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ABSTRACT
Invariably, many agricultural soils of the world are deficient in one or more of the essential
nutrients needed to support healthy plants. Acidity, alkalinity, salinity, anthropogenic
processes, nature of farming, and erosion can lead to soil degradation. Additions of fertilizers
and/or amendments are essential for a proper nutrient supply and maximum yields. Estimates
of overall efficiency of applied fertilizer have been reported to be about or lower than 50% for
N, less than 10% for P, and about 40% for K. Plants that are efficient in absorption and
utilization of nutrients greatly enhance the efficiency of applied fertilizers, reducing cost of
inputs, and preventing losses of nutrients to ecosystems. Inter- and intra-specific variation for
plant growth and mineral nutrient use efficiency (NUE) are known to be under genetic and
physiological control and are modified by plant interactions with environmental variables.
There is need for breeding programs to focus on developing cultivars with high NUE.
Identification of traits such as nutrient absorption, transport, utilization, and mobilization in
plant cultivars should greatly enhance fertilizer use efficiency. The development of new
cultivars with higher NUE, coupled with best management practices (BMPs) will contribute to
sustainable agricultural systems that protect and promote soil, water and air quality.
RESUMEN
Invariablemente, muchos suelos agrícolas del mundo son deficientes en uno o varios de los
nutrientes esenciales necesarios para mantener la salud de las plantas. La acidez, la
alcalinidad, la salinidad, los procesos antropogénicos, la naturaleza de la agricultura y la
erosión pueden conducir a la degradación del suelo. La adición de fertilizantes y/o enmiendas
es esencial para un correcto suministro de nutrientes y un máximo rendimiento. Se ha
informado de que la eficiencia global de los fertilizantes aplicados es de aproximadamente o
menos del 50% para el N, menos del 10% para el P y alrededor del 40% para el K. Las plantas
que son eficientes en la absorción y utilización de nutrientes mejoran en gran medida la
eficiencia de los fertilizantes aplicados, reduciendo el coste de los insumos y evitando las
pérdidas de nutrientes en los ecosistemas. Se sabe que las variaciones inter e intraespecíficas
del crecimiento de las plantas y de la eficiencia en el uso de los nutrientes minerales (NUE)
están bajo control genético y fisiológico y son modificadas por las interacciones de las plantas
con las variables ambientales. Es necesario que los programas de mejora se centren en el
desarrollo de cultivares con una elevada NUE. La identificación de rasgos como la absorción, el
transporte, la utilización y la movilización de nutrientes en los cultivares de plantas debería
mejorar en gran medida la eficiencia del uso de fertilizantes. El desarrollo de nuevos cultivares
con una mayor NUE, junto con las mejores prácticas de gestión (BMP), contribuirá a crear
sistemas agrícolas sostenibles que protejan y promuevan la calidad del suelo, el agua y el aire
(Baligar et al., 2001).
Abstract
In modern agriculture use of essential plant nutrients in crop production is very important to
increase productivity and maintain sustainability of the cropping system. Use of nutrients in
crop production is influenced by climatic, soil, plant, and social-economical condition of the
farmers. Overall, nutrient use efficiency by crop plants is lower than 50 % under all
agroecological conditions. Hence, large part of the applied nutrients is lost in the soil-plant
system. The lower nutrient use efficiency is related to loss and/or unavailability due to many
environmental factors. The low nutrient use efficiency is not only increase cost of crop
production but also responsible for environmental pollution. Nutrient use efficiency in the
literature is defined in several ways. The most common nutrient use efficiency is designated as
nutrient efficiency ratio, agronomic efficiency, physiological efficiency, agrophysiological
efficiency, apparent recovery efficiency, and utilization efficiency. Definition and methods of
calculation of these deficiencies are presented. Improving nutrient use efficiency is essential
from economic and environmental point of view. The most important strategies to improve
nutrient use efficiency are the use of adequate rate, effective source, timing, and methods of
application. In addition, decreasing abiotic and biotic stresses and use of nutrient efficient crop
species and genotypes within species are also important in increasing nutrient use efficiency.
Resumen