Zhao et al. (2020) Effect of balanced application of boron and phosphorus fertilizers on soil bacterial community, seed yield and phosphorus use efficiency of Brassica napus

Identification

• Journal: The Science of The Total Environment
• Year: 2020
• Date: 2020-08-17
• Authors: Zhe Zhao, Youqiang Wang, Jianqi Shi, Sheliang Wang, Philip J. White, Lei Shi, Fangsen Xu
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141644

Research Groups

• National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Microelement Research Centre, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
• The James Hutton Institute, Invergowie, Dundee DD2 5DA, UK
• Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Short Summary

This study investigated the impact of balanced boron (B) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer applications on rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) seed yield, phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), and soil bacterial communities in field experiments. It revealed that appropriate B and P combinations significantly enhance seed yield, PUE, and soil bacterial diversity, with optimal ratios varying by cultivar.

Objective

• To investigate the effects of balanced boron (B) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer applications on seed yield and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of Brassica napus.
• To investigate the effects of balanced B and P fertilizer applications on the soil bacterial community associated with Brassica napus.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field experiments.
• Temporal Scale: Two growing seasons (2016–2017 and 2017–2018).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not explicitly stated; standard statistical analyses likely applied.
• Data sources: Field experiments (measurements of seed yield, PUE), 16S rRNA gene sequencing (for soil bacterial community analysis).

Main Results

• Balanced application of B and P fertilizers increased soil bacterial diversity.
• Appropriate B and P combinations had a positive synergistic effect on PUE and seed yield of rapeseed.
• The positive synergistic effects differed among rapeseed cultivars.
• The smallest seed yields were obtained when B or P fertilizers were not applied (e.g., 39.2 kg P ha⁻¹ with 0 kg B ha⁻¹ or 0 kg P ha⁻¹ with 1.332 kg B ha⁻¹).
• The treatment with 19.6 kg P ha⁻¹ and 0.666 kg B ha⁻¹ produced greater seed yield and PUE than the treatment with 19.6 kg P ha⁻¹ and 2.664 kg B ha⁻¹.
• The treatment with 78.4 kg P ha⁻¹ and 2.664 kg B ha⁻¹ produced greater seed yield and PUE than the treatment with 78.4 kg P ha⁻¹ and 0.666 kg B ha⁻¹.
• The treatment with 39.2 kg P ha⁻¹ and 1.332 kg B ha⁻¹ resulted in greater soil bacterial diversity and a different bacterial community composition compared to treatments lacking B or P.
• An approximate ratio of 1 kg Na2B4O7·5H2O to 10 kg P2O5 (equivalent to approximately 1 kg B to 29 kg P) improved rapeseed seed yield in the field experiments.

Contributions

• Demonstrated the critical importance of balanced B and P nutrition for achieving maximal seed yield in Brassica napus.
• Provided novel insights into the effects of B and P fertilizers on the soil bacterial community of Brassica napus, an area previously understudied.
• Identified specific optimal B:P ratios for rapeseed yield and PUE, highlighting the existence of cultivar-specific responses to nutrient management.

Funding

• Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

Citation

@article{Zhao2020Effect,
  author = {Zhao, Zhe and Wang, Youqiang and Shi, Jianqi and Wang, Sheliang and White, Philip J. and Shi, Lei and Xu, Fangsen},
  title = {Effect of balanced application of boron and phosphorus fertilizers on soil bacterial community, seed yield and phosphorus use efficiency of Brassica napus},
  journal = {The Science of The Total Environment},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141644},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141644}
}