This collection reviews current research on improving crop nutrient use efficiency, including rhizobacteria-plant root interactions, nitrogen fertilizer management, and breeding techniques for more efficient wheat varieties. It highlights the importance of understanding molecular determinants of legume nodulation and the impact of inefficient N management on environmental issues.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 118 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2021
Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited

Improving Crop Nutrient Use Efficiency: A Comprehensive Review

This specially curated collection features four reviews of current and key research on improving crop nutrient use efficiency. The first chapter explores the relationship between rhizobacteria and plant roots, looking primarily at the recruitment of rhizobacteria by the plant to carry out particular functions, such as nutrient acquisition. The chapter highlights our current understanding of the molecular determinants of legume nodulation as well as challenges for improvements of biological nitrogen fixation in legumes and non-legumes. The second chapter considers the rising use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in agriculture and its role in the shrinking contribution of soil organic N. The chapter explores the impact of the inefficient management of N (low nitrogen-use efficiency) and the consequent developments of major environmental issues, such as pollution to groundwater, oceans and the atmosphere. The third chapter addresses key issues in using N fertilizers in wheat production, such as product cost and environmental impact. The chapter summarises the development of N-efficient cultivars and their economic benefits, as well as their role in reducing the environmental impact of excessive N fertilizer inputs, whilst maintaining respectable yields. The final chapter considers the use of breeding techniques, including genetic variability, to develop more efficient wheat varieties with improved traits related to nitrogen capture, nitrogen assimilation and nitrogen remobilization.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781801461115