Open Access

REVIEW

Plant Nitrogen Metabolism: Balancing Resilience to Nutritional Stress and Abiotic Challenges

by Muhammad Farhan^1,#, Manda Sathish², Rafia Kiran¹, Aroosa Mushtaq³, Alaa Baazeem⁴, Ammarah Hasnain⁵, Fahad Hakim¹, Syed Atif Hasan Naqvi^1,#,*, Mustansar Mubeen⁶, Yasir Iftikhar^6,*, Aqleem Abbas⁷, Muhammad Zeeshan Hassan¹, Mahmoud Moustafa⁸

1 Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan
2 Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, 3460000, Chile
3 College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
4 Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
5 Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
6 Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan
7 Department of Agriculture and Food Technology, Karakorum International University, Gilgit, Pakistan
8 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

* Corresponding Authors: Syed Atif Hasan Naqvi. Email: ; Yasir Iftikhar. Email:
# These authors have contributed equally to this work

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Abiotic and Biotic Stress Tolerance in Crop)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2024, 93(3), 581-609. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2024.046857

Received 17 October 2023; Accepted 13 February 2024; Issue published 28 March 2024

Abstract

Plant growth and resilience to abiotic stresses, such as soil salinity and drought, depend intricately on nitrogen metabolism. This review explores nitrogen’s regulatory role in plant responses to these challenges, unveiling a dynamic interplay between nitrogen availability and abiotic stress. In the context of soil salinity, a nuanced relationship emerges, featuring both antagonistic and synergistic interactions between salinity and nitrogen levels. Salinity-induced chlorophyll depletion in plants can be alleviated by optimal nitrogen supplementation; however, excessive nitrogen can exacerbate salinity stress. We delve into the complexities of this interaction and its agricultural implications. Nitrogen, a vital element within essential plant structures like chloroplasts, elicits diverse responses based on its availability. This review comprehensively examines manifestations of nitrogen deficiency and toxicity across various crop types, including cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fruits. Furthermore, we explore the broader consequences of nitrogen products, such as N₂O, NO₂, and ammonia, on human health. Understanding the intricate relationship between nitrogen and salinity, especially chloride accumulation in nitrate-fed plants and sodium buildup in ammonium-fed plants, is pivotal for optimizing crop nitrogen management. However, prudent nitrogen use is essential, as overapplication can exacerbate nitrogen-related issues. Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is of paramount importance in addressing salinity challenges and enhancing sustainable crop productivity. Achieving this goal requires advancements in crop varieties with efficient nitrogen utilization, precise timing and placement of nitrogen fertilizer application, and thoughtful nitrogen source selection to mitigate losses, particularly urea-based fertilizer volatilization. This review article delves into the multifaceted world of plant nitrogen metabolism and its pivotal role in enabling plant resilience to nutritional stress and abiotic challenges. It offers insights into future directions for sustainable agriculture.

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