Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This overview focuses on the use of 15 N labeled fertilizers to provide information about nitrogen (N) cycling processes in conventional vegetable production systems. Recent interest in determining fertilizer N use efficiency (FNUE) for vegetables may be due to the increase of global vegetable production, rise in N fertilizer costs, consumer preference for diversified plant-based diets, and interest in purchasing sustainably produced fresh foods. Vegetable production is known to require intensive amounts of N fertilizers, where the inefficiencies in N utilization can reach lower than 50%. To understand such systems comprehensively, the 15 N technique was found helpful to investigate the co-factors involved in plant N uptake and identify sustainable solutions for economic vegetable production. Through a summary of the 15 N studies, FNUE was found to range between 9 and 67%, with an average of 23% to 34%. Therefore, in most cases, over 70% of the applied N remained as residual or unaccounted for N in the soil post-harvest, which poses a significant risk for nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions in vegetable systems. Despite advancements in production technologies, such as drip-irrigated plasticulture systems, inefficiencies persist due to excessive N fertilizer application and suboptimal timing of applications. While the cost of 15 N-labeled fertilizers can be high, their use has provided critical insights into realistic N management scenarios, thus enhancing our understanding of important N transformation processes in vegetable systems. Additionally, the 15 N natural abundance (δ 15 N) method facilitated the qualitative study of complex systems, where accurately labeling material such as enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs), can be challenging with traditional 15 N enrichment techniques. Further innovation of the 15 N technique is necessary to study sustainable N management practices, including the use of EEFs, biochar, plant growth-promoting bacteria, and nitrification inhibitors, which are of increasing interest to the industry. Key takeaways from the 15 N fertilizer studies emphasize the importance of improving N management strategies that optimize the source, placement, timing, and rate of N application to improve FNUE, minimize N pollution, and reduce reliance on economically prohibitive remediation approaches. This overview highlights the need for proactive and preventive N management strategies that reduce environmental impacts while enhancing the efficiency of vegetable production systems.
Source: Discover Agriculture
Authors: Laura Jalpa, Rao S. Mylavarapu
Institution: University of Florida
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,290
OpenAlex ID: W4405733447