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Inadequate nitrogen (N)-fertilisation practices, that fail to consider seasonally variable weather conditions and their impacts on crop yield potential and N-requirements, cause reduced crop N-use efficiency. As a result, both the ecological and economic sustainability of crop production systems are put at risk. The aim of this study was to develop a season-specific crop forecasting approach that allows for a targeted application of N in winter wheat while maintaining farm revenue compared to empirical N-fertilisation practices. The crop forecasts of this study were generated using the process-based crop model SSM in combination with state-of-the-art seasonal ensemble weather forecasts (SEAS5) for the case study region of Eastern Austria. Results from three winter wheat on-farm experiments showed a significant reduction in applied N when implementing a crop forecast-based N-application approach (-43.33 kgN ha-1, -23.42%) compared to empirical N-application approaches, without compromising revenue from high-quality grain sales. The benefit of this reduced N-application approach was quantified through the economic return to applied N (ERAN). While maintaining revenue, the lower amounts of applied N led to significant benefits of + 30.22% (+ 2.20 € kgN-1) in ERAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hop (Humulus lupulus) is cultivated for industrial purposes, primarily for brewing, but also for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. The hop cones are valued for their secondary metabolites, including bitter acids and prenylflavonoids. The objective of the presented study was to investigate the impact of reducing nitrogen fertilisation on the activity of genes involved in the production of bitter acids and xanthohumol in cultivars Lubelski (aroma) and Magnat (bitter) grown in the field. Furthermore, the content of these compounds was determined. The results demonstrated that the majority of studied genes were expressed at a similar level despite the reduction in the nitrogen dose by 25–30%. Nitrogen dose influenced the activity of genes BCAT2, HS1, and PAL. Moreover, the differences in gene expression were observed between cultivars and developmental stages. The reduction in nitrogen dose did not result in a reduction in secondary metabolite content. The content of alpha and beta acids in Magnat was approximately 14.8% and 3.2%, respectively, while in Lubelski it was approximately 7.7% and 5.8%, respectively. The content of xanthohumol in both cultivars was approximately 0.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use intensity drives productivity and ecosystem functions in grassland. The effects of long-term land-use intensification on plant functional community composition and its direct and indirect linkages to processes of nutrient cycling are largely unknown. We manipulated mowing frequency and nitrogen inputs in an experiment in temperate grassland over ten years. We assessed changes in species composition and calculated functional diversity (FDis) and community weighted mean (CWM) traits of specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and leaf and root nitrogen of the plant community, using species-specific trait values derived from databases. We assessed above- and belowground decomposition and soil respiration. Plant diversity strongly decreased with increasing land-use intensity. CWM leaf nitrogen and SLA decreased, while CWM LDMC increased with land-use intensification, which could be linked to an increased proportion of graminoid species. Belowground processes were largely unaffected by land-use intensity. Land use affected aboveground litter composition directly and indirectly via community composition. Mowing frequency, and not a land-use index combining mowing frequency and fertilization, explained most of the variation in litter decomposition. Our results show that land-use intensification not only reduces plant diversity, but that these changes also affect nutrient dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardoon leaves are of great pharmaceutical importance due to their high content of polyphenol compounds. Polyphenolic compounds have attracted much interest due to their health-promoting effects. The content of these compounds in C. cardunculus depends on several factors, such as genotype, crop management, plant tissues, harvest time, and storage time. In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilisation (rates and forms) on the biomass yield and polyphenol profile of the leaves were determined. Increasing the amount of N up to 180 kg-ha−1 in fertilisation did not significantly increase the air-dried biomass yield of the leaves. On the contrary, it led to lower concentrations of total phenolic compounds (TP), total flavonoids (TF), caffeic acid, cynarin, and luteolin. Improvements in performance were achieved when 120 kg-ha−1 N rate was applied and increases in TP, TF content, and radical scavenging activity were observed. The applied N forms (NO3, NH4 or urea) had different effects on the concentrations of individual compounds and leaf air-dried biomass. Higher concentrations of cynarin, luteolin, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were found when the N forms NH4 and urea were applied; higher caffeic acid content was found when urea was applied. The application of NO3 and urea in fertilisation reduced the level of luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, while the application of NO3 and NH4 reduced the amount of caffeic acid. The obtained results provide a better understanding of the effects of N rates and forms on cardoon leaves over two growing seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivar, habitat conditions and agrotechnology have an influence on the yield and chemical composition of rye grain. The main anti-nutritional substances present in rye grain include alkylresorcinols, water-soluble pentosans and trypsin inhibitors. The aim of this study was to determine the variability in yield and the concentration of anti-nutritional compounds in the grain of selected winter rye cultivars in relation to nitrogen fertilisation levels and weather conditions. Field studies were conducted at the Experimental Station of IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland) in two growing seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020). The experiment was located on pseudo-polylic soil using the randomised sub-block method in three replications. The first factor of the experiment was the level of nitrogen fertilisation (0, 70 and 140 kg N∙ha−1) and the second was the population (Dańkowskie Skand, Piastowskie) and hybrid (KWS Vinetto, SU Performer) winter rye cultivars. The study showed that the yield of winter rye depended on the genotype and the level of nitrogen fertilisation. The hybrid cultivars yield ed 17.9% higher in relation to the population cultivars. The content of anti-nutritional compounds in rye grain depended significantly on genotype, level of nitrogen fertilisation and weather conditions. The reason for the higher synthesis of anti-nutrients in rye grain was the stressful weather conditions occurring in the 2019/2020 season. Nitrogen fertilisation influenced the content of alkylresorcinols, water-soluble pentosans and trypsin inhibitor activity in grain. The interaction of cultivar and fertilisation was also found to shape the content of the aforementioned anti-nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating the temporal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is critical for understanding their functions. Furthermore, research investigating the temporal dynamics of AM fungi in response to agricultural practices remains in its infancy. We investigated the effect of nitrogen fertilisation and watering reduction on the temporal dynamics of AM fungi, across the lifespan of wheat. Nitrogen fertilisation decreased AM fungal spore density (SD), extraradical hyphal density (ERHD), and intraradical colonisation rate (IRCR) in both watering conditions. Nitrogen fertilisation affected AM fungal community composition in soil but not in roots, regardless of watering conditions. The temporal analysis revealed that AM fungal ERHD and IRCR were higher under conventional watering and lower under reduced watering in March than in other growth stages at low (≤ 70 kg N ha-1  yr-1 ) but not at high (≥ 140) nitrogen fertilisation levels. AM fungal SD was lower in June than in other growth stages and community composition varied with plant development at all nitrogen fertilisation levels, regardless of watering conditions. This study demonstrates that high nitrogen fertilisation levels disrupt the temporal dynamics of AM fungal hyphal growth but not sporulation and community composition.

