Light regulation of horticultural crop nutrient uptake and utilization

Plants demonstrate dynamic changes in molecular structures under fluctuating light conditions.Accumulating evidence suggests that light plays a vital role in plant growth and morphogenesis.In particular,light has a role in the absorption and utilization of nutrients in plants.Despite significant progress in understanding the mechanism of nutrient acquisition and assimilation,how light affects and regulates ion uptake remains a question.Studies in model plants,Arabidopsis thaliana,suggest that light affects the nutrient utilization in roots through a complex regulatory network;nonetheless,the molecular mechanisms underlying the various effects of light on these processes in crop plants remain fragmentary.In this review,we discuss the light effects(light quality,light intensity,and photoperiod)on nutrient uptake and utilization in horticultural crops for optimizing crop productivity and increasing fertilizer use efficiency.

Influence of Different Ratios of Cobalt and Copper Supplementation on Vitamin B_(12) Status and Nutrient Utilization in Sheep

The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of different ratios of cobalt （Co） and copper （Cu） supplementation on vitamin B12 status and nutrient utilization in sheep. Twenty wether lambs with an average weight （22.9 ± 0.8） kg were randomly divided into five groups and fed with the control diet which was supplied with 0.3 mg kg^-1 DM （dry matter） of Co to the basal diet, and four supplemental diets which were supplied either 0.3 or 0.6 mg kg^-1 DM of Co and 10 or 20 mg kg^-1 DM of Cu to the basal diet, respectively for 8 wk. The supplementation of Co and Cu with different levels improved plasma vitamin B12 concentration which was increased with feeding time, but stable after 6 wk. Vitamin B12 status was accounted for Co intake with no combined effects by supplementation of different levels of Co and Cu. The plasma concentrations of methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, folic acid, and glucose did not show the consistent results with plasma vitamin B12, which was considered to be resulted from Cu action. Addition of Co and Cu with different levels had no influence on digestibility of dry matter （DM）, organic matter （OM）, crude protein （CP） and nitrogen free （NFE）, and N metabolism （P〉 0.05）, but the digestibility of fat and fibre （P〈0.01） was enhanced by supplementation of 0.3 mg kg^-1 DM of Co and 20 mg kg^-1 DM of Cu. In conclusion, the supplementation of Co and Cu with different levels has no influence on vitamin B12 status. The optimum ratio of Co and Cu in diet could enhance the nutrient utilization.

Effects of different enzyme complex supplements in corn-soybean feedstuff on growth performance and nutrient utilization of broilers

A six-week experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing different enzyme cocktails in cornsoybean-byproduct diets on broiler chickens＇ growth performance and nutrient utilization. A total of 630 one-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 7 experimental groups with 6 replicates of 15 chicks. The group of chicks serving as the control group were fed a basal diet made of mainly corn and soybean meal, mixed with a little fish meal, rapeseed meal and wheat bran. The other six groups were fed the same basal diet supplemented with each a different enzyme complex at the dosage of 0.75 kg enzyme in 1 t basal diet. At the same time, a metabolic trial was carded out on 42 chicks at the 27 d age. The results showed that the average daily mass gain （ADG） of chicks in the starter phase, age 1 d to 21 d, was improved by all enzyme complex supplements except the cocktail made of 230 IU/g α-amylase, 5.6 klU/g β-glucanase, 5.3 kIU/g cellulase, 15.5 kIU/g protease and 37.5 kIU/g xylanase. The enzyme cocktail made of 1.6 klU/g α-amylase, 80 klU/g protease and 1.6 kIU/g xylanase worked out the most significant difference （P〈0.05）. Enzyme supplementation decreased the feed conversion ratio （FCR） by 2.78% to 3.98% （P〉0.05）, indicating better utilization of nutritients. In the grower phase at the age from 22 d to 42 d, the enzyme cocktail made of 4.0 kIU/g β-glucanase, 3.8 kIU/g cellulase, 17.8 kIU/g protease, 4.5 kIU/g xylanase and 44 IU/g α-glactase, and that made of 240 IU/g α-amylase, 1.4.6 kIU/g β-glucanase, 2.0 kIU/g cellulase, 5.7 klU/g protease, 400 IU/g xylanase, 20 IU/g α- glactase and 200 IU/g phytase imporved chicks＇ ADG and FCR significantly （P〈0.05）. These two cocktails also were shown to improve ADG and FCR in the entire period of broiler age from 1 d to 42 d. Exogenous digesting enzymes such as protease and amylase benefited the growth and nutrition utilization in young broilers in the starter phase but barely in the grower phase, indicating the underdeveloped intestine of young broilers cannot secrete sufficient digestive enzymes, making an exogenous supplement necessary. Application of an enzyme complex supplement to a maize-soybean diet for broiler chickens challenges attention to selecting suitable enzymes and their proper dosages according to basal diet composition and the age of the broilers.

