Enhancement of nitrogen use efficiency through agronomic and molecular based approaches in cotton

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.

Role of Melatonin and Nitrogen Metabolism in Plants: Implications under Nitrogen-Excess or Nitrogen-Low

“…Additionally, nitrogen inhibitors, the split application of nitrogen, irrigation time, and the correct placement method of fertilizer which takes into consideration soil and crop type could improve NUE [ 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 ]. Therefore, melatonin must be studied more widely in the agronomic field in order to be considered a possible input into the NUE strategy [ 12 , 16 , 97 ], including the effects of enhancement by melatonin in the assimilation and metabolization of nitrogen, especially in symbiotic plants [ 54 , 55 ]. It is also important to study the effect of melatonin on rhizosphere and its microbiome, on which there are already some promising data [ 87 , 88 , 89 , 98 , 99 ].…”

Nitrogen use efficiency—a key to enhance crop productivity under a changing climate

“…The promotion of synthetic N fertilizers rather than symbiotic N fixation resulted in poor N use efficiency (Lassaletta et al, 2014). Likewise, uncontrolled flood irrigation resulted in NO 3 − leaching due to a negative charge and high solubility; furthermore, it creates anoxic conditions which lead to the development of denitrifying microorganisms (Chattha et al, 2022;Shabbir et al, 2022). Environmental factors, mainly higher temperature and wind speed, increase the risk of NH 3 volatilization (Chattha et al, 2022).…”

“…Likewise, uncontrolled flood irrigation resulted in NO 3 − leaching due to a negative charge and high solubility; furthermore, it creates anoxic conditions which lead to the development of denitrifying microorganisms (Chattha et al, 2022;Shabbir et al, 2022). Environmental factors, mainly higher temperature and wind speed, increase the risk of NH 3 volatilization (Chattha et al, 2022). It was found that an increase in soil temperature due to climate change increases the nitrification rate resulting in N loss and poor NUE (Engel et al, 2011).…”

“…Higher soil compactness and wet conditions promote the denitrification process, whereas no-till and coarse soils showed higher leaching or volatilization/loss of nitrogen. In coarse soils, NH 4 NO 3 fertilizer is subject to severe leaching and denitrification losses (Chattha et al, 2022). Globally, the majority of countries are facing a decreasing trend of NUE (from 68% to 47%) over a period of five to six decades (1960)(1961)(1962)(1963)(1964)(1965)(1966)(1967)(1968)(1969)(1970) (Lassaletta et al, 2014).…”

“…Environmental factors, mainly higher temperature and wind speed, increase the risk of NH 3 volatilization ( Chattha et al., 2022 ). It was found that an increase in soil temperature due to climate change increases the nitrification rate resulting in N loss and poor NUE ( Engel et al., 2011 ).…”