Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Improvement of the efficiency of urea fertilisation of rice

Project ID:
PN/1985/017
Collaborating Countries:
China
Project Locations
Commissioned Organisation:
University of Queensland, Australia
Project Leader
Dr Robert L. Blakely
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Project Budget:
$167,776
Project Duration:
01/01/1988 - 30/06/1990
Project Extension:
30/06/1990 - N/A
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Dr Eric Craswell
Project Background and Objectives

Urea fertiliser is regularly used as a nitrogen source for rice crops. However much of the nitrogen is lost as ammonia gas when the urea is broken down in the presence of urease, an enzyme found in both plants and bacteria. This project involved a genetic engineering approach to understanding how the urease is activated, and what inhibits its activity. Different metal ions appear to inhibit the active site, and studies are underway to develop improved inhibitors that will decrease the rate of ammonia loss from urea fertilizer, thereby increasing the nitrogen available to rice plants from a given amount of fertiliser.

Project Outcomes
Outcomes for this project are currently being prepared