TY - JOUR

T1 - Optimizing foliar N-fertilization in sugarcane depends on plant genotype and nitrogen concentration

AU - Quassi de Castro, Saulo Augusto

AU - Sermarini, Renata Alcarde

AU - Rossi, Monica Lanzoni

AU - Linhares de Castro, Renata Rebellato

AU - Trivelin, Paulo Cesar Ocheuze

AU - Linhares, Francisco Scaglia

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Foliar N-fertilization (FNf) has emerged as a promising approach to synchronize plant nitrogen (N) demands and application timing, reducing the N losses to the environment associated with traditional soil-based fertilization methods. However, limited information exists regarding the effectiveness of FNf in sugarcane. This study aimed to optimize FNf in sugarcane by evaluating N-fertilizer recovery by the plant (NRP) and assessing potential toxicity effects. Four sugarcane genotypes were subjected to FNf using 15N-urea at five nitrogen concentrations. NRP was assessed at five time points for roots, stalk, old leaves, 15N-urea-fertilized leaves (15NL), and unexpanded leaves (UEL). Leaf scorching, indicating FNf toxicity, was analyzed using morpho-anatomical and histochemical techniques. The results showed that FNf promoted high NRP, with an average recovery of 62.3%. Surprisingly, the redistribution of 15N-urea did not follow the nitrogen uptake rate by sugarcane leaves, with an average of 41.3% of the total-NRP. The stalk emerged as the primary sink for 15N-urea, followed by the UEL. Genotypes differed in the leaf scorching intensity, which increased with higher concentration of 15N-urea. Genotypes also differed in the 15N-urea uptake rate, down-regulated by the N content in the 15NL. These findings emphasize that by carefully choosing the appropriate genotype and nitrogen concentration, FNf can significantly enhance N-fertilizer uptake, resulting in potential environmental and economic benefits.

AB - Foliar N-fertilization (FNf) has emerged as a promising approach to synchronize plant nitrogen (N) demands and application timing, reducing the N losses to the environment associated with traditional soil-based fertilization methods. However, limited information exists regarding the effectiveness of FNf in sugarcane. This study aimed to optimize FNf in sugarcane by evaluating N-fertilizer recovery by the plant (NRP) and assessing potential toxicity effects. Four sugarcane genotypes were subjected to FNf using 15N-urea at five nitrogen concentrations. NRP was assessed at five time points for roots, stalk, old leaves, 15N-urea-fertilized leaves (15NL), and unexpanded leaves (UEL). Leaf scorching, indicating FNf toxicity, was analyzed using morpho-anatomical and histochemical techniques. The results showed that FNf promoted high NRP, with an average recovery of 62.3%. Surprisingly, the redistribution of 15N-urea did not follow the nitrogen uptake rate by sugarcane leaves, with an average of 41.3% of the total-NRP. The stalk emerged as the primary sink for 15N-urea, followed by the UEL. Genotypes differed in the leaf scorching intensity, which increased with higher concentration of 15N-urea. Genotypes also differed in the 15N-urea uptake rate, down-regulated by the N content in the 15NL. These findings emphasize that by carefully choosing the appropriate genotype and nitrogen concentration, FNf can significantly enhance N-fertilizer uptake, resulting in potential environmental and economic benefits.

KW - labeled nitrogen

KW - leaf scorching

KW - nitrogen recovery

KW - sugarcane varieties

KW - urea

U2 - 10.1111/ppl.14085

DO - 10.1111/ppl.14085

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38148209

AN - SCOPUS:85177445646

VL - 175

JO - Physiologia Plantarum

JF - Physiologia Plantarum

SN - 0031-9317

IS - 6

M1 - e14085

ER -