Potato cultivation is of paramount importance for South Tyrol and represents especially for the agriculture in Pusteria valley an important source of income. The ‘Pustertaler Saatbau’cooperative stores and sells the majority of seed and regular potatoes grown in the province. The cooperative offers a selection of 25 different potato cultivars, carefully harvested and optimally stored until spring. Recently, premature germination has been observed on certain lots, possibly due to excessive nitrogen fertilisation. Therefore, a four-year trial (2016-2019) was carried out in collaboration with the Laimburg Research Centre to investigate the influence of different nitrogen (N) treatments on the storability of six different potato cultivars. In addition, two different methods for early prediction of excess use of N-fertilisation on potato lots were tested. Although in some years the over-fertilised potato cultivars were characterised by higher germination intensity during storage, our results showed that germination intensity is more likely to be influenced by a combination of factors, such as cultivar susceptibility, seasonality, weather and fertilisation. The potato cultivar selection, tailor-made cultivation practices and knowledge of their storability potential, enable the optimal marketing of this important source of income without facing unpleasant losses.

Abstract Introduction Fungal communities are key players in the soil biogeochemical processes of forest ecosystems. Although it has been illustrated that soil fungi are susceptible to environmental changes, little is known about the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichment on the soil fungal functional guild. Materials and Methods Here, a 5‐year N and P addition manipulation experiment was conducted in two growing stages (i.e., tree ages 80 years) of a subtropical forest, in which soil fungal diversity and functional guilds were investigated using a multiple‐time sampling strategy. Results Fungal species richness and Shannon indices were significantly different across sampling times. Fungal community composition was significantly affected by both N and P addition but not by forest age. Old forest had a higher fungal network complexity than young forest, and fertilisation decreased soil fungal network complexity and generated looser and more random networks in comparison with the control. The community composition of symbiotrophic and saprotrophic fungi was significantly impacted by N and P addition and correlated with soil available P and total P contents and soil C:P and N:P. Conclusions Our findings highlight that soil P availability has a strong effect on soil fungal communities and their functional guild composition in the subtropical forest.

Pasture persistence is a key determinant of the economic and environmental performance of pastoral animal production systems. Large and deep root systems that help resist summer water stress have been proposed as a relevant trait for vegetative persistence of perennial temperate forage species growing in subtropical climates or under future climatically challenging scenarios. In a previous study [Jauregui et al., 2017. Persistence of tall fescue in a subtropical environment: Tiller survival over summer in response to flowering control and nitrogen supply. Grass and Forage Science72, 454–466] we have shown that nitrogen fertilization and grazing management aimed at 'control flowering' increased the survival of tall fescue tillers during harsh summers in Uruguay (lat. 32°S). Here we assessed: (i) to what extent tiller survival is mediated by root system size in spring and (ii) what consequences tiller survival entails for root mass, depth and morphology the following autumn. In two field experiments, significant increases in tiller survival in response to nitrogen fertilization and grazing management (+60% and +80% in 2011/12 and 2012/13, respectively) were not related to concomitant effects on the size or depth of the root system in spring (p >.10). Even when six‐fold within‐treatment variation in root mass was observed, within‐treatment variation in summer tiller survival was little affected (<15%, p =.08). In turn, differences in tiller survival over summer affected little root system characteristics the following autumn. Therefore, we found scant support for the hypothesis that large and deep root systems contribute to survival of tall fescue tillers in this subtropical humid climate. Except for soils with less than 30 mm of plant available water holding capacity, summer water deficits did not induce severe tiller mortality in tall fescue in this climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora root rot, caused by many Phytophthora species, decreases the health of rhododendrons produced in nurseries. Optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilizer is often used to improve nursery stock quality, but there is little information on how N fertilizers influence root rot caused by these pathogens. To understand the impact of N fertilizer and pathogen species on root rot development, rhododendrons were grown with no (0 g N/pot), low (1.04 g N/pot) or high (3.12 g N/pot) rates of N and inoculated with either P. cinnamomi or P. plurivora. Noninoculated plants at low and high N rates had greater biomass, leaf greenness and enhanced N, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur and manganese uptake compared to plants grown with no N. When either Phytophthora species was present, N application increased aboveground disease symptoms (wilting, chlorosis, reduced stomatal conductance and biomass), but had no effect on root rot severity belowground. In addition, P. cinnamomi restricted uptake of several nutrients while P. plurivora had less influence on nutrient uptake. Nurseries frequently apply high amounts of N to promote fast growth. However, our results show that this can exacerbate root rot when P. cinnamomi or P. plurivora is present. Although decreasing N can reduce the number of overtly symptomatic plants, this may conversely increase the risk for selling apparently asymptomatic plants with low levels of infection. Additional studies are needed to determine how N fertilization influences Phytophthora root rot for a broader range of rhododendron cultivars and nursery crop species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) fertilisers used in barley production serve as the primary contributors to total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, to lower the carbon footprint (CF) and GHG emissions, it is imperative to either reduce N fertiliser rates or enhance grain yield and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). To address this challenge, we combined two strategies related to N: (1) a 34% reduction in the total N rate compared to the control (total N rate 108–110 kg N ha−1), and (2) testing two types of N fertilisers for topdressing against the control (common sulfur urea). These types included (a) a mixture comprising controlled-release fertiliser (CRF) combined with ammonium sulfate nitrate fertiliser in a 40:60 ratio (CRF + Nitro) and (b) ammonium sulfate nitrate (Nitro). Experiments were conducted in two distinct areas of Greece specialising in cereal production, aiming to unveil the effects of these strategies on all sustainability aspects of malting barley production. The results showed that although a 34% reduction in N rate did not result in yield penalties or a decrease in grain size, it did have a negative impact on grain protein content (GPC). CRF + Nitro not only reduced CF by approximately 30% compared to the control but also increased N agronomic efficiency by 51.5% and net profit by 7.1%. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the maximum achievable reduction in total GHG emissions and CF, by excluding N fertilisation from the crop system, ranged from 68.5% to 74.3% for GHG emissions and 53.8% to 67.1% for CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the traditional crops currently being newly re-introduced in Slovakia and cultivated for multi-purpose uses, while still there is a lack of crop biomass yield data. The main objective of the paper is to document the yield of aboveground biomass of selected cultivars of hemp ('Bialobrzeskie', 'Felina', 'Santhica', 'Epsilon', and 'Futura'), which were tested in the pilot open-field experiments conducted during 2009 − 2012, immediately after a wave of legislative changes. The trial was agronomically designed including three nitrogen treatments as follows: (i) T1 30 kg N/ha (the full 30 kg/ha in the phenophase BBCH 31), (ii) T2 60 kg N/ha (dividing on 30 + 30 kg/ha in the phenophase BBCH 31 and 51, respectively), and (iii) T3 90 kg N/ha (dividing on 30 + 30 + 30 kg/ha in the phenophase BBCH 31, 51 and 59, respectively); whereas NPK 15-15-15 in the dose of 200 kg/ha was applied before the sowing all across the treatments. The total average dry matter (DM) yield of 9.49 t/ha was achieved, ranging from 2.12 to 16.80 t/ha. DM yield was affected mainly by years (F-ratio 337.40, P-value 0.0000), followed by nitrogen treatment (F-ratio 47.86, P-value 0.0001), then by cultivars (F-ratio 22.37, P-value 0.0019) and finally by replications (F-ratio 0.65, P-value 0.58). However, the need for further studies aimed to quantify more precisely the response of the cultivars to the weather and soil conditions is necessary, especially the cultivars of new and foreign origin.