Beneficial effects of a decreased meal frequency on nutrient utilization,secretion of luteinizing hormones and ovarian follicular development in gilts

Background:Replacement gilts are typically fed ad libitum,whereas emerging evidence from human and rodent studies has revealed that time-restricted access to food has health benefits.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of meal frequency on the metabolic status and ovarian follicular development in gilts.Methods:A total of 36 gilts(Landrace×Yorkshire)with an age of 150±3 d and a body weight of 77.6±3.8 kg were randomly allocated into one of three groups(n=12 in each group),and based on the group allocation,the gilts were fed at a frequency of one meal(T1),two meals(T2),or six meals per day(T6)for 14 consecutive weeks.The effects of the meal frequency on growth preference,nutrient utilization,short-chain fatty acid production by gut microbial,the post-meal dynamics in the metabolic status,reproductive hormone secretions,and ovarian follicular development in the gilts were measured.Results:The gilts in the T1 group presented a higher average daily gain(+48 g/d,P<0.05)and a higher body weight(+4.9 kg,P<0.05)than those in the T6 group.The meal frequency had no effect on the apparent digestibility of dry matter,crude protein,ether extract,ash,and gross energy,with the exception that the T1 gilts exhibited a greater NDF digestibility than the T6 gilts(P<0.05).The nitrogen balance analysis revealed that the T1 gilts presented decreased urine excretion of nitrogen(−8.17 g/d,P<0.05)and higher nitrogen retention(+9.81 g/d,P<0.05),and thus exhibited higher nitrogen utilization than the T6 gilts.The time-course dynamics of glucose,α-amino nitrogen,urea,lactate,and insulin levels in serum revealed that the T1 group exhibited higher utilization of nutrients after a meal than the T2 or T6 gilts.The T1 gilts also had a higher acetate content and SCFAs in feces than the T6 gilts(P<0.05).The age,body weight and backfat thickness of the gilts at first estrous expression were not affected by the meal frequency,but the gilts in the T1 group had higher levels of serum luteinizing hormone on the 18th day of the 3rd estrus cycle and 17β-estradiol,a larger number of growing follicles and corpora lutea,and higher mRNA expression levels of genes related to follicular development on the 19th day of the 3rd estrus cycle.Conclusions:The current findings revealed the benefits of a lower meal frequency equal feed intake on nutrient utilization and reproductive function in replacement gilts,and thus provide new insights into the nutritional strategy for replacement gilts,and the dietary pattern for other mammals,such as humans.

Effects of Different Nitrogen Levels on Growth and Nitrogen Utilization of Sugarcane

[Objectives]To systematically study the effects of different nitrogen levels on the growth and nitrogen utilization of sugarcane in Guangxi.[Methods]Through field experiment and indoor analysis,different nitrogen application levels were set up to determine soil nitrogen content and sugarcane nitrogen content.The effects of different nitrogen levels on sugarcane yield,agronomic characters and nitrogen utilization were studied.[Results]The effect of nitrogen application rate on sugarcane yield showed a quadratic curve,and nitrogen application could significantly increase sugarcane yield,and the sugarcane yield reached the maximum when the nitrogen application rate reached 714 kg/ha.[Conclusions]With the increase of nitrogen application rate,sugarcane yield increased,but when it exceeded a certain range,the sugarcane yield decreased significantly.

Mycorrhizal Networks Interacting with Litter Improves Nutrients and Growth for One Plant through the Vary of N/P Ratio under Karst Soil

