Abstract
This study checked the nitrogen (N) uptake, fate of the N fertilizer, fertilizer recovery efficiency (FRE) and the residual amount of N fertilizer in the soil via 15N-labelled fertilizer applied to soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), to explain any differences in the yields. Two soybean field experiments were established in Brazil, one conducted in a tropical (Trop) zone located at Cerrado Biome and the other in a subtropical (Subt) environment. The experimental design was a 2-factor in randomized complete block with four replications. Five doses of N (0, 20, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha−1) were applied at two soybean growth stages (VE and R3). For all treatments, except No-N, 15N-labelled fertilizer was used. The N uptake and the amount of N fertilizer were analysed in the roots, shoots, grains and whole plant, the FRE and yield by soybean, and the residual of fertilizer in the soil. The total N uptake (Nplant) was greater with fertilization at R3 stage compared to the other stage, and N application increased the yield just at this stage and in the Trop condition. The increase in N shoot (not specifically from fertilizer) with the application at R3 appeared to be related to the increased in yield. However, the N from fertilizer found in the plant shoot was about 20% higher when fertilizer was applied at VE compared with R3. Under Subt condition, the FRE averaging 55%. In contrast, the FRE decreased from low to high nitrogen rates (64 to 40%, respectively) when soybean grown under Trop condition. Most N from fertilizer (38%) was found in the grains, followed by the shoot (14.6%) and the root (0.58%). The use of N fertilizer at reproductive growth stages is a better approach to meet soybean N demand through N fertilization. Potential yield gains are more reliable under Trop condition.
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Abbreviations
- ANOVA:
-
Analysis of variance
- BNF:
-
Biological N2 fixation
- DAE:
-
Days after emergence
- N:
-
Nitrogen
- Ndff:
-
Nitrogen derived from fertilizer (kg ha−1)
- Ngrain:
-
Nitrogen uptake by grains (kg ha−1)
- NIE:
-
Nitrogen internal efficiency
- Nplant:
-
Nitrogen uptake by whole plant (kg ha−1)
- FRE:
-
Fertilizer (N) recovery efficiency by whole plant (%)
- Nrec:
-
Nitrogen from fertilizer recovery (%)
- Nroot:
-
Nitrogen uptake by roots (kg ha−1)
- Nshoot:
-
Nitrogen uptake by shoot (kg ha−1)
- SOM:
-
Soil organic matter
- Subt:
-
Subtropical
- Trop:
-
Tropical
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This research study was supported by Agrisus Foundation (1044/12) and The São Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP (2013/06515-2).
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The authors Pierozan Junior, C. received scholarship from FAPESP (2013/06515-2). The author Favarin, J.L received the costing to execution of project, supported by Agrisus Foundation (1044/12). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Pierozan Junior, C., Favarin, J.L., Lago, B.C. et al. Nitrogen Fertilizer Recovery and Partitioning Related to Soybean Yield. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 20, 2566–2578 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00322-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00322-x