Effect of urea fertilization on growth of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) under various nickel (Ni) levels with or without acetic acid addition, using 15N-labeled fertilizer

• Published in: Environmental geochemistry and health Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 2423 - 2431
• Main Authors: Zhran, Mostafa, Moursy, Ahmed, Lynn, Tin Mar, Fahmy, Ahmed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acetic acid; Acids; Beans; Biological fertilization; Broad beans; Dry weight; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Fertilization; Fertilizers; Geochemistry; Metabolism; Nickel; Nickel sulfate; Nitrogen; Nitrogen isotopes; Nitrogen metabolism; Original Paper; Public Health; Shoots; Soil; Soil pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; Sustainable agriculture; Terrestrial Pollution; Tracer techniques; Tracers; Uptake; Urea; Broad bean plants; Urea fertilizer; N-labeled fertilizer; Sandy soil; Acetic acid solution; Nickel sulfate
• ISSN: 0269-4042; 1573-2983
• DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00707-y

Although nickel (Ni) has direct relationship with nitrogen metabolism of plants, the high dose of Ni fertilizer in broad bean plants may affect the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), impair plant development and even cause Ni pollution in soil. Thus, a pot experiment was set up to study the effect of urea fertilization on N-uptake, root and shoots’ Ni content as well as growth of broad bean plants under different levels of Ni, using 15 N tracer technique. 15 N-labeled urea (5% 15 N atom excess) was added at three doses (0, 30 and 60 mg N kg −1 soil). Nickel sulfate (NiSO 4 ) was also applied at three levels (0, 50 and 100 mg Ni kg −1 soil). The experiment was laid out with or without acetic acid in randomized complete block design in three replicates. Treatment with the addition of 60 mg N + 50 mg Ni showed the highest values in dry weights of root and shoots, N-uptake by shoots, nitrogen derived from fertilizer (Ndff %) and NUE % by shoots in both with or without acetic acid solution. Higher rate of Ni addition can decrease shoot and root biomass by inhibiting the ability of the plant to uptake the nitrogen efficiently. However, addition of acetic acid solution induced the improvement of NUE % and Ndff % by shoot and root of broad bean plants. This study provides insight into how to improve plant yield without damaging the soil health and will be helpful to create a better world with sustainable agriculture.