Arbuscular mycorrhizae(AM)fungi affect nutrient uptake for host plants,while it is unclear how AM fungi interacting with soil litter affect plant growth and nutrient utilization through mycorrhizal networks in karst soil of deficient nutrients beyond the rhizosphere.An experiment was conducted in a microcosm composed of a planting compartment for Cinnamomum camphora seedlings with or without Glomus mosseae fungus(M+vs.M−)and an adjacent litter compartment containing or not containing additional litter material of Arthraxon hispidus(L+vs.L−),where the compartments are connected either by nylon mesh of 20μm or 0.45μm which either allow available mycorrhizal networks within the litter compartment or prevent mycelium entering into the litter compartment(N+vs.N−).Plant biomass and nutrients were measured.The results showed that the addition of litter changed the symbiotic process in mycorrhizal colonization,spore,and hyphal density,which when in association with the host plant then affected the biomass,and accumulations of N(nitrogen)and P(phosphorus)in the individual plant as well as root,stem,and leaf respectively.AM fungi increased N and P accumulations and N/P ratio in individual plants and plant tissues.A decrease of the N/P ratio of the individual plant was observed when AM fungus interacted significantly with litter through mycorrhizal networks in the litter compartment.The results indicate that the C.camphora seedlings benefited from litter in nutrient utilization of N and P through the vary of N/P ratio when accessing mycorrhizal networks.These findings suggest that mycorrhizal networks interacting with litter improve growth and nutrients of N and P for plants through the vary of N/P ratio in order to alleviate nutrient limitation under karst soil.

Nutritional and Metabolic Consequences of Feeding High-Fiber Diets to Swine： A Review

At present, substantial amounts of low-cost, fibrous co-products are incorporated into pig diets to reduce the cost of raising swine. However, diets that are rich in fiber are of low nutritive value because pigs cannot degrade dietary fiber. In addition, high-fiber diets have been associated with reduced nutrient utilization and pig performance. However, recent reports are often contradictory and the negative effects of high-fiber diets are influenced by the fiber source, type, and inclusion level. In addition, the effects of dietary fiber on pig growth and physiological responses are often confounded by the many analytical methods that are used to measure dietary fiber and its components. Several strategies have been employed to ameliorate the negative effects associated with the ingestion of high-fiber diets in pigs and to improve the nutritive value of such diets. Exogenous fiber-degrading enzymes are widely used to improve nutrient utilization and pig performance. However, the results of research reports have not been consistent and there is a need to elucidate the mode of action of exogenous enzymes on the metabolic and physiological responses in pigs that are fed high-fiber diets. On the other hand, dietary fiber is increasingly used as a means of promoting pig gut health and gestating sow welfare. In this review, dietary fiber and its effects on pig nutrition, gut physiology, and sow welfare are discussed. In addition, areas that need further research are suggested to gain more insight into dietary fiber and into the use of exogenous enzymes to improve the utilization of high-fiber diets by oils.

The Nutrient Expert decision support system improves nutrient use efficiency and environmental performance of radish in North China

Excessive fertilization has led to nutrient use inefficiency and serious environmental consequences for radish cultivation in North China.The Nutrient Expert(NE)system is a science-based,site-specific fertilization decision support system,but the updated NE system for radish has rarely been evaluated.This study aims to validate the feasibility of NE for radish fertilization management from agronomic,economic,and environmental perspectives.A total of 46 field experiments were conducted over four seasons from April 2018 to November 2019 across the major radish growing regions in North China.The results indicated that NE significantly reduced N,P_(2)O_(5),and K_(2)O application rates by 98,110,and 47 kg ha^(-1) relative to those in the farmers’practice(FP),respectively,and reduced N and P_(2)O_(5) inputs by 48 and 44 kg ha^(-1),respectively,while maintaining the same K_(2)O rate as soil testing(ST).Relative to FP and ST,NE significantly increased radish yield by 2.7 and 2.6 t ha^(-1)(4.2 and 4.0%)and net returns by 837 and 432 USD ha^(-1),respectively.On average,NE significantly improved the agronomic efficiency(AE)of N,P,and K(relative to FP and ST)by 42.4 and 31.0,67.4 kg kg^(-1) and 50.9,and 20.3 and 12.3 kg kg^(-1);enhanced the recovery efficiency(RE)of N,P,and K by 11.4 and 7.0,14.1 and 7.5,and 11.3 and 6.3 percentage points;and increased the partial factor productivity(PFP)of N,P,and K by 162.9 and 96.8,488.0 and 327.3,and 86.9 and 22.4 kg kg^(-1),respectively.Furthermore,NE substantially reduced N and P_(2)O_(5) surpluses by 105.1 and 115.1 kg ha^(-1),respectively,and decreased apparent N loss by 110.8 kg ha^(-1) compared to FP.These results indicated that the NE system is an effective and feasible approach for improving NUE and promoting cleaner radish production in North China.

