Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking method to enhance nitrogen uptake and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in plants, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional agricultural practices. A study conducted by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) has shown that lowering nitric oxide (NO) levels in plants can significantly improve NUE, particularly in rice and Arabidopsis. This innovative approach has the potential to improve agriculture sector by reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilizers and minimizing environmental impacts.
Current technologies aimed at improving NUE often rely on agronomic practices, such as split doses of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers and slow-release formulations. While these methods can be effective, they come with substantial drawbacks, including increased costs for farmers, environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production. Recognizing these limitations, scientists are exploring alternative approaches to tackle the dual challenges of food security and environmental sustainability.
NIPGR study found that systemic modulation of NO levels can regulate nitrate transporters, particularly high-affinity transporters (HATs), to enhance nitrogen uptake. By employing both pharmacological and genetic interventions, researchers demonstrated that modulating NO levels in plants could pave the way for improving yield under low nitrogen conditions. A key breakthrough was achieved by overexpressing phytoglobin, a natural NO scavenger, which increased the expression of nitrate transporters such as NRT2.1 and NRT2.4, enabling more efficient nitrogen absorption.
The research team, led by Dr. Jagannath Swain, Dr. Jagadis Gupta Kapuganti, Dr. Nidhi Yadav, and Dr. Sanjib Bal Samant, adopted an innovative pharmaceutical approach. Wild-type plants were treated with NO donor (SNAP) and NO scavenger (cPTIO) compounds, allowing them to monitor changes in NUE. The results revealed that under low NO conditions, plants exhibited enhanced nitrogen uptake, improved amino acid content, and better overall growth. This approach offers a promising alternative to conventional nitrogen fertilizers by focusing on genetic and pharmacological modulation of NO levels.
Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in regulating NUE by activating high-affinity nitrate transporters during periods of low nitrogen availability. The nitrosylation of proteins triggered by NO further contributes to this process, enhancing nitrogen utilization. The study highlights the potential of NO scavenging formulations to improve NUE across various agroecosystems. Researchers are also exploring soil-based bacterial solutions that act as NO scavengers, providing a natural and sustainable means of boosting NUE.
Supported by funding from the ANRF, established through the ANRF Act of 2023, this research opens the door to innovative agricultural practices that reduce the reliance on environmentally harmful fertilizers.
Dr. Kapuganti highlighted that these novel NO-scavenging techniques could significantly reduce nitrogen fertilizer usage while maintaining or even increasing crop yields.
