TY - JOUR

T1 - Plant-microbial linkages and ecosystem N retention: lessons for sustainable agriculture

AU - De Vries, Franciska

AU - Bardgett, Richard

PY - 2012/10

Y1 - 2012/10

N2 - The use of nitrogen (N) in fertilizer has doubled the amount of reactive N in the biosphere, leading to increased greenhouse-gas emissions and nutrient enrichment in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the global impact of N, many uncertainties exist about the factors that determine the loss and retention of fertilizer-associated N in terrestrial ecosystems. A growing body of evidence shows that linkages between plants and soil microbes play a major role in controlling the loss and retention of N. The promotion of such plant–microbial linkages in agricultural systems has the potential to enhance N retention and reduce N loss. Although trade-offs with agricultural yield are inevitable, promoting plant–microbial linkages will reap benefits in terms of plant crop resistance to climate change as well as to pests and diseases.

AB - The use of nitrogen (N) in fertilizer has doubled the amount of reactive N in the biosphere, leading to increased greenhouse-gas emissions and nutrient enrichment in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite the global impact of N, many uncertainties exist about the factors that determine the loss and retention of fertilizer-associated N in terrestrial ecosystems. A growing body of evidence shows that linkages between plants and soil microbes play a major role in controlling the loss and retention of N. The promotion of such plant–microbial linkages in agricultural systems has the potential to enhance N retention and reduce N loss. Although trade-offs with agricultural yield are inevitable, promoting plant–microbial linkages will reap benefits in terms of plant crop resistance to climate change as well as to pests and diseases.

M3 - Journal article

VL - 10

SP - 425

EP - 432

JO - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

JF - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

SN - 1540-9295

IS - 8

ER -