Evaluating Feed Intake of Fishes in Aquaculture Nutrition Experiments with Due Consideration of Mortality and Fish Survival

Mortality is normal and natural in aquaculture experiments. However, it becomes a problem when measuring feed intake as a component of nutrient utilization parameters such as： feed conversion ratio, feed conversion efficiency, apparent net protein utilization, protein efficiency ratio and protein productive value. In order to accurately evaluate feed intake with due consideration of mortality encountered, a formulae was developed using empirical data obtained from an experiement that had mortality. The formulae Fwas： total feed consumed by numbers of survived fishes=DL∑i=1n（Fi/Ni）N. Where, D=Numbers of days fishes were fed within each period ibefore it was adjusted（e.g fortnight）, it was constant throught period of experiment; F=Uantity of feed fed per day for a fortnight before the quantity was adjusted, it changed every fortnight; L=Numbers of living fishes at the end of experimental period; N=Numbers of fishes at each weighing period, it might change every fortnight or might be constant if no mortality occurred; while n=Numbers of times fishes were weighed and quantity of feed was adjusted but this did not include the final weighing at the termination of experiment. However, if the fishes were weighed weekly, then D=6.

Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Safflower （Carthamus tinctorius L.） and Sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.） Studied in Nutrient Solution

Safflower represents an important oil crop internationally and may have a production potential under low input conditions, but its putatively high phosphorous use efficiency is not sustained. This study aims to directly compare safflower with sunflower in terms of phosphorus use efficiency in nutrient solution under controlled conditions. Growth of both species responded strongly to increasing P supply. Safflower recovers less proportion of added P than sunflower. External P requirement （（g P supply （100 g dry matter （DM） produced）~） was higher in safflower than sunflower. The efficiency of the crops for DM production based on accumulated P （mg P potl, efficiency ratio）, and P concentration in DM （（mg P （g DM）＇I）, utilization index） were interpreted using Michaelis-Menten kinetics as growth response curves. Accordingly, Km constant was lower in sunflower compared to safflower in terms of utilization index, but both were similar in terms of efficiency ratio. High Km constant in safflower in terms of utilization index indicates the high P concentration in tissues to produce 50% of potential maximum DM, consequently less efficient crop. Utilization efficiency contributed more than uptake efficiency in overall PUE in the efficient cultivar and could be the cause of its superiority in PUE. It can be concluded that safflower has a high requirement for P with respect to growth, sunflower is more efficient in terms of uptake and utilization of P at optimal and sub-optimal P supplies indicating that safflower can not be considered a low nutrient input crop compared to sunflower with respect to phosphorus.

Effects of Dietary Replacement of Maize with Sweet Potato Peel in the Diet of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus(Burchell,1822)

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary replacement of maize with sweet potato peel in the diet of Clarias gariepinus juveniles.The levels of the SPP inclusion in the experimental diets were 0%,25%,50%,75%and 100%.All the diets were iso-nitrogenous.One hundred and fifty(150)C.gariepinus juveniles(33 g~35 g)were randomly distributed to five treatments with three replicates each and 5%of their body weight for 12 weeks.Fish carcass proximate compositions analyzed before and after feeding with the experimental diets shows that CP and EE differed significantly(p<0.05)among the experimental fish and the control,except the percentage CP of the fish fed SPP0%and SPP50%in which there was no significant difference(p>0.05).Highest MWG of 207.70±25.95 g was obtained in the fish fed SPP100%followed by 191.30±16.15 g obtained in the fish fed SPP75%.The least MWG of 149.83±16.01 g was recorded in fish fed SPP25%.The highest FCR of 3.61±0.45 g was recorded in the fish fed SPP100%.A steady decrease in FCR was observed with decreasing inclusion levels of SPP meal.However,higher FW,FL,SGR and PER were observed in the experimental fish as from 50%inclusion levels of the SPP.The cost of feed per kg was reduced and the NP and WG increased with increasing levels of SPP and the profitability was enhanced at 100%SPP inclusion level.The results revealed that C.gariepinus juvenile could tolerate up to 50%,75%and 100%inclusion levels of SPP.The best growth performance was recorded in the fish fed SPP100%,therefore,sweet potato peel can replace maize in the diet of C.gariepinus without any inauspicious effect on the growth performance and nutrient utilization.

Effects of the concentration and nature of total dissolved solids in drinking water on feed intake,nutrient digestion,energy balance,methane emission,ruminal fermentation,and blood constituents in different breeds of young goats and hair sheep

Understanding how different livestock species and breeds respond to consumption of brackish water could improve usage of this resource.Therefore,Angora,Boer,and Spanish goat doelings and Dorper,Katahdin,and St.Croix ewe lambs(6 animals per animal type[AT];initial age=296±2.1 days)consuming water with varying concentrations of minerals of a natural brackish water source(BR)and sodium chloride(NaCl;SL)were used to determine effects on water and feed intake,nutrient digestion,heat energy,methane emission,ruminal fluid conditions,and blood constituent concentrations.There were 6 simultaneous 6(water treatments[WT])×6(AT)Latin squares with 3-wk periods.The WT were fresh(FR),BR alone(100-BR),a similar total dissolved solids(TDS)concentration as 100-BR via NaCl addition to FR(100-SL),BR with concentrations of all minerals increased by approximately 50%(150-BR),a similar TDS level as 150-BR by NaCl addition to FR(150-SL),and a similar 150 TDS level achieved by addition of a 1:1 mixture of BR minerals and NaCl to 100-BR(150-BR/SL).Concentrations(mg/kg)in BR were 4928 TDS,85.9 bicarbonate,224.9 calcium,1175 chloride,60.5 magnesium,4.59 potassium,1387sodium,1962 sulfate,and 8.3 boron,and TDS in other WT were 209,5684,7508,8309,and 7319 mg/kg for FR,100-SL,150-BR,150-SL,and 150-BR/SL,respectively.There were very few significant effects of WT or AT×WT interactions,although AT had numerous effects.Water intake was affected by AT(P=0.02)and WT(P=0.04),with greater water intake for 150-SL than for FR,100-BR,100-SL,and 150-BR.Dry matter intake among AT was lowest(P<0.05)for Angora.Digestion of organic matter and neutral detergent fiber and heat energy differed among AT(P<0.05),but nitrogen digestion and ruminal methane emission were similar among AT.Blood aldosterone concentration was higher(P<0.05)for FR than for other WT.In conclusion,all AT seemed resilient to these WT regardless of mineral source and concentrations,with TDS less than 8300 mg/kg,which did not influence nutrient utilization,ruminal fermentation,energy balance,or blood constituent levels.

Utilization of autoclaved and fermented sesame(Sesamum indicum L.) seed meal in diets for Til-aqua natural male tilapia

Current research emphasis has been on the reduction of feed cost by incorporating processed sesame seed meal in the diet of tilapia. Raw sesame(Sesamum indicum) seed was soaked and subjected to either autoclaving or fermentation, after which their oil contents were mechanically extracted. Graded levels of autoclaved(71.2,165,5 and 296.3 g/kg designated as diets 1, 2 and 3, respectively) and fermented(71.0,164.3 and 292,2 g/kg designated as diets 4, 5 and 6, respectively) sesame seed meal were included into fishmeal based diets for Til-aqua natural male tilapia(NMT) fry(initial weight,1.69 ± 0.02 g), A diet without sesame seed meal served as the control. Diets were approximately iso-nitrogenous(35% crude protein). Fish were fed 5 times their maintenance requirement, which was 3.2 x 5 x [fish weight(g)/1,000]^(0.8) daily for 56 days. Processing improved the nutritional profile of raw sesame seed meal in terms of its crude protein and antinutrient compositions. Growth performance of fish was similar(P> 0.05) in the control and dietary treatments. The group fed diet 3 exhibited significantly poorer feed conversion ratio(1.14), protein efficiency ratio(2.77) and economic conversion ratio(US$1.38/kg) relative to the group that received diet 5. Apparent digestibility coefficients for protein, lipid and energy in diet 3 were similar(P > 0.05) to those in diet 6 but significantly lower(P < 0.05) than those of the control and other dietary groups. The sesame seed meals processed with different methods did not significantly affect crude protein, crude lipid and gross energy compositions in the fish carcass. The study demonstrated that71.2 g/kg of autoclaved and 164.3 g/kg of fermented sesame seed meal could be incorporated in the diet of Til-aqua NMT with cost benefit.

The aquaporin MePIP2;7 improves MeMGT9-mediated Mg2+ acquisition in cassava

Aquaporins are important transmembrane water transport proteins which transport water and several neutral molecules. However, how aquaporins are involved in the synergistic transport of Mg2+and water remains poorly understood. Here, we found that the cassava aquaporin Me PIP2;7 was involved in Mg2+transport through interaction with Me MGT9, a lower affinity magnesium transporter protein. Knockdown of Me PIP2;7 in cassava led to magnesium deficiency in basal mature leaves with chlorosis and necrotic spots on their edges and starch over-accumulation. Mg2+content was significantly decreased in leaves and roots of Me PIP2;7-RNA interference(PIP-Ri) plants grown in both field and Mg2+-free hydroponic solution. Xenopus oocyte injection analysis verified that Me PIP2;7 possessed the ability to transport water only and Me MGT9 was responsible for Mg^(2+)effux.More importantly, Me PIP2;7 improved the transportability of Mg^(2+)via Me MGT9 as verified using the CM66 mutant complementation assay and Xenopus oocytes expressing system. Yeast twohybrid, bimolecular fuorescence complementation,co-localization, and co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the direct protein–protein interaction between Me PIP2;7 and Me MGT9 in vivo. Mg2+fux was significantly elevated in Me PIP2;7-overexpressing lines in hydroponic solution through non-invasive micro-test technique analysis. Under Mg^(2+)-free condition, the retarded growth of PIP-Ri transgenic plants could be recovered with Mg^(2+)supplementation. Taken together, our results demonstrated the synergistic effect of the Me PIP2;7 and Me MGT9 interaction in regulating water and Mg2+absorption and transport in cassava.

Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Diploid, Tetraploid and Hexaploid Wheats

Three diploid （Triticum boeoticum, AA; Aegilops speltoides, BB and Ae. tauschii, DD）, two tetraplold （T. dlcoccoides, AABB and T. dicoccon, AABB） and one hexapioid （T. vulgare, AABBDD） varieties of wheat, which are very important In the evolution of wheat were chosen in this study. A pot experiment was carried out on the wheat under different water and nutrient conditions （i） to understand the differences in biomass, yield, water use efficiency （WUE）, and nutrient （N, P and K） use efficiency （uptake and utilization efficiency） among ploidies in the evolution of wheat; （li） to clarify the effect of water and nutrient conditions on water and nutrient use efficiency; and （ill） to assess the relationship of water and nutrient use efficiency in the evolution of wheat. Our results showed that from diploid to tetraplold then to hexaploid during the evolution of wheat, both root biomass and above-ground biomass Increased Initially and then decreased. Water consumption for transpiration decreased remarkably, correlating with the decline of the growth period, while grain yield, harvest index, WUE, N, P and K uptake efficiency, and N, P and K utilization efficiency Increased significantly. Grain yield, harvest index and WUE decreased In the same order： T. vulgare 〉 T. dicoccon 〉 T. dicoccoides 〉 Ae. tauschii 〉 Ae. speltoides 〉 T. boeoticum. Water stress significantly decreased root blomass, above-ground biomass, yield, and water consumption for transpiration by 47-52%, but remarkably Increased WUE. Increasing the nutrient supply increased wheat above-ground biomass, grain yield, harvest Index, water consumption for transpiration and WUE under different water levels, but reduced root blomass under drought conditions. Generally, water stress and low nutrient supply resulted in the lower nutrient uptake efficiency of wheat. However, water and nutrient application had no significant effects on nutrient utilization efficiency, suggesting that wheat nutrient utilization efficiency is mainly controlled by genotypes. Compared to the other two diploid wheats, Ae. squarrosa （DD） had significant higher WUE and nutrient utilization efficiency, Indicating that the D genome may carry genes controlling high efficient utilization of water and nutrient. Significant relation- ships were found between WUE and N, P and K utilization efficiency.

Annual mowing mitigates the negative legacy effects of N enrichment on grassland nutrient use efficiency

Aims Plant nutrient use efficiency,an important factor driving primary production,is sensitive to nitrogen(N)deposition.Because of strengthened regulations of N emissions,atmospheric N deposition is decreasing in many countries.It remains unknown whether historical N enrichment would alter plant nutrient use efficiency and whether such impacts would be mitigated by ecosystem management strategy.Methods We assessed the effects of historical N addition and mowing on plant N and phosphorus use efficiency(NUE and PUE)at both functional group and community levels in a temperate steppe after the cessation of 6-year N addition.Important Findings Historical N addition had negative legacy effects on plant NUE but not on PUE at the functional group level.There were negative legacy effects of N addition on community-level NUE and PUE,but only in the unmown plots.Mowing mitigated the negative legacy effects of N enrichment on community-level NUE and PUE by reducing the dominance of tall rhizomatous grass but enhancing that of tall bunchgrass.Our results highlight the importance of community composition variations caused by mowing in driving the legacy effects of N enrichment on community-level nutrient use efficiency.Given the slow recovery of community composition following cessation of N deposition,our findings suggest that the lower nutrient efficiency of plant community would be long-lasting.