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Related Concept Videos

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
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Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
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The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
08:44

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis

Published on: May 10, 2020

Root based approaches to improving nitrogen use efficiency in plants.

Trevor Garnett1, Vanessa Conn, Brent N Kaiser

  • 1School of Agriculture Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia.

Plant, Cell & Environment
|June 30, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Improving crop yields with less nitrogen fertilizer is crucial. This review explores root-level strategies, like root morphology and N transport, to enhance nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture.

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An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients
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An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
08:44

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Published on: May 10, 2020

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients
07:45

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Plant Physiology
  • Soil Science

Background:

  • Crop production heavily relies on nitrogen (N) fertilizers, impacting plant health and yields.
  • Rising fertilizer costs and N-pollution necessitate reduced N application in agriculture.
  • Developing technologies for economically viable production with less N is a global priority.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review root-specific strategies for improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crops.
  • To focus on root phenotypes that enhance N acquisition and assimilation.
  • To complement existing reviews on plant N utilization efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of root-specific strategies impacting NUE.
  • Analysis of root morphology, root to shoot ratios, and root vigor.
  • Examination of root length density, N transport, and metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Root morphology and architecture significantly influence N uptake.
  • Root vigor and length density are key indicators of N acquisition potential.
  • Efficient root N transport and metabolism are vital for NUE.

Conclusions:

  • Root-level strategies offer significant potential to improve crop nitrogen use efficiency.
  • Optimizing root phenotypes can reduce reliance on N fertilizers.
  • Targeting root traits is essential for sustainable agricultural intensification.