Cultivar, habitat conditions and agrotechnology have an influence on the yield and chemical composition of rye grain. The main anti-nutritional substances present in rye grain include alkylresorcinols, water-soluble pentosans and trypsin inhibitors. The aim of this study was to determine the variability in yield and the concentration of anti-nutritional compounds in the grain of selected winter rye cultivars in relation to nitrogen fertilisation levels and weather conditions. Field studies were conducted at the Experimental Station of IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland) in two growing seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020). The experiment was located on pseudo-polylic soil using the randomised sub-block method in three replications. The first factor of the experiment was the level of nitrogen fertilisation (0, 70 and 140 kg N∙ha−1) and the second was the population (Dańkowskie Skand, Piastowskie) and hybrid (KWS Vinetto, SU Performer) winter rye cultivars. The study showed that the yield of winter rye depended on the genotype and the level of nitrogen fertilisation. The hybrid cultivars yield ed 17.9% higher in relation to the population cultivars. The content of anti-nutritional compounds in rye grain depended significantly on genotype, level of nitrogen fertilisation and weather conditions. The reason for the higher synthesis of anti-nutrients in rye grain was the stressful weather conditions occurring in the 2019/2020 season. Nitrogen fertilisation influenced the content of alkylresorcinols, water-soluble pentosans and trypsin inhibitor activity in grain. The interaction of cultivar and fertilisation was also found to shape the content of the aforementioned anti-nutrients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the economic efficiency of spring triticale varieties at different levels of production intensity. Three-year field results for the years 2017, 2018 and 2020 were used for the calculations. Factors such as tillage methods (conventional and reduced tillage), varying levels of nitrogen fertilisation (0, 70 and 100 kg N/ha) and varieties – Sopot and Milewo – were included in the analysis. Direct surplus was used as a measure of economic efficiency. The economic efficiency of spring triticale cultivation was assessed taking into account the use of one of the main production factors, i.e. land. For individual variants of the experiment, the gross profitability index was calculated as the ratio of production value to direct costs. The analysis of the production-economic indices showed that the technology with the use of traditional tillage (plough) and a nitrogen fertilisation rate of 70 kg N/ha were the more favourable variant for spring triticale cultivation. It was also found that the level of obtained direct surplus was more influenced by the level of obtained yields and purchase prices of triticale than by the level of direct costs incurred for tillage and sowing operations.

The effect of three fungicide treatment programmes and the level of spring nitrogen fertilisation on the seed yield of two types of cultivars of Brassica napus L. sown at two different seeding rates was studied in a field experiment. The subject of the study was an open-pollinated cultivar ‘Casoar’ and a restored hybrid cultivar ‘Visby’. Three plant protection programmes, two levels of spring nitrogen fertilisation (160 and 220 kg N⋅ha¹), and two different seeding rates for each cultivar (‘Visby’—50 and 70 seeds⋅⋅m²; ‘Casoar’—60 and 80 seeds⋅m²) were included. The most intensive protection programme comprised three fungicide treatments: first in autumn at the six-leaves-unfolded stage—BBCH 16, second in spring at the stem elongation stage—BBCH 33, and third at the full flowering stage—BBCH 65. One of two less intensive programmes of plant protection included fungicide application in autumn at the six-leaves-unfolded stage—BBCH 16 and at the full flowering stage—BBCH 65, while the second included fungicide application in spring at the stem elongation stage—BBCH 33 and at the full flowering stage—BBCH 65. The effectiveness of the protection programmes and nitrogen fertilisation was influenced by the intensity of abiotic stress factors. The average yield from the plots protected against pathogens was significantly higher than that from the untreated plots. The increase of nitrogen fertilisation from 160 to 220 kg⋅ha¹ also caused a significant increase of average seed yield. The yield of cultivar ‘Visby’ was higher and less dependent on the seeding rate compared to cultivar ‘Casoar’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our economic analysis aimed to evaluate the profitability of winter bread wheat production based on two fundamental aspects. The first was the grainprotein content as a criterion for determining grain prices. The other was a comparative simulation of production profitability relying on grain production costs in 2015 and 2022. We used the results of a field experiment conducted in 2014 and 2015 involving winter bread wheat fertilised with nitrogen applied at progressive increments of 40 kg N ha−1 within arange from 0 to 240 N ha−1 with or without fungicide protection. We assumed that experimental factors significantly affected both the yield and the market value of grain, and hence the profitability conditioned by wheat prices on global markets. The working hypothesis of this paper is: wheat production profitability has not changed in the face of a global energy crisis. Our analysis shows that growing bread wheat generates profit when inputs are high: these inputs include high nitrogen rates and full crop protection. The real grain selling price guarantees production profitability. We should consider that, in the circumstances of a global energy crisis, the world should possibly switch to baking products from low-protein flour. Only upon such an assumption can the expenditure on fertilisers and fungicides be significantly reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) fertilisers used in barley production serve as the primary contributors to total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, to lower the carbon footprint (CF) and GHG emissions, it is imperative to either reduce N fertiliser rates or enhance grain yield and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). To address this challenge, we combined two strategies related to N: (1) a 34% reduction in the total N rate compared to the control (total N rate 108–110 kg N ha−1), and (2) testing two types of N fertilisers for topdressing against the control (common sulfur urea). These types included (a) a mixture comprising controlled-release fertiliser (CRF) combined with ammonium sulfate nitrate fertiliser in a 40:60 ratio (CRF + Nitro) and (b) ammonium sulfate nitrate (Nitro). Experiments were conducted in two distinct areas of Greece specialising in cereal production, aiming to unveil the effects of these strategies on all sustainability aspects of malting barley production. The results showed that although a 34% reduction in N rate did not result in yield penalties or a decrease in grain size, it did have a negative impact on grain protein content (GPC). CRF + Nitro not only reduced CF by approximately 30% compared to the control but also increased N agronomic efficiency by 51.5% and net profit by 7.1%. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the maximum achievable reduction in total GHG emissions and CF, by excluding N fertilisation from the crop system, ranged from 68.5% to 74.3% for GHG emissions and 53.8% to 67.1% for CF.

