Nitrogen Use Efficiency

09.01.2025

Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Why in the news?              

             Researchers have demonstrated that reducing nitric oxide (NO) levels in plants can significantly improve nitrogen uptake and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in rice and Arabidopsis.

About Nitrogen Use Efficiency:

• It is a term that is used to describe the efficiency of a plant in using applied or fixed nitrogen for biomass production.
• It is further defined as the ratio between crop yield and the amount of nitrogen absorbed from the soil through roots or from the atmosphere through fixation by bacteria.
• NUE is an important trait in crop breeding programs, which aims to improve crop yield while reducing input costs, such as fertilizers, and at the same time keeping nitrogen out of the environment.
• Issues with Traditional methods: They can lead to increased operational costs for farmers and contribute to environmental issues, such as the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) during fertilizer production, contributing to global warming.

Highlights of the study:

• The recent study highlights a novel approach to improving NUE by focusing on the systemic regulation of Nitrogen Oxide (NO) levels in plants.
• By modulating these levels, researchers can influence the activity of high-affinity nitrate transporters (HATs), which play a vital role in nitrogen uptake.
• This method diverges from traditional practices, offering a more sustainable solution to enhance crop yields while reducing nitrogen inputs. As the world faces challenges related to food security, this research provides a promising pathway for developing more efficient agricultural practices.

Significance of Nitric oxide (NO):

• It plays a pivotal role in regulating various physiological processes in plants.
• It is involved in the activation of high-affinity nitrate transporters, which are crucial for nitrogen uptake, especially under low nitrogen conditions.

                                                                          Source: PIB

Consider the following statements regarding Nitrogen Use Efficiency:

1. It is the ratio between crop yield and the amount of nitrogen absorbed from the soil through roots.

2. It is considered as an important trait in crop breeding programs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer C