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Relative importance of biological nitrogen fixation and mineral uptake in high yielding soybean cultivars

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Abstract

Backgrounds and aims

Soybean yield depends on total N uptake, N use efficiency, and harvest index. Nitrogen uptake relays on biological fixation (BNF) and soil absorption. Usually, BNF is considered a yield-related process. However, there is limited information on whether maximizing percent BNF (%BNF) is actually required to maximize N uptake and yield.

Methods

Seventy cultivars were evaluated for total N uptake, N use efficiency, and harvest index. Biological N fixation was determined in a subset of cultivars. The harvest index of N derived from atmosphere and from soil was also assessed.

Results

Yield was positively associated with total N uptake. Highest N uptake was not linked to increased %BNF. An inverse relationship between the amount of BNF (kgBNF) and soil N absorption was observed. Harvest index of N derived from BNF was 85%, while it was 77% for N derived from soil.

Conclusions

Highest total N uptake was attained by different combinations of kgBNF and mineral soil N absorption. This showed that maximizing %BNF is not required to maximize yield. High %BNF played a pivotal role in determining neutral soil N balance. This is so even though N derived from BNF was more partitioned to seeds than N derived from soil.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Argentina (PICT2011-1292). Authors want to thank Florencia Buldain for laboratory support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IICAR – CONICET/ Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Campo Experimental Villarino SN, S2125ZAA, Zavalla, Prov. Santa Fe, Argentina

    Gabriel Santachiara, Lucas Borrás, José A. Gerde & José L. Rotundo

  2. Departamento de Agronomía, EEA Oliveros INTA, Ruta 11 km 353, 2206, Santa Fe, Argentina

    Fernando Salvagiotti

Authors
  1. Gabriel Santachiara
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  2. Lucas Borrás
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  3. Fernando Salvagiotti
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  4. José A. Gerde
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  5. José L. Rotundo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gabriel Santachiara.

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Responsible Editor: Katharina Pawlowski.

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Santachiara, G., Borrás, L., Salvagiotti, F. et al. Relative importance of biological nitrogen fixation and mineral uptake in high yielding soybean cultivars. Plant Soil 418, 191–203 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3279-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3279-9

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