Several new bermudagrass cultivars are available and commonly used on golf course fairways. However, little is known about their cultural requirements or how these cultivars perform under lower inputs regimes. A 2‐year study was conducted at University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, to assess performance of four hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. X Cynodon transvaalensis (Burtt‐Davy)] cultivars ('Latitude 36', 'Tifway 419', 'TifGrand' and 'TifTuf'), and 2 common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) cultivars ('Bimini' and 'Celebration') irrigated at either 50% or 80% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and fertilised at either 0, 146, 244, or 342 kg N ha−1 year−1. Plots were evaluated monthly for turfgrass quality, dark green colour index (DGCI), normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), and Chlorophyll Index, and seasonally for N tissue content. Plots watered at 80% ETo enhanced bermudagrass quality compared to 50% ETo, DGCI and NDVI only in two months out of 24. Latitude 36 and Celebration were the top‐rated cultivars, and their quality was not affected by no N fertilisation. Conversely, TifGrand, TifTuf and Tifway that received no N fertilisation resulted in insufficient quality during the second year of the study. Insufficient quality may be linked to reduced N metabolization compared to the highest rated cultivars. Results show that new cultivars such as Latitude 36 and Bimini could be maintained at sufficient quality levels with reduced water and N inputs in South Florida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental context: Rice is a staple diet for many people worldwide. Rice accumulates arsenic naturally from soils and is thought to cause straighthead disease. This disease causes sterility in rice resulting in a lack of grain formation and hence the head of the rice remains upright at maturity. Rationale: Rice is inherently efficient at accumulating arsenic (As) due to it being grown under anaerobic conditions. Arsenic in rice plants can pose a significant risk to human health. In this study we aim to determine if two agronomic practices, i.e. straw and nitrogen addition to rice paddies, influence the bioavailability of different As species within the soil and their incorporation in the various components of the rice plant and whether these practices lead to straighthead disease. Methodology: A field trial was conducted to grow commercially grown rice varieties with the application of wheat straw and nitrogen individually and in combination. Results: The incorporation of straw into the soil resulted in the formation of dimethyl arsenic (DMA) and an increase of As content in the grain as DMA. DMA accumulated linearly with total As concentration in the grain to become the major As species, whereas inorganic arsenic (Asi) plateaued at 0.2 µg g−1. Discussion: Rice plants cannot control the accumulation and distribution of DMA within the plant, and DMA uptake increases the severity of straighthead disease. The plants with straighthead disease recorded higher DMA concentrations in the husks and leaves when compared to healthy plants. This study showed that rice has some capacity to control Asi concentrations in the grain, whereas DMA accumulation is unregulated. Straw incorporation into soil promotes DMA formation and uptake into rice; this agronomic practice should be avoided. Environmental context. Rice is a staple diet for many people worldwide. Rice accumulates arsenic naturally from soils and is thought to cause straighthead disease. This disease causes sterility in rice resulting in a lack of grain formation and hence the head of the rice remains upright at maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Festuca rubra L. is a good competitive species that makes up the floristic structure of temporary meadows and that are used for grazing or mixed use (haymaking field – grassland) together with Festuca pratensis L., Phleum pratense L., Poa pratense L., Trifolium repens L. and Lotus corniculatus L. The paper aims at pointing out the evolution of the floristic composition of the vegetal cover in different mixtures based on (creeping) red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), Dutch / white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). Analysis of mean results concerning the structure of the floristic composition of mixtures based on Festuca rubra L. (60%) shows that in all 9 types of mixtures there was balance between the degree of participation of (creeping) red fescue and the share of the other two legume species studied. In the control variants, in the two simple mixtures, the share of Dutch / white clover was 48% and that of bird’s-foot trefoil was 44%. These values decreased, on the average, with 10% when applying a rate of N50 and with 14% when applying a rate of N100. In the complex mixture, there was a mean value of the degree of participation of the two species of legumes of 46% (with a higher share of the bird’s-foot trefoil) in the control variant, of 34% in the variant treated with N50 and of 30% in the variant treated with N100.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), used as fodder, has some favourable features: high longevity, resistance to drought and to soil conditions (acidity, alkalinity), cultivable pure or associated with different grassland species, quick recovery after mowing or grazing, high degree of consumability, high nutritive value. Research shows that chicory, sowed pure or in association with legume species or with grassland grasses, produces daily, depending on vegetation duration, important amounts of green matter, i.e. between 120 and 280 kg/day/ha without or with nitrogen fertilisation (N150).

