Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils
Abstract Inadequate nitrogen (N) fertilization management in pastures is common and can lead to N deficiency or excess, resulting in physiological imbalances in forage grasses across different regions of the world. Silicon (Si) fertigation is a promising strategy to mitigate these issues due to its...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| author | Cíntia Cármen de Faria Melo Danilo Silva Amaral Renato de Mello Prado Anderson de Moura Zanine Daniele de Jesus Ferreira Luís César Dias Drumond |
| author_facet | Cíntia Cármen de Faria Melo Danilo Silva Amaral Renato de Mello Prado Anderson de Moura Zanine Daniele de Jesus Ferreira Luís César Dias Drumond |
| author_sort | Cíntia Cármen de Faria Melo |
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| description | Abstract Inadequate nitrogen (N) fertilization management in pastures is common and can lead to N deficiency or excess, resulting in physiological imbalances in forage grasses across different regions of the world. Silicon (Si) fertigation is a promising strategy to mitigate these issues due to its anti-stress properties. However, its effects on the morphogenic growth processes of grasses and their influence on forage nutritional value remain unclear. This study investigated the detrimental effects of low, adequate, and excessive N-urea supply on the morphogenesis, production, and chemical-bromatological composition of Zuri grass in two tropical soils (Ferralsol and Arenosol), with a focus on the mitigating role of nanosilica in these parameters. Low N levels inhibited leaf growth and tillering, whereas excessive N led to excessive increases in morphogenic activity, compromising leaf lifespan and dry matter (DM) production. Si fertigation balanced morphogenesis under both low and excessive N conditions, reducing dead material and lignin content in forage grown in Arenosol. Well-nourished plants exhibited higher DM production in both soils when supplemented with Si. Fertigation with silicon is beneficial for the morphogenesis of grass under low or high N, mitigating DM production losses under N excess, but not under N deficiency. Silicon can optimize forage production in adequately fertilized systems without compromising forage digestibility. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-00213d80cb8b4e4bb3e58ba047b76e21 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-00213d80cb8b4e4bb3e58ba047b76e212025-08-20T03:45:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-03551-1Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soilsCíntia Cármen de Faria Melo0Danilo Silva Amaral1Renato de Mello Prado2Anderson de Moura Zanine3Daniele de Jesus Ferreira4Luís César Dias Drumond5Laboratory of Plant Nutrition, Department of Soil and Fertilizer, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP)Department of Engineering and Exact Sciences, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP)Laboratory of Plant Nutrition, Department of Soil and Fertilizer, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP)Center for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of MaranhãoCenter for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of MaranhãoDepartment of Agronomy, Federal University of ViçosaAbstract Inadequate nitrogen (N) fertilization management in pastures is common and can lead to N deficiency or excess, resulting in physiological imbalances in forage grasses across different regions of the world. Silicon (Si) fertigation is a promising strategy to mitigate these issues due to its anti-stress properties. However, its effects on the morphogenic growth processes of grasses and their influence on forage nutritional value remain unclear. This study investigated the detrimental effects of low, adequate, and excessive N-urea supply on the morphogenesis, production, and chemical-bromatological composition of Zuri grass in two tropical soils (Ferralsol and Arenosol), with a focus on the mitigating role of nanosilica in these parameters. Low N levels inhibited leaf growth and tillering, whereas excessive N led to excessive increases in morphogenic activity, compromising leaf lifespan and dry matter (DM) production. Si fertigation balanced morphogenesis under both low and excessive N conditions, reducing dead material and lignin content in forage grown in Arenosol. Well-nourished plants exhibited higher DM production in both soils when supplemented with Si. Fertigation with silicon is beneficial for the morphogenesis of grass under low or high N, mitigating DM production losses under N excess, but not under N deficiency. Silicon can optimize forage production in adequately fertilized systems without compromising forage digestibility.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03551-1Tropical forage grassesUrea excessNanosilicaTropical soilsMegathyrsus maximusForage quality and digestibility |
| spellingShingle | Cíntia Cármen de Faria Melo Danilo Silva Amaral Renato de Mello Prado Anderson de Moura Zanine Daniele de Jesus Ferreira Luís César Dias Drumond Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils Scientific Reports Tropical forage grasses Urea excess Nanosilica Tropical soils Megathyrsus maximus Forage quality and digestibility |
| title | Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils |
| title_full | Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils |
| title_fullStr | Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils |
| title_short | Silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils |
| title_sort | silicon reduces nitrogen stress and improves growth and yield of forage grass under excessive fertilization in tropical soils |
| topic | Tropical forage grasses Urea excess Nanosilica Tropical soils Megathyrsus maximus Forage quality and digestibility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03551-1 |
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