Strategies to improve nitrogen use in forage crops
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) use efficiency is a major issue for agriculture across the world. We now have many molecular tools to address this important topic in new ways. Grass and legume forage crops are harvested when the leaf canopy is fully established and the dried material is an important protein source for animal feed. The challenge for the growers of forage crops is to maintain the protein production with decreased fertilizer inputs to meet new legislation requirements. Crop protein content depends on the plant receiving sufficient N until harvest. Leaf N is stored as vegetative storage protein a specialised type of cell vacuole. Excess N can also be stored as nitrate in the vacuole. In forage crops these N storage forms are important for both N use efficiency and the final feed value of the dried product. This research will investigate ways to optimise N fertilizer use and protein production in forage crops.
Work with model plants has identified some marker genes for vegetative storage proteins, vacuole type and the crop N status that will be tested in these forage crops. These molecular markers will be tested in field samples collected under a range of different environments and management practices. The field sampling regimes can also include the screening of some natural compounds that can be applied to alter plant N storage pools. There is also an opportunity to use a new type of soil N sensor in these field experiments to check the influence of supply on N storage pools.
Work with model plants has identified some marker genes for vegetative storage proteins, vacuole type and the crop N status that will be tested in these forage crops. These molecular markers will be tested in field samples collected under a range of different environments and management practices. The field sampling regimes can also include the screening of some natural compounds that can be applied to alter plant N storage pools. There is also an opportunity to use a new type of soil N sensor in these field experiments to check the influence of supply on N storage pools.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Tony Miller (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M015203/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 | |||
| 1654587 | Studentship | BB/M015203/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 |
| Description | Grasses and lucerne are the main crops of choice for dried forage crop growers in the UK, who use vegetative forage tissue to formulate animal feeds. To maximise yield, the forage crop industry uses substantial fertiliser applications, however not efficiently, with limited research into forages. Efficiency must be increased throughout the industry; therefore this thesis aims to investigate several strategies to increase yield and efficiency of UK forage crop production. Firstly, a range of nitrogen status marker genes for use in forage crops were validated in the laboratory. Testing of field samples showed a link between soil conditions and future yields. This provides knowledge platforms that can be used by growers to ensure adequate, but not excessive, fertiliser use. Soil nitrate availability to forage crops was tested with a new method using soil columns in conjunction with nitrate-selective sensors. This method provided extensive data of the soil nitrate profile in columns, and showed to be superior to techniques in current published literature. The data collected with the use of soil columns and nitrate-selective sensors was then used to investigate management practices, including how defoliation and intercropping can affect soil profiles. Next, the potential of the biostimulant fulvic acid to increase vegetative yield in forage crops was investigated. It was found that the treatment with fulvic acid resulted in vegetative yield increases in numerous lucerne cultivars, across a range of growth conditions. Furthermore, it was observed that nodulation and microbial growth was also affected by fulvic acid treatment. To assess the mode of the action that determines biomass increases transcriptome analysis was undertaken, which suggested fulvic acid may be a viable biostimulant for lucerne, providing yield increases without significantly higher inputs. |
| Exploitation Route | Through validating a suite of N status marker genes for use forage crops, field testing has provided more evidence of how crop production is related to soil N levels. This has provided data directly applicable to grower and breeder needs, and in addition, provided knowledge for N metabolism studies in grasses. Nitrate-selective sensors have provided extensive data of soil N profile changes following different management practises. This data has been shown to be superior to conventional testing. Additionally, the detection of a NO3- 'burst' following defoliation of grasses localised to one area of soil columns requires further investigation. Lastly, the implementation of a new management practise of fulvic acid has shown to be very useful in increasing vegetative biomass in lucerne. This yield increase was shown in many growth conditions, including the field. As nodulation was also affected, in physiological experiments and transcriptome analysis, there is scope to investigate fulvic acid's role in both plant and microbial growth. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Description | This project has provided practical information to aid forage crop growers in farming more efficiently, especially with providing tools to assess both plant and soil conditions. This work provides new avenues of work into management practises of forages which are underrepresented in current research. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Junior Scientist Travel Grant |
| Amount | £750 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Genetics Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2016 |
| End | 12/2016 |
| Description | Society for Experimental Biology Company of Biologists Travel Grant |
| Amount | £250 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Company of Biologists |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 09/2017 |
| Description | British Association of Green Crop Driers |
| Organisation | British Association of Green Crop Driers |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | iCASE partnership with British Association of Green Crops Driers. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of placement and field trial assistance |
| Impact | Trials completed in past two years, with trials of this growing season pending. Results to follow for outcomes. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Collaboration on project IP |
| Organisation | Plant Bioscience Limited Technology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Collaboration with Plant Bioscience Limited (PBL) to commercially develop soil nutrient sensors |
| Collaborator Contribution | Plant Bioscience Limited (PBL) find partners to commercialize the sensors |