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Simple Summary: In 2020 and 2021, the world underwent the COVID-19 crisis, and in 2022, it is going through another war crisis. These crises have greatly affected the global economy and raw material supply chains, and trade is either disabled or very slow. The wood industry and other industries that depend on primary raw materials feel this effect strongly. These are important reasons why the wood industry should not depend on only one market and why it is necessary to study less valuable types of wood species as potential substitutes for the current ones, at least in products where this is possible due to their characteristics. Fertilising forested plantations with nitrogen fertilisers is not new, but its influence on different types of wood species has not been sufficiently investigated. Fast-growing clones are particularly interesting for such a procedure. This paper studies the effect of fertilisation with nitrogen fertilisers on the anatomical properties of the Poplar clone 'Villafranca'. This study investigates the effect of nitrogen fertilisation on the anatomical properties of the juvenile wood of the Populus alba L. clone 'Villafranca' from an experimental trial near the Drava River in Croatia. Nitrogen was applied for two consecutive years, and the immediate and potential post-treatment effects were investigated. The correlation between annual ring width (ARW) and individual wood anatomical properties was also examined. The fertilisation effect was confirmed after the first year of nitrogen application for all wood anatomical properties except the vessel lumen area (VLA). Fibre length (FL) was reduced, and double cell wall thickness (DCWT), ray area (RA), and cell wall area (CWA) increased. In contrast, the vessel lumen diameter (VLD) and vessel lumen area changed inconsistently between treatments. The second year of nitrogen application was determined to be effective for FL only. Due to the insignificant results in the second year of the application of nitrogen, the post-fertilisation effect of nitrogen fertilisation was not confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomic factors can affect mycotoxin contamination of maize, one of the most produced cereals. Maize is usually harvested at 18% moisture, but it is not microbiologically stable until it reaches 14% moisture at the drying plants. We studied how three agronomic factors (crop diversification, tillage system and nitrogen fertilization rate) can affect fungal and mycotoxin contamination (deoxynivalenol and fumonisins B1 and B2) in maize at harvest. In addition, changes in maize during a simulated harvest-till-drying period were studied. DON content at harvest was higher for maize under intensive tillage than using direct drilling (2695 and 474 μg kg−1, respectively). We found two reasons for this: (i) soil crusting in intensive tillage plots caused the formation of pools of water that created high air humidity conditions, favouring the development of DON-producing moulds; (ii) the population of Lumbricus terrestris, an earthworm that would indirectly minimize fungal infection and mycotoxin production on maize kernels, is reduced in intensive tillage plots. Therefore, direct drilling is a better approach than intensive tillage for both preventing DON contamination and preserving soil quality. Concerning the simulated harvest-till-drying period, DON significantly increased between storage days 0 and 5. Water activity dropped on the 4th day, below the threshold for DON production (around 0.91). From our perspective, this study constitutes a step forward towards understanding the relationships between agronomic factors and mycotoxin contamination in maize, and towards improving food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of long-term N and P fertilisation on soil organic nitrogen (SON) turnover are unclear. We sampled soils fertilised by N and/or P since 1843 at Rothamsted Research to investigate the effects of long-term N and P fertilisation on high- or low-molecular-weight SON decomposition and gross N mineralisation. Short-term assays with added 14C-labelled proteins, peptides, and amino acids and gross organic N mineralisation were measured, and the microbial communities and functions were also assessed in parallel. Long-term N fertilisation increased the contents of soil extractable organic N and peptides but decreased organic N-hydrolysing enzyme activities (N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and leucine aminopeptidase). Fertilisation with P and N accelerated and reduced the decomposition of 14C-labelled organic N compounds, respectively. The decomposition of peptides and amino acids, as labile SON components, was mainly regulated by soil P content because microbial biomass and activity were more sensitive to P fertilisation than to N fertilisation. Gross NH 4 +/NO 3 − production and consumption were accelerated by 41%–60% under N fertilisation but remained unchanged under P fertilisation compared to the unfertilised treatment. Metagenomic sequencing showed that N fertilisation increased microbial diversity and enriched functional genes associated with organic N decomposition, compared to the unfertilised treatment. P fertilisation had no effect on the abundance of these functional genes. In agricultural practices, it is essential to comprehensively consider the interaction between N and P fertilisation to optimise the cycling and utilisation of SON. [Display omitted] • Effects of N and P fertilisation on soil N in the Rothamsted Experiment were tested. • Added N regulated soluble protein decomposition. • Added P regulated peptide and amino acid decomposition. • Long-term N fertilisation enriched genes involved in soil organic N decomposition. • Gross N mineralisation was accelerated by N fertilisation but not by P fertilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subarctic regions are particularly affected by global warming. As vegetation periods lengthen, boreal forests could gradually be converted into agricultural land. How land use alters the susceptibility of soil organic matter decomposition to rising temperatures or how changes in nutrient availability, such as nitrogen (N) fertilisation, affect carbon (C) cycling is unknown. Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) defines how much of the decomposed soil organic carbon is directed to growth or lost to the atmosphere. Here, we investigated the response of CUE (24 h) and soil organic matter decomposition (50 days) to + 10 °C warming and N addition in three subarctic soils derived from paired plots (forest, grassland, cropland) in the Yukon, Canada. Contrary to our literature-based expectations, boreal forest soils did not demonstrate the most sensitive response to warming and N addition. Temperature sensitivity was not affected by land-use type. In contrast to a generally assumed decline, short-term warming increased CUE by + 30%, which was positively correlated with microbial growth. N addition reduced overall CUE by − 7%, in contrast to the expectation that CUE would rise due to the alleviation of nutrient limitations. The response to N addition was negatively correlated with the ratio of fungi to bacteria, and presumably depended on the prevailing N-fertilisation regime. The temperature sensitivity of microbial metabolism was driven by site-specific parameters rather than by land-use type. Our results indicate that it may not be necessary to consider land use-specific temperature sensitivities when modelling soil organic carbon dynamics under future climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are routinely applied to bananas (Musa spp.) to increase production but may exacerbate plant diseases like Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), which is the most economically important disease. Here, we characterized the effects of N rate and form on banana plant growth, root proteome, bacterial and fungal diversity in the rhizosphere, the concentration of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) in the soil, and the FWB severity. Banana plants (Musa subgroup ABB) were grown under greenhouse conditions in soil with ammonium or nitrate supplemented at five N rates, and with or without inoculation with Foc. The growth of non-inoculated plants was positively correlated with the N rate. In bananas inoculated with Foc, disease severity increased with the N rate, resulting in the Foc-inoculated plant growth being greatest at intermediate N rates. The abundance of Foc in the soil was weakly related to the treatment conditions and was a poor predictor of disease severity. Fungal diversity was consistently affected by Foc inoculation, while bacterial diversity was associated with changes in soil pH resulting from N addition, in particular ammonium. N rate altered the expression of host metabolic pathways associated with carbon fixation, energy usage, amino acid metabolism, and importantly stress response signaling, irrespective of inoculation or N form. Furthermore, in diseased plants, Pathogenesis-related protein 1, a key endpoint for biotic stress response and the salicylic acid defense response to biotrophic pathogens, was negatively correlated with the rate of ammonium fertilizer but not nitrate. As expected, inoculation with Foc altered the expression of a wide range of processes in the banana plant including those of defense and growth. In summary, our results indicate that the severity of FWB was negatively associated with host defenses, which was influenced by N application (particularly ammonium), and shifts in microbial communities associated with ammonium-induced acidification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the research reported here was to determine the effect of Azofix and Maxprolin against nitrogen fertiliser on mineral nitrogen content in the soil during the period of intensive growth of spring wheat plants and after its harvest. The following two factors were chosen: I. Biological products: control, Azofix, Maxprolin, Azofix + Maxprolin; II. Nitrogen fertilisation: non-fertilised control, 60 kg N ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1, 90 kg N ha-1 + foliar fertilisation. During the period of intensive growth of spring wheat plants and after harvesting, mineral nitrogen content in the soil was determined. The research demonstrated that, during the period of their intensive growth, spring wheat plants had access to the largest amount of mineral nitrogen in the topsoil following treatment with Azofix + Maxprolin and an application of the nitrogen rate of 90 kg N ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) application rates (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 and 375 kg ha−1) on total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield, dry matter content, reducing sugar content, sucrose content and fry colour index of two potato cultivars (Kennebec and Shepody) in 2016 and 2017. Nitrogen application significantly affected the yield and processing quality of tubers. Total and marketable tuber yields responded quadratically to N application and 173–197 kg ha−1 N fertiliser application was required to achieve the maximum marketable yield for Kennebec and 232–312 kg ha−1 for Shepody based on 2-year average data. The processing quality of tubers also responded quadratically with increasing N application rate. The optimal N application rate (Nopt) required to obtain the highest quality of French-fried potatoes ranged from 98 to 200 kg ha −1 N for Kennebec and from 123 to 205 kg ha−1 for Shepody. These results indicated that the choice of N application rate requires a compromise between tuber yield and processing quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinones, redox-active functional groups in soil organic matter, can act as electron shuttles for microbial anaerobic transformation. Here, we used 13CH4 to trace 13C conversion (13C-CO2 + 13C-SOC) to investigate the influence of an artificial electron shuttle (anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate, AQDS) on denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) in paddy soil. The results showed that AQDS could act as the terminal electron acceptor for the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in the paddy field. Moreover, AQDS significantly enhanced nitrate-dependent AOM rates and the amount of 13C-CH4 assimilation to soil organic carbon (SOC), whereas it was remarkably reduced nitrite-dependent AOM rates and 13C assimilation. Ultimately, AQDS notably increased the total DAMO rates and 13C assimilation to SOC. However, the electron shuttle did not change the percentage of 13C-SOC in total 13C-CH4 conversion. These results suggest that electron shuttles in the natural organic matter might be able to offset methane emission by facilitating AOM coupled with the denitrification process.

Production traits and grain quality of spring malting barley as the major raw material in malt and beer production were evaluated over a period of three years (2012–2014) in the region of Požarevac, Serbia. Four cultivars of two-rowed spring barley released in the Republic of Serbia (‘Novosadski 448’, ‘Novosadski 456’, ‘Dunavac’ and ‘Jadran’) were used. The objective of this research was to assess variability in grain yield and yield components in genetically divergent cultivars of two-rowed spring barley grown at different nitrogen application rates, as dependent on precipitation and air temperature during the growing season. The results showed significant variations in grain yield, yield components and grain protein content across genotypes (G), N application rates (N) and experimental years (E). Significant interdependence was found between grain yield and yield components. Increasing the N application rate up to 135 kg/ha had a positive effect on grain yield, plant height, number of spikes per unit area, spike length and grain protein content. Number of grains per spike and 1,000-kernel weight increased significantly at N application rates up to 105 kg/ha and 75 kg/ha, respectively.

