What the study found
The study found that higher molybdenum (Mo) input together with low nitrogen input was associated with better wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The authors report that this combination may help prolong green leaves and support nitrogen metabolism during later growth stages.
Why the authors say this matters
The study suggests that regulated nitrogen and molybdenum fertilizer management could improve wheat yield and NUE. The authors conclude that this may be useful for improving resource utilization in wheat production.
What the researchers tested
The researchers tested three nitrogen levels: 0, 75, and 150 kg N ha-1, together with three molybdenum levels: 0, 0.75, and 1.5 kg Na2MoO4 ha-1. They measured grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency measures, leaf area index, net photosynthetic rate, and nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes in winter wheat cultivars.
What worked and what didn't
Average grain yield increased by 61.78% across the nitrogen treatments and by 11.71% across the molybdenum treatments. Nitrogen agronomic efficiency, nitrogen recovery efficiency, and partial factor productivity were significantly higher at low nitrogen rates, but these measures decreased at high nitrogen rates; nitrogen agronomic efficiency also decreased as molybdenum increased, while partial factor productivity increased with more molybdenum, with N1 + Mo3 showing the highest partial factor productivity. Leaf area index and net photosynthetic rate increased with molybdenum, and the activities of NR, GS, and GOGAT increased under the nitrogen treatments reported.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe the study design in detail beyond the fertilizer levels tested, and it does not provide information on site conditions or duration. The summary also does not state whether the findings apply beyond the winter wheat cultivars studied.
Key points
- Higher molybdenum plus low nitrogen was linked with better wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency.
- Grain yield increased by 61.78% across nitrogen levels and by 11.71% across molybdenum levels.
- Low nitrogen rates improved nitrogen agronomic efficiency, nitrogen recovery efficiency, and partial factor productivity.
- Partial factor productivity was highest at the N1 + Mo3 treatment.
- Leaf area index and net photosynthetic rate increased as molybdenum increased.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- High molybdenum with low nitrogen improved wheat yield and NUE
- Authors:
- Di Yang, Qixia Wu, Youning Wang
- Institutions:
- Hubei Engineering University, Hubei Engineering University, Yangtze University, Yangtze University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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