| Impact | Patenting |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Meeting with representatives from The British Association of Green Crop Driers Ltd (BAGCD) |
| Organisation | British Association of Green Crop Driers |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Meeting with Industry collaborators to discuss project, with information of progress presented and discussed |
| Collaborator Contribution | Meeting with research team to discuss progress with industrial perspective, and knowledge exchange with institute Field Manager |
| Impact | Ongoing collaboration |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Meeting with representatives from The British Association of Green Crop Driers Ltd (BAGCD) |
| Organisation | British Association of Green Crop Driers |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | meeting |
| Collaborator Contribution | meeting |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Improving nitrogen use efficiency in forage crops. Nitrogen 2016: EMBO Conference: The nitrogen nutrition of plants & the Third International Symposium on the Nitrogen Nutrition of Plants |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation entitled Improving nitrogen use efficiency in forage crops. Nitrogen 2016: EMBO Conference: The nitrogen nutrition of plants & the Third International Symposium on the Nitrogen Nutrition of Plants |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Attendance and presentation at Sensors in Food and Agriculture 2018 meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Field testing and the research underpinning the soil sensor development was reported at the Sensors in Food and Agriculture 2018 meeting. At this meeting an industrial partner was identified who has relevant expertise to commercially develop the soil sensor technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.rsc.org/events/detail/33486/sensors-in-food-and-agriculture-2018 |
| Description | Attendance at SAIN workshop - Agricultural Transition and UK China Cooperation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Worshop meeting at the University of East Anglia -13 December 2017. Attended by visitors from CAU (Professor Fusuo Zhang and Prof Xuejun Liu). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | JIC50 public open day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Open Day at JIC celebrating 50 years on the Norwich site. Soil columns featuring the N sensors were displayed to the public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.jic.ac.uk/news-and-events/blog-copy/2017/08/john-innes-celebrates-50-years-norwich-2017 |
| Description | Lightening talk; Studying Nitrogen - from soil to crop REAP2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Lightening talk at REAP 2016 - AgriTech East Conference, showing research at JIC to farmers and industry |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Meeting with Novozymes Industry representatives |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discuss future collaborations with Novozymes representatives (led by Jeanne Kjaer). Skype call with contacts in USA and India. (11 March 2019) I presented my current research and we discussed opportunites for future collaboration. Meeting facilitated by Jon Clarke at JIC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Meeting with representatives from The British Association of Green Crop Driers Ltd |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Formal meeting with funders and tour of research site. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Miller/Sanders Laboratory stand at JIC50 Open Day; Zinc in grains and Nitrogen in soils |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Miller/Sanders Laboratory stand at JIC50 Open Day; Zinc in grains and Nitrogen in soils |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation at Chinese University Lecturers Conference - Fujian Agricultural University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Miller A. J.(2018) Nitrogen uptake and assimialtion in Crop Plants (2 lectures) Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. Chinese University Lecturers Conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at Mardlers dinner |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Mardlers are a group of approximately 25-30 Norfolk farmers, which all have reach beyond the farm gate, either through processing and marketing of their crops or stock, or through membership of industry bodies, political, research or marketing. There are also members who are involved with banking, accountancy and land agency, and as such they have a very broad range of interests across the agricultural, food and business sectors, both regionally and nationally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation at UK-China Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 15-17 October Workshop at UEA. Chinese representatives from Anhui Agricultural University (AAU) and Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS). Meeting organized by Dr Yuelai Lu (SAIN, School of International Development, UEA). Title of presentation: Soil Nitrogen and Crops |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation to Suffolk Organic Gardners, Bury St Edmunds |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 'Soils: root/microbial relationships and nutrient cycling' - presentation to the Suffolk Organic Gardeners Association in Bury St Edmunds (11 th February 2020). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/suffolk-organic-gardeners |
| Description | Presentation to a group if Industry Representatives (BAYER) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to BAYER - visiting group of representatives. The effects of a biostimulant on crops and developing soil nutrient sensors. 13 Feb 2019 at Church Farm. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://www.primeag.co.uk/ |
| Description | PrimeAg visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Eight visitors from PrimeAg visited JIC for half a day. Prime Agriculture LLP is a consultancy partnership of 11 BASIS and FACTS qualified agronomists, working with growers in in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire. http://www.primeag.co.uk/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.primeag.co.uk/ |
| Description | Raising the pulse of the UK pea and bean crop - Agri-Tech Week 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Conference included breakout round table discussions and demonstration exhibits. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Royal Norfolk Show supporting JIC stand |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Public engagement with stand on nutrition in legumes and for human health, located in school zone but also with general public interest. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Soil and Plant conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation was titled: Soil health and nutrient supply to plants. Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum 2015 Conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |