walter J. Horst
The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable Agriculture
The Scientific World Journal
title The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable Agriculture
title_full The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable Agriculture
title_fullStr The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable Agriculture
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable Agriculture
title_short The Role of Nitrogen-Efficient Cultivars in Sustainable Agriculture
title_sort role of nitrogen efficient cultivars in sustainable agriculture
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2001.264
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