Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ChlorPlant (Regulation of plant development and crop management through chloride nutrition: a novel tool to improve water- and nitrogen-use efficiency)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2020-09-01 do 2023-08-31
Drought exerts a substantial impact on crop productivity and global food security, a challenge exacerbated by the escalating frequency and severity driven by climate change. The excessive application of nitrate-based fertilizers stands as a primary culprit in water pollution. Additionally, the high energy consumption and carbon footprint associated with industrial fertilizer production significantly contribute to global warming. Consequently, it is imperative to fathom how plants react to fluctuations in water and nitrate availability, paving the way for more efficient resource utilization and optimal crop yields.
In response to water scarcity, plants employ a two-fold strategy. Initially, they close their stomata, curtailing carbon dioxide access and subsequently impeding photosynthesis, leading to diminished growth and yield. Simultaneously, plants mobilize mechanisms to augment water by modifying root hydraulic conductivity, and in the long run, restructuring their root architecture. This intricate dance involves direct hydraulic communication between roots and leaves, complemented by hormonal signalling, culminating in stomatal closure, a protective measure against detrimental desiccation. However, much remains uncharted regarding the intricate interplay of these diverse signals that ultimately fine-tunes leaf gas exchange. Efforts to enhance water and nitrogen use efficiency have identified them as pivotal traits in mitigating resource consumption in plants. Consequently, substantial endeavours have been directed towards uncovering the physiological and genetic factors associated with these traits.
Chloride, once regarded as detrimental to agriculture, has emerged as a macronutrient due to its pivotal roles in water regulation and photosynthetic processes. Despite its non-metabolic nature, chloride shares analogous charge balance and turgor regulation properties, as well as transport mechanisms with nitrate within plants. This suggests that prioritizing chloride over nitrate for osmotic and charge-balancing functions may curtail nitrate accumulation in leaves, thereby enhancing Nitrogen Use Efficiency. Therefore, chloride nutrition presents itself as a potential tool for manipulating both Nitrogen and Water Use Efficiency in plants, thus reducing the overall dependence on water and nitrate in agricultural practices.
The project advocates for a distinctive integration of methodologies, ranging from molecular to ecophysiological, in model crops. Its core objective is to advance our foundational understanding of how chloride influences the outcomes of water and nitrate management on various facets of plant development, including photosynthesis, turgor maintenance, yield, and drought resilience. The primary goals encompass uncovering: i) the pivotal role of chloride homeostasis in plant development, ii) its significance in enhancing water and nitrogen use efficiency, and iii) the practical application of this knowledge in crop management. These pursuits will be underpinned by cutting-edge, process-based models encompassing photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and root hydraulic architecture, bolstered by state-of-the-art phenotyping techniques.
In response to water scarcity, plants employ a two-fold strategy. Initially, they close their stomata, curtailing carbon dioxide access and subsequently impeding photosynthesis, leading to diminished growth and yield. Simultaneously, plants mobilize mechanisms to augment water by modifying root hydraulic conductivity, and in the long run, restructuring their root architecture. This intricate dance involves direct hydraulic communication between roots and leaves, complemented by hormonal signalling, culminating in stomatal closure, a protective measure against detrimental desiccation. However, much remains uncharted regarding the intricate interplay of these diverse signals that ultimately fine-tunes leaf gas exchange. Efforts to enhance water and nitrogen use efficiency have identified them as pivotal traits in mitigating resource consumption in plants. Consequently, substantial endeavours have been directed towards uncovering the physiological and genetic factors associated with these traits.
Chloride, once regarded as detrimental to agriculture, has emerged as a macronutrient due to its pivotal roles in water regulation and photosynthetic processes. Despite its non-metabolic nature, chloride shares analogous charge balance and turgor regulation properties, as well as transport mechanisms with nitrate within plants. This suggests that prioritizing chloride over nitrate for osmotic and charge-balancing functions may curtail nitrate accumulation in leaves, thereby enhancing Nitrogen Use Efficiency. Therefore, chloride nutrition presents itself as a potential tool for manipulating both Nitrogen and Water Use Efficiency in plants, thus reducing the overall dependence on water and nitrate in agricultural practices.
The project advocates for a distinctive integration of methodologies, ranging from molecular to ecophysiological, in model crops. Its core objective is to advance our foundational understanding of how chloride influences the outcomes of water and nitrate management on various facets of plant development, including photosynthesis, turgor maintenance, yield, and drought resilience. The primary goals encompass uncovering: i) the pivotal role of chloride homeostasis in plant development, ii) its significance in enhancing water and nitrogen use efficiency, and iii) the practical application of this knowledge in crop management. These pursuits will be underpinned by cutting-edge, process-based models encompassing photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and root hydraulic architecture, bolstered by state-of-the-art phenotyping techniques.
First, we delved into the influence of chloride nutrition on plant establishment and early vegetative development. This involved a meticulous analysis of growth parameters at both leaf and root levels in young plants. We examined this effect on a cellular scale, dissecting chloride's impact on primary root apex development and leaf mesophyll anatomy across different stages of early growth. The findings unveiled a chloride-dependent growth stimulation, with larger plants exhibiting correspondingly enlarged leaf and root cells. Moreover, we scrutinized its influence on the hormonal regulation of this growth.
