Investigation of nitrogen efficiency in Solanum tuberosum
Description:
The release of nitrogen from fertilizers applied to areas used by agriculture accounts for an increasingly negative impact on ecosystems. Therefore there is increasing demand for cultivars with optimized nitrogen efficiency. Four different components are differentiated in respect to nitrogen utilization of plants: (1) absorption, (2) assimilation, (3) translocation, and (4) remobilization. The ability for efficient nutrient uptake and utilisation differs between plant species due to specific morphological and physiological characteristics. Furthermore, genetically based differences have been demonstrated within one species. This indicates the feasibility of increasing the nutrient use efficiency by plant breeding. In regard to agricultural crop production worldwide potato ranks fourth after wheat, rice and maize. In Europe potato culture comprises an area of approximately 1,300,000 ha per year. This research project aims at the establishment of methods which will allow the development of potato genotypes with increased nitrogen efficiency. Special emphasis will be placed on (1) characterization of genetic ressources in regard to different components of nutrient uptake and utilization, (2) investigation of effects of nitrogen deficiency on development and physiology of different genotypes, (3) genetical analysis of nitrogen efficiency as well as (4) development of appropriate screening and selection procedures.
Executive Institute:
Institute of Resistance Research and Stress Tolerance (JKI-RS) Details of Institute of Resistance Research and Stress Tolerance
Parent institution:
Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants – Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) Details of (JKI) (Saxony-Anhalt)
Contract period:
01. 05. 2006 - 30. 09. 2016
Funding Programme:
- BMELV / Core funding Details of BMELV / Core funding
Subject:
- Crop Production
- Plant Breeding
Purpose of research:
Basic research
Funding Institutions:
- Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) Details of (BMELV)
Project Management Agency:
- Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) Details of BMELV