# Using an Uptake Enhancer to Mitigate Nitrogen Leaching While Enhancing Uptake Efficiency
## 4 Discussion
### Effect of Uptake Enhancer Application on Vegetative Growth  
The results at week 8 exhibited a significant impact of the uptake enhancer application, with the CFA treatment showing a remarkable 15% increase in plant height compared to the C treatment (Table 3). This significant increase in oat height is due to the essential role of N for plant biological processes, significantly impacting cell division and meristematic activity. Nitrogen fertilizer enhances cell size and division speed, leading to increased amino acids, including tryptophan, which are precursors for auxin, promoting cell division and height growth. The present findings align with those of [PERSON] et al. [34], who observed that oat plants grew 41% taller, upon applying N at a rate of 120 kg ha\({}^{-1}\). This highlights the advantageous effect of N on plant height and growth as a whole. The overall results showed how the uptake enhancer may help to stimulate early vegetative growth. The first eight weeks showed no significant increase in above-ground mass; in fact, the CFA showed a negative response, with controls recording the highest mass. This correlates with the typical early vegetative phase of oats, which favors root growth. Conversely, although insignificant, the subsequent weeks showed a notable increasing trend, indicating the uptake enhancer's impact on biomass production. The application of fertilizer and uptake enhancer improved leaf area and chlorophyll content, enhancing photosynthetic potential despite a decline observed in both parameters over time, which is consistent with natural aging processes (Table 4). The outcomes correspond with the research by [PERSON] et al. [35], who also observed a decline in chlorophyll content and leaf area in roots as oat plants age. The rise in the leaf-to-stem ratio can also be attributed to the role of N in biological processes, boosting cell division and meristematic activity, thereby expanding leaf surface area. Moreover, increased N enhances chlorophyll pigment, improving photosynthesis efficiency and leaf area. This extensive improvement in plant physiology brought about by increased absorption of N emphasizes the possible advantages of employing uptake boosters to maximize nutrient usage and encourage quicker plant growth. The high growth in root volume, root FM, and DM in the CFA treatment proves the uptake enhancer's beneficial effects on root growth and nutrient absorption. Improved root development enhances root surface area, which greatly improves the capacity of a plant to filter through the soil and absorb water and nutrients. The results are consistent with the study by [PERSON] et al. [31], who reported that applying an uptake enhancer onto a crop can promote root water uptake and, in turn, nutrient integration. The 144% increase in DM in the CFA treatment at week 12 suggests that the uptake enhancer significantly affected root biomass accumulation, which is crucial for nutrient uptake (Table 3). However, it is important to note that the use of PVC columns for growing plants has some constraints on root development and nutrient uptake due to the confined space. This might have potentially influenced nutrient acquisition patterns, especially in the treatments without the uptake enhancer. Improved panicle FM and DM after uptake enhancer applicationsimply that the uptake enhancer has the potential to improve grain output, an essential component of agricultural yield. The increase in the number of seeds per plant, particularly at week 16, indicates the favorable impact of the uptake enhancer on the plant's reproductive cells, potentially enhancing the yield potential (Table 4). The increase in seed number in inflorescences is likely due to higher N levels, which enhance photosynthesis efficiency and chlorophyll content, resulting in more spikelets and reduced flower cluster abortion due to less competition for nutrients. This aligns with previous research that was conducted by [PERSON] et al.