TY  - JOUR
AU  - Kuppe, Christian W.
AU  - Postma, Johannes A.
TI  - Benefits and limits of biological nitrification inhibitors for plant nitrogen uptake and the environment
JO  - Scientific reports
VL  - 14
SN  - 2045-2322
CY  - [London]
PB  - Nature Research, part of Springer Nature
M1  - FZJ-2024-04649
SP  - 15027
PY  - 2024
AB  - Plant growth and high yields are secured by intensive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, which, however, pollutes the environment, especially when N is in the form of nitrate. Ammonium is oxidized to nitrate by nitrifiers, but roots can release biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs). Under what conditions does root-exudation of BNIs facilitate nitrogen N uptake and reduce pollution by N loss to the environment? We modeled the spatial–temporal dynamics of nitrifiers, ammonium, nitrate, and BNIs around a root and simulated root N uptake and net rhizosphere N loss over the plant’s life cycle. We determined the sensitivity of N uptake and loss to variations in the parameter values, testing a broad range of soil–plant-microbial conditions, including concentrations, diffusion, sorption, nitrification, population growth, and uptake kinetics. An increase in BNI exudation reduces net N loss and, under most conditions, increases plant N uptake. BNIs decrease uptake in the case of (1) low ammonium concentrations, (2) high ammonium adsorption to the soil, (3) rapid nitrate- or slow ammonium uptake by the plant, and (4) a slowly growing or (5) fast-declining nitrifier population. Bactericidal inhibitors facilitate uptake more than bacteriostatic ones. Some nitrification, however, is necessary to maximize uptake by both ammonium and nitrate transporter systems. An increase in BNI exudation should be co-selected with improved ammonium uptake. BNIs can reduce N uptake, which may explain why not all species exude BNIs but have a generally positive effect on the environment by increasing rhizosphere N retention.
LB  - PUB:(DE-HGF)16
C6  - 38951138
UR  - <Go to ISI:>//WOS:001260844500059
DO  - DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-65247-2
UR  - https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1028497
ER  -