All crops require nitrogen (N) for the production of a photosynthetically active canopy, whose functionality will strongly influence yield. Cereal crops also require N for storage proteins in the grain, an important quality attribute. Optimal efficiency is achieved by the controlled remobilization of canopy-N to the developing grain during crop maturation. Whilst N will always be required for crop production, targeting efficient capture and use will optimise consumption of this valuable macronutrient. Efficient management of N through agronomic practice and use of appropriate germplasm are essential for sustainability of agricultural production. Both the economic demands of agriculture and the need to avoid negative environmental impacts of N-pollutants, such as nitrate in water courses or release of N-containing greenhouse gases, are important drivers to seek the most efficient use of this critical agronomic input. New cultivars optimised for traits relating to N-use efficiency rather than yield alone will be required. Targets for genetic improvement involve maximising capture, partitioning and remobilization in the canopy and to the grain, and yield per se. Whilst there is existing genetic diversity amongst modern cultivars, substantial improvements may require exploitation of a wider germplasm pool, utilizing land races and ancestral germplasm.

中文翻译：

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减少小麦生产对氮肥的依赖

所有作物都需要氮 (N) 来生产具有光合作用活性的冠层，其功能将强烈影响产量。谷物作物还需要氮来储存谷物中的蛋白质，这是一个重要的品质属性。通过在作物成熟期间控制冠层-N 向发育中的谷物再迁移，可实现最佳效率。虽然作物生产总是需要氮，但以有效捕获和利用为目标将优化这种有价值的常量营养素的消耗。通过农艺实践和使用适当的种质对氮进行有效管理对于农业生产的可持续性至关重要。农业的经济需求和避免氮污染物对环境的负面影响的需要，例如水道中的硝酸盐或含氮温室气体的释放，是寻求最有效利用这一关键农艺投入的重要驱动力。将需要针对与氮利用效率相关的性状进行优化的新品种，而不仅仅是产量。遗传改良的目标包括在冠层和谷物中最大限度地捕获、分配和再迁移，以及产量本身。虽然现代栽培品种之间存在遗传多样性，但实质性改进可能需要开发更广泛的种质库，利用陆地种族和祖先种质。