Journal article
Characterizing nitrogen use efficiency in natural and agricultural ecosystems to improve the performance of cereal crops in low-input and organic agricultural systems
Field crops research, Vol.107(2), pp.89-101
2008
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/108662
Abstract
Low-input and organic farming systems have notable differences in nitrogen (N) sources, cycling and management strategies compared to conventional systems with high inputs of synthetic N fertilizer. In low-input and organic systems, there is greater reliance on complex rotations including annual and perennial crops, organic N sources, and internal N cycling that more closely mimic natural systems. These differences in farming system practices fundamentally affect N availability and N use efficiency (NUE) and could impact crop traits and breeding strategies required to optimize NUE. We assess genetic and environmental factors that could assist breeders in improving crop performance in low-input and organic farming systems by examining NUE in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Crop plants have often been bred for high N productivity, while plants adapted to low N ecosystems often have lower productivity and higher levels of internal N conservation. Breeders can potentially combine N productivity and N conservation through the use of elite and wild germplasm. Beneficial genetic traits include the ability to maintain photosynthesis and N uptake under N stress and the ability to extract soil N at low concentrations, perhaps through beneficial associations with soil microorganisms. In addition, breeding for specific adaptation to climactic and management practices so that crop uptake patterns match N availability patterns, while minimizing pathways of N loss, will be critical to improving NUE.
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Details
- Title
- Characterizing nitrogen use efficiency in natural and agricultural ecosystems to improve the performance of cereal crops in low-input and organic agricultural systems
- Creators
- Julie C Dawson - 291 Johnson Hall, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Washington State University, WA 99164-6420, United StatesDavid R Huggins - USDA-ARS, Land Management and Water Conservation Research Unit, 215 Johnson Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, United StatesStephen S Jones - 291 Johnson Hall, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Washington State University, WA 99164-6420, United States
- Publication Details
- Field crops research, Vol.107(2), pp.89-101
- Academic Unit
- Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 99900547485901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article