Photosynthetic Performance and Urea Metabolism After Foliar Fertilization with Nickel and Urea in Cotton Plants

Jailson Vieira Aguilar, Allan de Marcos Lapaz, Nayane Cristina Pires Bomfim, Thalita Fischer Santini Mendes, Lucas Anjos Souza, Enes Furlani Júnior and Liliane Santos Camargos ()
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Jailson Vieira Aguilar: School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, Brazil
Allan de Marcos Lapaz: School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, Brazil
Nayane Cristina Pires Bomfim: School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, Brazil
Thalita Fischer Santini Mendes: School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, Brazil
Lucas Anjos Souza: Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde 75906-750, GO, Brazil
Enes Furlani Júnior: School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, Brazil
Liliane Santos Camargos: School of Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, Brazil

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: 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 4 + and CO 2 , 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% ( w / v )] with the absence or presence of Ni (0.3 g L −1 supplied as NiSO 4 ·6H 2 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.

Keywords: urease; nitrogen; amino acids; chlorophylls (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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