Nutrient Use Efficiency in Plants: Concepts and Approaches - Practical

In this review of Nutrient Use Efficiency in Plants: Concepts and Approaches the authors present a focused, research-oriented volume that will appeal to plant scientists and advanced agronomists seeking a coherent overview of nutrient use efficiency (NUE). The book's single biggest reason to buy is its clear treatment of NUE as an integrated trait - from uptake and transport to storage and remobilization - which makes it a useful reference for researchers designing breeding or management strategies rather than a basic textbook for newcomers.

Key Features

• Comprehensive overview: The volume gathers current thinking on nutrient use efficiency across uptake, transport and internal use, helping readers see NUE as a multi-step process.
• Applied emphasis: Chapters link physiological concepts to crop improvement goals, offering practical context for breeders and agronomists.
• Interdisciplinary perspective: The book connects soil, plant and environmental factors, which supports planning for production on marginal or low-nutrient lands.
• Theoretical clarity: Definitions and measures of NUE are explained in a way that clarifies yield-per-input calculations and trait interpretation for experiments.
• Targeted scope: As part of the Plant Ecophysiology series, the book maintains a specialist tone suitable for advanced study and research reference.

Who It's For

This volume is best for plant physiologists, crop scientists, breeders and graduate students who need a focused review of mechanisms and strategies to improve nutrient use efficiency. The book is particularly useful for researchers developing trait-based approaches or agronomic interventions aimed at reducing fertilizer inputs while maintaining yield.

Readers seeking an introductory textbook or a broad popular science treatment should look elsewhere, because the material assumes familiarity with plant physiology and agronomy and emphasizes research concepts over elementary explanations.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a coherent, research-focused synthesis of NUE components from uptake to remobilization.
• Directly links physiological concepts to crop improvement and management objectives.
• Useful interdisciplinary framing that includes environmental and soil considerations.

Cons

• The specialist tone and assumed background make it less accessible to readers without prior training in plant ecophysiology.

Specifications

Title	Nutrient Use Efficiency in Plants: Concepts and Approaches
Series	Plant Ecophysiology
Volume	10
Editors / Authors	Malcolm J. Hawkesford; Stanislav Kopriva; Luit J. De Kok
Focus	Improvement of nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in crops
Topics covered	Uptake, transport, storage, mobilization and usage within plants

Our Verdict

This volume is a strong choice for researchers and advanced students who need a concise, concept-driven review of nutrient use efficiency and how it informs crop improvement. Its specialist focus and practical links to breeding and management make it good value for professionals seeking guidance on NUE strategies, though it is not intended as a beginner's primer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain how NUE is measured?
The book clarifies definitions and the yield-per-input framing of NUE, explaining how measure choices affect interpretation.

Is this suitable for field agronomists?
Yes, field agronomists involved in nutrient management will find the applied discussions useful, though some chapters assume background in plant physiology.

Who edited the volume?
The volume is edited by Malcolm J. Hawkesford, Stanislav Kopriva and Luit J. De Kok and is part of the Plant Ecophysiology series.