Nitrogen is the main limiting nutrient after carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen for the photosynthetic process, phyto-hormonal and proteomic changes, and growth development of plants to complete their lifecycle. Excessive and inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer results in enhanced crop production costs and atmospheric pollution. Atmospheric nitrogen (71%) in the molecular form is not available to plants. To ensure sustainable food production and atmospheric benefits, there is an urgent need to upgrade nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural farming systems. Nitrogen losses are substantial, due to excess amounts, low plant population, poor application methods, etc., which can use up to 70% of total available nitrogen. These losses can be minimized by 15 to 30% by adopting improved agronomic approaches such as optimal dosage of nitrogen, application of nitrogen by using canopy sensors, maintaining plant populations, drip fertigation, and legume-based intercropping. Therefore, some of today’s major concerns are to save economic resources without sacrificing farm yield and to protect the global environment from greenhouse gas emissions, ammonium volatilization, and nitrate leaching.
In this Research Topic, we will focus on recent developments and future prospects of obtaining a better understanding of the regulation of nitrogen use efficiency in the main crop species cultivated around the globe. The topic will cover all aspects of nutrient use efficiency, both traditional as well as modern, in a holistic manner. Submissions should provide up-to-date and in-depth scientific knowledge on agronomical, physiological, microbial, biochemical, and genetical strategies and mechanisms for increasing nitrogen use efficiency.
Scope of the Research Topic:
1. Resource conservation techniques for improving nitrogen use efficiency
2. Strategies for improving micro & micronutrients’ efficiency in crop plants
3. Microorganisms for nitrogen use efficiency
4. Present and future of nitrogen use efficiency
Nitrogen is the main limiting nutrient after carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen for the photosynthetic process, phyto-hormonal and proteomic changes, and growth development of plants to complete their lifecycle. Excessive and inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer results in enhanced crop production costs and atmospheric pollution. Atmospheric nitrogen (71%) in the molecular form is not available to plants. To ensure sustainable food production and atmospheric benefits, there is an urgent need to upgrade nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural farming systems. Nitrogen losses are substantial, due to excess amounts, low plant population, poor application methods, etc., which can use up to 70% of total available nitrogen. These losses can be minimized by 15 to 30% by adopting improved agronomic approaches such as optimal dosage of nitrogen, application of nitrogen by using canopy sensors, maintaining plant populations, drip fertigation, and legume-based intercropping. Therefore, some of today’s major concerns are to save economic resources without sacrificing farm yield and to protect the global environment from greenhouse gas emissions, ammonium volatilization, and nitrate leaching.
In this Research Topic, we will focus on recent developments and future prospects of obtaining a better understanding of the regulation of nitrogen use efficiency in the main crop species cultivated around the globe. The topic will cover all aspects of nutrient use efficiency, both traditional as well as modern, in a holistic manner. Submissions should provide up-to-date and in-depth scientific knowledge on agronomical, physiological, microbial, biochemical, and genetical strategies and mechanisms for increasing nitrogen use efficiency.
Scope of the Research Topic:
1. Resource conservation techniques for improving nitrogen use efficiency
2. Strategies for improving micro & micronutrients’ efficiency in crop plants
3. Microorganisms for nitrogen use efficiency
4. Present and future of nitrogen use efficiency