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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.02.28.530550

Balanced nitrogen-iron nutrition boosts grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in rice and wheat

Wu, J.·Xiang, C.
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Abstract

Nutrients must be balanced for optimal plant growth. However, the potential significance of balanced nitrogen-iron (N-Fe) for improving crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has never been addressed. Here, we show that balanced N-Fe substantially increases tiller number and boosts yield and NUE in rice and wheat. NIN-like protein 4 plays a pivotal role in maintaining the N-Fe balance by coordinately regulating the expression of multiple genes in N and Fe metabolism and signaling. Moreover, we show that foliar spraying of balanced N-Fe at the tillering stage can effectively increase rice tillers, yield and NUE in the field, which can be reproduced with wheat. Our findings provide guidelines for innovative fertilization to reduce N fertilizer input and promote yield, thus benefitting environment-friendly and sustainable agriculture worldwide.

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Wu, J., Xiang, C.. 2023-03-01. Balanced nitrogen-iron nutrition boosts grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in rice and wheat. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.28.530550

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