Biological Nitrification Inhibition—A Novel Strategy to Regulate Nitrification in Agricultural Systems

Subbarao, G V and Sahrawat, K L and Nakahara, K and Ishikawa, T and Kishii, M and Rao, I M and Hash, C T and George, T S and Srinivasa Rao, P and Nardi, P and Bonnett, D and Berry, W and Suenaga, K (2012) Biological Nitrification Inhibition—A Novel Strategy to Regulate Nitrification in Agricultural Systems. In: Advances in Agronomy. Academic Press, Burlington, pp. 249-302. ISBN 978-0-12-394275-3

PDF Restricted to ICRISAT users only Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Human activity has had the single largest influence on the global nitrogen (N) cycle by introducing unprecedented amounts of reactive-N into ecosystems. A major portion of this reactive-N, applied as fertilizer to crops, leaks into the environment with cascading negative effects on ecosystem functions and contributes to global warming. Natural ecosystems use multiple pathways of the N-cycle to regulate the flow of this element. By contrast, the large amounts of N currently applied in agricultural systems cycle primarily through the nitrification process, a single inefficient route that allows much of the reactive-N to leak into the environment. The fact that present agricultural systems do not channel this reactive-N through alternate pathways is largely due to uncontrolled soil nitrifier activity, creating a rapid nitrifying soil environment. Regulating nitrification is therefore central to any strategy for improving nitrogen-use efficiency. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) is an active plant-mediated natural function, where nitrification inhibitors released from plant roots suppress soil-nitrifying activity, thereby forcing N into other pathways. This review illustrates the presence of detection methods for variation in physiological regulation of BNI-function in field crops and pasture grasses and analyzes the potential for its genetic manipulation. We present a conceptual framework utilizing a BNI-platform that integrates diverse crop science disciplines with ecological principles. Sustainable agriculture will require development of production systems that include new crop cultivars capable of controlling nitrification (i.e., high BNI-capacity) and improved agronomic practices to minimize leakage of reactive-N during the N-cycle, a critical requirement for increasing food production while avoiding environmental damage.

Item Type:	Book Section
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Brachiaria; Genetic strategies; Global warming; Greenhouse gas emissions; Nitrification control; Nitrate leaching; Nitrogen pollution; Nitrogen-use efficiency; Nitrous oxide; Reactive nitrogen; Sorghum; Wheat
Subjects:	Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User:	Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited:	27 Jan 2012 11:12
Last Modified:	08 Oct 2012 11:36
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/5385
Acknowledgement:	The authors thank Dr. J. Miles for his comments and suggestions to improve the quality of this review. We are also grateful to Drs. C. Lascano, M. Rondon, J. Miles, and M. Ishitani for their contributions to the development of BNI-concept.
Links:	Author

View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item