The feasibility of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) as a substitute for mineral nitrogen (N) fertiliser was tested for a spring-summer (i.e., processing tomato) and an autumn-winter (i.e., cauliflower) vegetable crop grown in Mediterranean open field conditions. Two different doses (10 and 20 t dm C ha–1) and two distribution timings for each dose (i.e., early application at about nine months before processing tomato transplanting and five months before cauliflower transplanting: C10_early and C20_early; late application at about one month before processing tomato and cauliflower transplanting: C10_late and C20_late) were compared in a two-year field experiment. An unfertilised control and a 100% mineral N fertilisation (MIN, 200 kg N ha–1 for processing tomato and 150 kg N ha–1 for cauliflower) were added to the experiment. The application of MSWC significantly reduced the aboveground DM accumulation compared to the MIN in both crops, and it was inadequate to ensure a high yield for spring-summer and autumn-winter vegetables. However, the timing of compost application seems to play an essential role in reducing the reduction of crop growth due to compost application. In both tomato and cauliflower, when the MSWC was applied a few months earlier than the transplanting (i.e., in the previous summer in tomato and the previous spring in cauliflower), the DM and yield reduction was less apparent than in soil where compost was applied immediately before transplanting. Despite the lowest N-uptake associated with the MSWC application, the N-NO3 concentration in the soil solution was reduced by MSWC. In addition to the amendment effect, compost use may positively impact lowering N leaching risks in the groundwater. Combining the use of MSWC applied early before the crop season with mineral N fertiliser, it is possible to gain high yield, increase soil organic carbon and reduce groundwater contamination risk both in spring-summer and autumn-winter vegetable crops. Highlights - Biowaste compost decreased the aboveground biomass accumulation and yield in processing tomato and cauliflower. - Biowaste compost alone did not meet the N requirement in processing tomato and cauliflower. - Biowaste compost distribution in the summer before the processing tomato growing season alleviated its depressive effect in reducing DM and yield. - Biowaste compost distribution in the spring before the cauliflower growing season alleviated its depressive effect in reducing DM and yield. - Biowaste compost decreased the N-NO3 concentration in soil solution compared to mineral fertilisation with a positive effect in reducing N leaching risks in the groundwater.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N) application combined with cotton stalk or its biochar on soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions and enzyme activity. The field experiment was conducted over three cropping seasons with three organic C treatments and three N application rates. Three organic C treatments were set as no organic C amended (CK), cotton stalk (ST), cotton stalk biochar (BC). Three N applied at rates of 0, 300, and 450 kg N ha−1 (N0, N300, and N450, respectively). Results showed that N fertilisation alone reduced dissolved organic C (DOC) and N450 reduced easily oxidisable organic C (EOC) in 2015–2016. Microbial biomass C (MBC) basal soil respiration (BSR), β-glucosidase activity (BG), and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity (NAG) activity in N450 were greater than in N0. On average, SOC was 13.4% −36.6% greater in ST and 23.7–59.2% greater in BC than that in CK. ST and BC increased soil organic C fractions, MBC and non-labile organic C (non-LOC) were greater in BC than in ST. BC decreased soil DOC/TOC, EOC/TOC ratios, increased soil non-LOC/TOC ratio and cotton yield, ST increased the ratios of labile C and enzymes activity in soil. Therefore, integrating 300 kg ha−1 N fertilisation with biochar is an optimising management strategy to promote C sequestration and sustain the crop productivity in a drip-irrigated cotton field.

The feasibility of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) as a substitute for mineral nitrogen (N) fertiliser was tested for a spring-summer (i.e., processing tomato) and an autumn-winter (i.e., cauliflower) vegetable crop grown in Mediterranean open field conditions. Two different doses (10 and 20 t dm C ha-1) and two distribution timings for each dose (i.e., early application at about nine months before processing tomato transplanting and five months before cauliflower transplanting: C10_early and C20_early; late application at about one month before processing tomato and cauliflower transplanting: C10_late and C20_late) were compared in a two-year field experiment. An unfertilised control and a 100% mineral N fertilisation (MIN, 200 kg N ha-1 for processing tomato and 150 kg N ha-1 for cauliflower) were added to the experiment. The application of MSWC significantly reduced the aboveground DM accumulation compared to the MIN in both crops, and it was inadequate to ensure a high yield for spring-summer and autumn-winter vegetables. However, the timing of compost application seems to play an essential role in reducing the reduction of crop growth due to compost application. In both tomato and cauliflower, when the MSWC was applied a few months earlier than the transplanting (i.e., in the previous summer in tomato and the previous spring in cauliflower), the DM and yield reduction was less apparent than in soil where compost was applied immediately before transplanting. Despite the lowest N-uptake associated with the MSWC application, the N-NO3 concentration in the soil solution was reduced by MSWC. In addition to the amendment effect, compost use may positively impact lowering N leaching risks in the groundwater. Combining the use of MSWC applied early before the crop season with mineral N fertiliser, it is possible to gain high yield, increase soil organic carbon and reduce groundwater contamination risk both in spring-summer and autumn-winter vegetable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern) cultivation is suggested for regions with short seasons and low rainfall. Although there have been many studies conducted on agronomic production of mustard in Iran, the information regarding the interactive impact of cropping seasons and nitrogen fertiliser on growth characteristics and yield quality of mustard plant is still insufficient and requires further investigation. This study focused on the possible implications of different cropping seasons and different nitrogen levels on selected agronomic traits in mustard. In this experiment, five different doses of nitrogen and two sowing periods were used to assess for their combined effects on the growth parameters, seed yield and agronomic characteristics of mustard in the semi-arid climatic conditions of Takestan. The results revealed that cultivation seasons and nitrogen rates had a significant effect on plant height, biomass yield, number of siliques per plant, seed oil content and seed yield.

Soil microbial diversity is huge and a few grams of soil contain more bacterial taxa than there are bird species on Earth. This high diversity often makes predicting the responses of soil bacteria to environmental change intractable and restricts our capacity to predict the responses of soil functions to global change. Here, using a long-term field experiment in a California grassland, we studied the main and interactive effects of three global change factors (increased atmospheric CO2 concentration, precipitation and nitrogen addition, and all their factorial combinations, based on global change scenarios for central California) on the potential activity, abundance and dominant taxa of soil nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Using a trait-based model, we then tested whether categorizing NOB into a few functional groups unified by physiological traits enables understanding and predicting how soil NOB respond to global environmental change. Contrasted responses to global change treatments were observed between three main NOB functional types. In particular, putatively mixotrophic Nitrobacter, rare under most treatments, became dominant under the 'High CO2+Nitrogen+Precipitation' treatment. The mechanistic trait-based model, which simulated ecological niches of NOB types consistent with previous ecophysiological reports, helped predicting the observed effects of global change on NOB and elucidating the underlying biotic and abiotic controls. Our results are a starting point for representing the overwhelming diversity of soil bacteria by a few functional types that can be incorporated into models of terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical processes.

