New Method of Increasing Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

Context

• Recent research has identified a novel method to enhance Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in crops like rice and Arabidopsis by lowering nitric oxide (NO) levels in plants.

Key Findings of the Study

• Role of Nitric Oxide (NO): Nitric oxide influences nitrate uptake by regulating nitrate transporters.
  • Lowering NO levels activates high-affinity nitrate transporters (HATs), especially under limited nitrogen conditions.
• Overexpressing phytoglobin, a natural NO scavenger, increases the expression of high-affinity nitrate transporters (HATs) like NRT2.1 and NRT2.4, leading to more efficient nitrogen uptake under low NO conditions.
• Protein Nitrosylation, a biochemical modification of proteins by NO, plays a crucial role in nitrogen regulation.
  • Targeting this process has shown improved NUE outcomes.
• The study also explores the development of NO scavenging formulations adaptable to various agroecosystems, further aiding the reduction of nitrogen fertilizer use.
• Improving NUE is critical for;
  • Reducing excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers,
  • Mitigating environmental pollution, such as nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions,
  • Enhancing crop yields.

Methods Used

• Genetic Manipulation: Genetic manipulation involves altering plant genes to control nitric oxide levels in the cells.
• Pharmacological Manipulation: Pharmacological manipulation involves using chemical compounds called NO scavengers to reduce nitric oxide concentration in plants. 

Source: PIB