The second objective centred on investigating the impact of chloride nutrition on pivotal physiological traits governing water use, turgor maintenance, and photosynthesis amidst drought stress conditions. This entailed an integrated approach, merging phenotyping techniques for root hydraulics and architecture. The results were then assimilated into a comprehensive model of root hydraulic architecture. Additionally, we assessed key parameters associated with water relations and photosynthesis in leaves. The outcomes showcased that chloride application mitigates stress symptoms and bolsters plant growth in the face of water deficit. This is attributed to the concurrent operation of avoidance and tolerance mechanisms in response to water scarcity, ultimately enhancing leaf turgor, water equilibrium, photosynthetic efficiency, and water use efficiency.
Last, we delved into the combined impact of chloride nutrition and drought stress on nitrogen use efficiency, with an eye towards translating this knowledge into practical agronomic applications. The outcomes marked a significant milestone, revealing that chloride leads to enhanced nitrate utilization and nitrogen use efficiency, achieved through heightened assimilation and photorespiration. This underscores the pivotal role of chloride in steering nitrogen use efficiency, ultimately bolstering the yield and quality of horticultural produce intended for human consumption.
The results have culminated in the publication of three scientific articles, with several more currently in the pipeline. The researcher disseminated these findings through international conferences, seminars, social media platforms, and outreach articles. Additionally, the researcher took on the role of mentor to numerous students (spanning undergraduate, Master's, and PhD levels), each of whom made direct contributions towards achieving the project's objectives. Furthermore, fruitful collaborations were established with researchers both at the national and international levels.
The second objective centred on investigating the impact of chloride nutrition on pivotal physiological traits governing water use, turgor maintenance, and photosynthesis amidst drought stress conditions. This entailed an integrated approach, merging phenotyping techniques for root hydraulics and architecture. The results were then assimilated into a comprehensive model of root hydraulic architecture. Additionally, we assessed key parameters associated with water relations and photosynthesis in leaves. The outcomes showcased that chloride application mitigates stress symptoms and bolsters plant growth in the face of water deficit. This is attributed to the concurrent operation of avoidance and tolerance mechanisms in response to water scarcity, ultimately enhancing leaf turgor, water equilibrium, photosynthetic efficiency, and water use efficiency.
Last, we delved into the combined impact of chloride nutrition and drought stress on nitrogen use efficiency, with an eye towards translating this knowledge into practical agronomic applications. The outcomes marked a significant milestone, revealing that chloride leads to enhanced nitrate utilization and nitrogen use efficiency, achieved through heightened assimilation and photorespiration. This underscores the pivotal role of chloride in steering nitrogen use efficiency, ultimately bolstering the yield and quality of horticultural produce intended for human consumption.
The results have culminated in the publication of three scientific articles, with several more currently in the pipeline. The researcher disseminated these findings through international conferences, seminars, social media platforms, and outreach articles. Additionally, the researcher took on the role of mentor to numerous students (spanning undergraduate, Master's, and PhD levels), each of whom made direct contributions towards achieving the project's objectives. Furthermore, fruitful collaborations were established with researchers both at the national and international levels.
ChlorPlant stands out for its unique approach, delving from the cellular level up to the entire plant, to deepen our understanding of how mineral nutrients (chloride and nitrate) and water management influence crucial aspects of plant growth, such as development, photosynthesis, water relations, yield, and resilience to drought in crops. What sets this project apart is its ability to harness a diverse range of knowledge - spanning ecophysiology, development, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and agri-food sciences - to address enduring challenges in water and nutrient use in agriculture. This has the potential for profound positive impacts on our society.
Given the rising occurrences of drought worldwide and the intensification of agriculture to bolster global food security, the insights gained from ChlorPlant are of paramount importance. The research outcomes, particularly regarding the optimization of nitrate/chloride ratios for fertilization, hold promise for producing vegetables with lower nitrate content (contributing to healthier food options) while enhancing nitrogen use efficiency.
Additionally, this approach has the potential to reduce both water usage and nitrogen inputs, ultimately promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. The innovative chloride and nitrate fertilization strategies explored in this project have already piqued the interest of the agricultural sector, including fertilizer and baby food companies. This opens up exciting opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry, promising real-world applications for the knowledge gained.
Given the rising occurrences of drought worldwide and the intensification of agriculture to bolster global food security, the insights gained from ChlorPlant are of paramount importance. The research outcomes, particularly regarding the optimization of nitrate/chloride ratios for fertilization, hold promise for producing vegetables with lower nitrate content (contributing to healthier food options) while enhancing nitrogen use efficiency.
Additionally, this approach has the potential to reduce both water usage and nitrogen inputs, ultimately promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. The innovative chloride and nitrate fertilization strategies explored in this project have already piqued the interest of the agricultural sector, including fertilizer and baby food companies. This opens up exciting opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry, promising real-world applications for the knowledge gained.