Untangling the molecular mechanisms and functions of nitrate to improve nitrogen use efficiency

Abstract

A huge amount of nitrogenous fertilizer is used to increase crop production. This leads to an increase in the cost of production, and to human and environmental problems. It is therefore necessary to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and to design agronomic, biotechnological and breeding strategies for better fertilizer use. Nitrogen use efficiency relies primarily on how plants extract, uptake, transport, assimilate, and remobilize nitrogen. Many plants use nitrate as a preferred nitrogen source. It acts as a signaling molecule in the various important physiological processes required for growth and development. As nitrate is the main source of nitrogen in the soil, root nitrate transporters are important subjects for study. The latest reports have also discussed how nitrate transporter and assimilation genes can be used as molecular tools to improve NUE in crops. The purpose of this review is to describe the mechanisms and functions of nitrate as a specific factor that can be addressed to increase NUE. Improving factors such as nitrate uptake, transport, assimilation, and remobilization through activation by signaling, sensing, and regulatory processes will improve plant growth and NUE.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differences in Key Genes and Pathways Regulating Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism in Cotton Genotypes under N Starvation and Resupply

“…Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important and limiting factors for plant growth and productivity [1] and serves as a constituent of many important macromolecules, including proteins, enzymes, metabolites, signaling compounds, and several plant hormones [2]. The application of N fertilizer has significantly increased crop production and as a result, reduced the pressure of population growth [1]. However, low N application is one of the major problems in crop production and decreases the yield up to 50% [3,4].…”

Variations in Nitrogen Metabolism are Closely Linked with Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization Efficiency in Cotton Genotypes under Various Nitrogen Supplies

“…Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important and limiting nutrients for crop production [1]. It is the main component of several macromolecules, which are necessary for normal growth and productivity [2].…”

“…It is the main component of several macromolecules, which are necessary for normal growth and productivity [2]. N fertilization has significantly improved crop production and thus reduces the pressure of global population growth [1]. However, low N is a major constraint in crop production and can decrease the yield up to 50% [3,4].…”

“…Furthermore, correlation analysis was also performed to know the possible correlations among all the studied traits that might explain the variations in NUpE and NUtE among the genotypes under various N supply. Consequently, the objectives of our study were (1) to investigate the interspecific variation for NUE-related traits in cotton genotypes and (2) to find out the most distinct genotypes for contrasting NUE in response to various nitrogen supplies.…”

Nitrogen preference and genetic variation of cotton genotypes for nitrogen use efficiency

“…1 It is needed by plants and often required in the highest amount of all the mineral elements. 2 Thus it resulted in the application of large amounts of nitrogenous fertilizers to improve growth and productivity 3 and are expected to increase by three-fold in the future. 4 However, the application of excess nitrogenous fertilizers to crop production leads to harmful impacts on the environment such as an increase in nitrous oxide emissions, eutrophication of fresh and marine ecosystems 5 as well as low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).…”