Summary
This review examines how deficiencies in secondary nutrients—particularly calcium, magnesium, and sulphur—disrupt nitrogen balance in crops and constrain yield potential. The authors analyse the physiological mechanisms by which these nutrients regulate nitrogen uptake (through root development and calcium supply) and utilisation (through magnesium and sulphur availability), and propose that strategic application of secondary nutrients can narrow N:Mg and N:S ratios to enhance fertiliser nitrogen efficiency, reduce input costs, and lower environmental risk.
Regional applicability
The findings on calcium, magnesium, and sulphur management are relevant to UK arable farming, particularly given variable soil pH and organic matter status across regions. However, the paper's emphasis on aluminium toxicity mitigation through lime and gypsum may be more directly applicable to acid soils in humid climates; UK applicability would depend on local soil conditions and the specific crops modelled.
Key measures
N:Mg ratio, N:S ratio, root system development, calcium and magnesium uptake, toxic aluminium content, nitrogen uptake and utilisation efficiency, fertiliser productivity
Outcomes reported
The study analysed how secondary nutrient (calcium, magnesium, sulphur) deficiencies disrupt nitrogen balance and reduce crop yield, and investigated the physiological mechanisms linking secondary nutrient supply to nitrogen uptake and utilisation. The paper examined the use of secondary nutrient applications to improve nitrogen fertiliser efficiency and productivity.
Topic tags
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