Evaluating the Potential of Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) in Sorghum Using an Ex-Ante Crop Modeling Approach with DSSAT

Nedumaran, S and Kadiyala, D M (2026) Evaluating the Potential of Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) in Sorghum Using an Ex-Ante Crop Modeling Approach with DSSAT. Project Report. ICRISAT, Hyderabad.

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Divisions

Global Research Program - Enabling Systems Transformation

Additional Information

This work was undertaken as part of an ongoing BNI Sorghum research project supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The authors acknowledge contributions from crop modeling, soil science, and the sorghum breeding team at ICRISAT.

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is a critical input for crop production, yet nitrogen use inefficiencies result in substantial economic losses and environmental externalities, including nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) is a plant-mediated mechanism that suppresses soil nitrification via root-secreted compounds, thereby improving nitrogen retention in agroecosystems. This working paper evaluates the potential agronomic and environmental benefits of incorporating BNI activity into sorghum using an ex-ante crop simulation approach. The DSSAT crop system model was applied for a representative irrigated post-rainy (Rabi) sorghum system in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India, using the widely cultivated sorghum hybrid CSH-5. Virtual sorghum cultivars with varying BNI efficiency were assessed, and duration was evaluated by modifying the DSSAT fertilizer parameter file in accordance with recommended nitrogen management. Results indicate that high-efficiency, long-duration BNI scenarios can increase sorghum yields by up to 7%, reduce nitrogen losses, and lower cumulative CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12% over the crop season. The findings provide robust ex-ante evidence supporting BNI-enabled sorghum as a climate-smart, resource-efficient innovation for dryland and irrigated cereal systems.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Enabling Systems Transformation
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Series Name:	Project Report
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI), Ex-Ante Crop Modeling, sorghum
Subjects:	Others > Crop Modelling Mandate crops > Sorghum Others > Drylands Agriculture
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	30 Jan 2026 04:11
Last Modified:	30 Jan 2026 04:11
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13439
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