Methanotrophs contribute significantly to methane consumption in paddy ecosystems. Currently, the biogeographical distribution and regulation of methanotrophs in Chinese paddy soils remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the activity, abundance and community structure of methanotrophs in paddy soils from different geographical regions and three climate zones across China, with a total of 20 sampling sites. The results showed that the methanotrophic activity and pmoA gene abundance varied from 0.67 to 2.23 μmol CH4 g−1 (dry soil) h−1 and 1.39 × 105 to 1.03 × 107 copies g−1 dry soil, respectively, and the methanotrophic communities were dominated by Methylocystis (type II). Heterogeneously distributed methanotrophic communities were observed among different climate zones characterised by a significant variation of the relative abundance of Methylococcus (type I). Furthermore, high and intermediate rates of nitrogen (N) fertilisation showed a significantly lower methanotrophic activity than the low rates of N fertilisation. However, no significant variation of methanotrophic abundance or community composition was observed among different N fertilisation levels. In addition, the soil ammonium content, water content, clay content, salinity, pH, mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature was identified as the key factors affecting the activity, abundance and community composition of methanotrophs. Overall, our results showed the biogeographical distribution of methanotrophs in Chinese paddy soils, which can be largely influenced by climate conditions, N fertilisation rates and soil physiochemical properties. Highlights: Activity and abundance of methanotrophs varied greatly across Chinese paddy fields.Methanotrophic community varied substantially across different climate zones.Higher rates of N fertilization could decrease methanotrophic activity.Soil properties (like NH4+, pH and moisture) significantly affected methanotrophs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total nitrogen (N) content in aboveground biomass (N-uptake) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as measured in a national monitoring programme was scaled up to full spatial coverage using Sentinel-2 satellite data and implemented in a decision support system (DSS) for precision agriculture. Weekly field measurements of N-uptake had been carried out using a proximal canopy reflectance sensor (handheld Yara N-Sensor) during 2017 and 2018. Sentinel-2 satellite data from two processing levels (top-of-atmosphere reflectance, L1C, and bottom-of-atmosphere reflectance, L2A) were extracted and related to the proximal sensor data (n = 251). The utility of five vegetation indices for estimation of N-uptake was compared. A linear model based on the red-edge chlorophyll index (CI) provided the best N-uptake prediction (L1C data: r2 = 0.74, mean absolute error; MAE = 14 kg ha−1) when models were applied on independent sites and dates. Use of L2A data, rather than L1C, did not improve the prediction models. The CI-based prediction model was applied on all fields in an area with intensive winter wheat production. Statistics on N-uptake at the end of the stem elongation growth stage were calculated for 4169 winter wheat fields > 5 ha. Within-field variation in predicted N-uptake was > 30 kg N ha−1 in 62% of these fields. Predicted N-uptake was compared against N-uptake maps derived from tractor-borne Yara N-Sensor measurements in 13 fields (1.7–30 ha in size). The model based on satellite data generated similar information as the tractor-borne sensing data (r2 = 0.81; MAE = 7 kg ha−1), and can therefore be valuable in a DSS for variable-rate N application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies highlight the advantages of intercropping, including the improvement of plant growth, stabilization of yield and reduction of economic and environmental risks common in monoculture systems. The research was carried out over two cropping seasons with different N fertilisation levels to compare winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar 'Wafia' and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivar 'Alfia' cultivated as sole crops or intercropped. The aim of the current study was to evaluate intercrop efficiency using indices such as the land equivalent ratio (LER) and the interspecific (IE) and intraspecific (IA) interaction indices, and to verify whether the wheat and faba bean intercropping improves grain yield, biochemical properties and macronutrient uptake of two cultivars in the systems with low levels of nitrogen (N) inputs. The research results showed that without N input the LER > 1 indicates the most efficient use of environmental resources by intercropping. Without fertilisation, in the 2nd experiment, the IE of soft wheat was equal to 1 indicating that the presence of legume in the intercropping did not affect wheat plant productivity compared to sole crops in half density. However, in the 1st experiment, the presence of the legume was associated with a greater facilitation effect on wheat intercrop (IE > 1) inducing an increase in yield compared to half density. For both experiments, IA of wheat was less than 1 revealing that the wheat yield in half density was higher than that in sole crops in full density. Eventually, the intercrops for both experiments without any N fertiliser increased the protein, sugar, chlorophyll content and nitrate reductase activity of both intercropped species compared to the untreated and treated sole crops. Likewise, the uptake of macronutrients P and K was increased in faba bean intercropped in the 1st and 2nd experiment, respectively, when these elements were less available in the soil. However, Ca content did not show any significant effect. This allows us to conclude that intercropping of soft wheat and faba bean is a relevant way to reduce chemical inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen availability in Buglossoides arvensis mother plants influences seed dormancy level. Abscisic acid (ABA) levels chiefly determine primary dormancy during embryo maturation and its maintenance depends on ABA/gibberellic acid (GA) balance. We hypothesised that soil nitrogen fertilisation of B. arvensis mother plants affects seed sensitivity to hormonal germination promotors and inhibitors. The purpose of the present work was therefore to investigate to what extent the changes that occur in seed germinability as a result of maternal nitrogen fertilisation (with ‐N(+)‐ and without ‐N(−)‐) are paralleled by changes in ABA or GAs de novo synthesis and embryonic sensitivity to ABA or GAs. Seed germinability was assessed under a gradient of ABA and GA3 and their corresponding de novo synthesis inhibitors (fluridone ‐FLU‐ and paclobutrazol ‐PBZ‐). B. arvensis seeds were incubated at suboptimal (7°C), optimal (15°C) and supraoptimal (20°C) temperatures. Results indicated a higher germination of N(+) seeds, irrespective of hormone type, dose or incubation temperature. N(−) seeds were more sensitive to FLU at 7°C and to GA3 at 15°C, whereas N(+) seeds were more sensitive to FLU at 15‐20°C and to PBZ at 7°C. At 20°C, N(+) seed germinability was stimulated by GA3 counteracting the thermo‐inhibitory effect. The higher seed germinability recorded from nitrogen‐fertilised plants could be associated to a decrease in seed dormancy levels due to lower ABA levels during embryogenesis, thus requiring a lower amount of GAs to germinate. Further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the H2020 project FATIMA (FArming Tools for external nutrient Inputs and water MAnagement) an integrated approach for the optimisation of nitrogen management in agriculture was applied. In addition to the technical component, which included the processing of Sentinel-2 satellite data, the socio-economic and agronomic aspects of improved nutrient management were investigated. The results show that farmers are mainly interested in timely application maps for variable-rate nitrogen application. In the course of the project not only a field trial for the validation of satellite data as a basis for an economic analysis was established, but also an online application for site-specific fertilisation based on current and historical satellite images was developed and tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N) application combined with cotton stalk or its biochar on soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions and enzyme activity. The field experiment was conducted over three cropping seasons with three organic C treatments and three N application rates. Three organic C treatments were set as no organic C amended (CK), cotton stalk (ST), cotton stalk biochar (BC). Three N applied at rates of 0, 300, and 450 kg N ha−1 (N0, N300, and N450, respectively). Results showed that N fertilisation alone reduced dissolved organic C (DOC) and N450 reduced easily oxidisable organic C (EOC) in 2015–2016. Microbial biomass C (MBC) basal soil respiration (BSR), β-glucosidase activity (BG), and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity (NAG) activity in N450 were greater than in N0. On average, SOC was 13.4% −36.6% greater in ST and 23.7–59.2% greater in BC than that in CK. ST and BC increased soil organic C fractions, MBC and non-labile organic C (non-LOC) were greater in BC than in ST. BC decreased soil DOC/TOC, EOC/TOC ratios, increased soil non-LOC/TOC ratio and cotton yield, ST increased the ratios of labile C and enzymes activity in soil. Therefore, integrating 300 kg ha−1 N fertilisation with biochar is an optimising management strategy to promote C sequestration and sustain the crop productivity in a drip-irrigated cotton field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to investigate the effect of water and nitrogen (N) availability on the carbon isotope composition of leaf blades, canes and ripe berry must (juice) in field grown grapevines. In two consecutive years, the combination of two irrigation treatments [Irrigation (I): 70 % of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and no irrigation (NI)] and three rates of ammonium nitrate [0 (N0), 60 (N60) and 120 (N120) kg/ha N] were applied to two separate vineyards planted with cv. Xinomavro and cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon respectively in a randomised complete block design. Carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of leaf blades, stem water potential (Ψs), and leaf gas exchange were measured at berry set, bunch closure, veraison and maturity during each growing season. δ13C of bulk berry must at maturity and of dormant canes was also measured. Leaf δ13C and cane δ13C decreased with water supply, but increased with N fertilisation. Must δ13C was lower in the irrigated N0 and N60 vines, whereas irrigation treatments did not differ under the N120 rate. The relative weight of irrigation and fertilisation effect on leaf δ13C varied across samplings: N application accounted for a higher proportion of leaf δ13C variance during the early stages of berry growth, whereas irrigation induced higher variance of leaf δ13C after veraison. The weight of the irrigation effect on cane δ13C was higher from that of fertilisation. Discrimination mechanisms against 13C in grapevine could be mediated by both N fertilisation and irrigation. The well-documented explanation of δ13C variation based on isotopic effects during CO2 diffusion through leaf stomata and carboxylation driven by water conditions may not apply to all cases, since additional discriminating processes against 13C associated with CO2 transfer from the intercellular spaces to the carboxylation sites may be affected by nitrogen supply. The study provides evidence for the first time that carbon isotope composition of leaf blades, canes and berry must is modulated by nitrogen supply. Interpretations of carbon isotope natural abundance in field grown grapevine tissues should therefore consider both water and nitrogen availability.

