Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants
The use of nickel (Ni) as a fertilizer remains a topic of debate, particularly in non-legume species, as Ni is required only in trace amounts for optimal plant function. Urea application in plants, whether foliar or root-based, relies on the urease enzyme to convert urea into NH<sub>4<sup&g...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Jailson Vieira Aguilar Allan de Marcos Lapaz Nayane Cristina Pires Bomfim Thalita Fischer Santini Mendes Lucas Anjos Souza Enes Furlani Júnior Liliane Santos Camargos |
| author_facet | Jailson Vieira Aguilar Allan de Marcos Lapaz Nayane Cristina Pires Bomfim Thalita Fischer Santini Mendes Lucas Anjos Souza Enes Furlani Júnior Liliane Santos Camargos |
| author_sort | Jailson Vieira Aguilar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of nickel (Ni) as a fertilizer remains a topic of debate, particularly in non-legume species, as Ni is required only in trace amounts for optimal plant function. Urea application in plants, whether foliar or root-based, relies on the urease enzyme to convert urea into NH<sub>4<sup>+</sup></sub> and CO<sub>2</sub>, with Ni serving as an essential cofactor. In this study, we conducted an experiment using a 2 × 2 factorial design, combining two urea concentrations [4% and 8% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)] with the absence or presence of Ni (0.3 g L<sup>−1</sup> supplied as NiSO<sub>4</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O). Gas exchange parameters were measured two days after fertilization. We quantified urease enzyme activity, urea content, photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, and other nitrogenous metabolites. The presence of Ni during foliar urea fertilization significantly increased the photosynthetic rate and photosynthetic pigments, which we attributed to improved urea assimilation. The combination of urea and Ni enhanced urease activity, leading to higher levels of various nitrogenous metabolites. Ni positively influenced foliar urea assimilation, promoting its conversion into organic compounds, such as proteins, while mitigating the toxic effects associated with urea accumulation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-66dab30751da4d00aada7746b49d2b37 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-66dab30751da4d00aada7746b49d2b372025-08-20T02:17:00ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-03-0115769910.3390/agriculture15070699Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton PlantsJailson Vieira Aguilar0Allan de Marcos Lapaz1Nayane Cristina Pires Bomfim2Thalita Fischer Santini Mendes3Lucas Anjos Souza4Enes Furlani Júnior5Liliane Santos Camargos6School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilSchool of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilSchool of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilSchool of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilInstituto Federal Goiano, Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75906-750, GO, BrazilSchool of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilSchool of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilThe use of nickel (Ni) as a fertilizer remains a topic of debate, particularly in non-legume species, as Ni is required only in trace amounts for optimal plant function. Urea application in plants, whether foliar or root-based, relies on the urease enzyme to convert urea into NH<sub>4<sup>+</sup></sub> and CO<sub>2</sub>, with Ni serving as an essential cofactor. In this study, we conducted an experiment using a 2 × 2 factorial design, combining two urea concentrations [4% and 8% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)] with the absence or presence of Ni (0.3 g L<sup>−1</sup> supplied as NiSO<sub>4</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O). Gas exchange parameters were measured two days after fertilization. We quantified urease enzyme activity, urea content, photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, and other nitrogenous metabolites. The presence of Ni during foliar urea fertilization significantly increased the photosynthetic rate and photosynthetic pigments, which we attributed to improved urea assimilation. The combination of urea and Ni enhanced urease activity, leading to higher levels of various nitrogenous metabolites. Ni positively influenced foliar urea assimilation, promoting its conversion into organic compounds, such as proteins, while mitigating the toxic effects associated with urea accumulation.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/7/699ureasenitrogenamino acidschlorophylls |
| spellingShingle | Jailson Vieira Aguilar Allan de Marcos Lapaz Nayane Cristina Pires Bomfim Thalita Fischer Santini Mendes Lucas Anjos Souza Enes Furlani Júnior Liliane Santos Camargos Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants Agriculture urease nitrogen amino acids chlorophylls |
| title | Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants |
| title_full | Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants |
| title_fullStr | Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants |
| title_short | Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants |
| title_sort | photosynthetic performance and urea metabolism after foliar fertilization with nickel and urea in cotton plants |
| topic | urease nitrogen amino acids chlorophylls |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/7/699 |
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