Our objective was to investigate the effect of water and nitrogen (N) availability on the carbon isotope composition of leaf blades, canes and ripe berry must (juice) in field grown grapevines. In two consecutive years, the combination of two irrigation treatments [Irrigation (I): 70 % of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and no irrigation (NI)] and three rates of ammonium nitrate [0 (N0), 60 (N60) and 120 (N120) kg/ha N] were applied to two separate vineyards planted with cv. Xinomavro and cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon respectively in a randomised complete block design. Carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of leaf blades, stem water potential (Ψs), and leaf gas exchange were measured at berry set, bunch closure, veraison and maturity during each growing season. δ13C of bulk berry must at maturity and of dormant canes was also measured. Leaf δ13C and cane δ13C decreased with water supply, but increased with N fertilisation. Must δ13C was lower in the irrigated N0 and N60 vines, whereas irrigation treatments did not differ under the N120 rate. The relative weight of irrigation and fertilisation effect on leaf δ13C varied across samplings: N application accounted for a higher proportion of leaf δ13C variance during the early stages of berry growth, whereas irrigation induced higher variance of leaf δ13C after veraison. The weight of the irrigation effect on cane δ13C was higher from that of fertilisation. Discrimination mechanisms against 13C in grapevine could be mediated by both N fertilisation and irrigation. The well-documented explanation of δ13C variation based on isotopic effects during CO2 diffusion through leaf stomata and carboxylation driven by water conditions may not apply to all cases, since additional discriminating processes against 13C associated with CO2 transfer from the intercellular spaces to the carboxylation sites may be affected by nitrogen supply. The study provides evidence for the first time that carbon isotope composition of leaf blades, canes and berry must is modulated by nitrogen supply. Interpretations of carbon isotope natural abundance in field grown grapevine tissues should therefore consider both water and nitrogen availability.

Aim: Wine quality is influenced by the nitrogen nutrition of grapevines in the vineyard. A deficiency of this nutrient will affect grape quality, decrease yeast available nitrogen (YAN) and influence alcoholic fermentation. Chasselas wines from nitrogen-deficient grapes (YAN < 140 mg N/L) are systematically more astringent and bitter and less fruity than those from grapes with higher YAN content (Spring et al., 2014). The aim of this study was to identify chemical markers in wine linked to nitrogen deficiencies in the vineyard. Methods and results: Wine samples produced from grapes growing in nitrogen-deficient vineyards with nitrogen treatment (HN) and without it (LN) were used over four consecutive years (2006–2009). They were all analysed at the same time (2012) with electronic-nose, GC-MS and UHPLC-TOFMS techniques. A metabolomics approach was used for a comprehensive survey of volatile and nonvolatile compounds in order to identify markers related to nitrogen nutrition. Volatile markers with alcohol and ester functions and nitrogen-containing compounds were found and tentatively identified by GC-MS. Additionally, 16 nonvolatile markers were putatively identified by UHPLC-TOFMS, including compounds from diverse chemical classes, namely, amino acids, vitamins, hormones, organic acids, phenolic compounds and polysaccharides. Conclusion: The nitrogen nutrition of grapevines has a clear but complex effect on the chemical composition of wine. Several markers were tentatively identified and their role in wine composition discussed according to the actual knowledge reported in the literature. Significance of the study: This study is an important starting point for selecting the most relevant chemical markers in wine, and for determining whether organoleptic problems are related to nitrogen nutrition deficiency in the vineyard and changes in vineyard management are needed.

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Most of the world's sugar is produced from a semi-perennial plant whose root system, although being one key to its success, remains poorly understood. In this study, we sought to describe how nitrogen fertilisation is likely to affect the development of the sugarcane root system and can have significant agronomic implications. We studied sugarcane root distribution, root biomass production and root N accumulation from soil cores sampled down to a depth of 1 m throughout the growth cycle of a ratoon crop in a 144 kgN ha−1 year fertilised plot and at crop harvest in six ratoon plots with fertilisation ranging from 0 to 330 kgN ha−1 year. The development of the root system in the fertilised sugarcane plot showed 1/homogeneous colonization of the topsoil by fine roots from the early phase, followed by 2/a progressive development of thicker roots mainly localised under the sugarcane row. The results suggested that nitrogen fertilisation could reduce root density in the topsoil layer. The root-to-shoot ratio of biomass and N mass decreased, respectively, from 2.1 to 0.3 and from 1.2 to 0.7 throughout an annual crop growth cycle in a fertilised plot. When sugarcane was not fertilised, an increase of 70% root biomass was observed as compared to fertilised sugarcane. In addition, approximately half of the cane N mass was found in the root compartment of the non-fertilised crop. The root system of sugarcane appeared to be a major pool of N that should be considered in studies dealing with fertiliser N use efficiency and N cycling in sugarcane agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]