Advancing Global Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Environmental Sustainability

S. Mirzaee; A. Mirzakhani Nafchi

doi:10.1002/ldr.5614

journal article Apr 09, 2025

Advancing Global Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Environmental Sustainability

S. Mirzaee A. Mirzakhani Nafchi

Land Degradation & Development Vol. 36 No. 12 pp. 4005-4016 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/ldr.5614

Abstract

ABSTRACTEnhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is widely recognized as an important strategy for both agronomic productivity and environmental sustainability. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of NUE at both global and country levels, including selected nations such as the United States, France, China, India, and South Africa. It also examines recent advancements in agricultural practices designed to enhance NUE and crop yields while minimizing the overuse of nitrogen fertilizers. The findings indicated that NUE in the world and in some countries, including the United States of America, France, and China, has been increasing with a different gradient, resulting in a decline in nitrogen surpluses contributing to environmental pollution in these countries over recent years. In contrast, countries such as India and South Africa have shown an increase in nitrogen surpluses. Additionally, enhancing NUE through innovative agronomic procedures and cutting‐edge technologies is of importance for reducing reliance on heavy nitrogen applications and mitigating their environmental impact. It was concluded that harmonizing agronomic strategies with precision agriculture technological advancements can significantly improve NUE and preserve environmental health.

Topics

No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →

References

128

[1]

Alexandratos N. andJ.Bruinsma.2012.“World Agriculture Towards 2030/2050: The 2012 Revision.”Agricultural Development Economics Division of the Economic and Social Development Department Working Paper No. 12‐03.

[2]

10.1016/j.compag.2014.10.021

[3]

10.1016/j.inpa.2019.09.008

[4]

Alley M. M. M. E.Martz P. H.Davis andJ. L.Hammons.2009.“Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization of Corn.”Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publ. 424‐027.https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/424/424‐027/424‐027_pdf.

[5]

10.1002/saj2.20665

[6]

10.2134/jeq2003.1015

[7]

Beegle D. B. (2015)

[8]

Berendse F. "Nitrogen Use Efficiency: A Biologically Meaningful Definition?" Functional Ecology (1987)

[9]

Blackmer A. M. R. D.Voss andA. P.Mallarino.1997.“Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn in Iowa.”Bull. Pm‐1714. Ames: Iowa State University Extension.

[10]

Blaylock A. D. K.Belden andH. W.Hough.1996.“Guide to Wyoming Fertilizer Recommendations.”Ser. B‐1045. University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension.https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/WY/Agronomy_Tech_Note_No_10_Fertilizer_Guidelines.pdf.

[11]

10.1038/ncomms4858

[12]

Exploring global changes in nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in agriculture induced by livestock production over the 1900–2050 period

Lex Bouwman, Kees Klein Goldewijk, Klaas W. Van Der Hoek et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 10.1073/pnas.1012878108

[13]

10.3390/agronomy9070408

[14]

10.1289/ehp.1206249

[15]

Brown B. J.Hart D.Horneck andA.Moore.2010.“Nutrient Management for Field Corn Silage and Grain in the Inland Pacific Northwest.”Publ. 615. Pacific Northwest Extension.https://www.uidaho.edu/‐/media/UIdaho‐Responsive/Files/Extension/publications/pnw/pnw0615.pdf?la=en.

[16]

Brown J. R. D. K.Crocker J. D.Garrett et al.2004.“Soil Test Interpretations and Recommendations Handbook.”College of Agric. Div. of Plant Sci. University of Missouri.http://aes.missouri.edu/pfcs/soiltest.pdf.

[17]

Camberato J. andR. L.Nielsen.2017.“Nitrogen Management Guidelines for Corn in Indiana.”Purdue University Department of Agronomy.https://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/nitrogenmgmt.pdf.

[18]

10.1111/j.1399-3054.2012.01639.x

[19]

Clemson University.2007.“Plant Nutrient Element Management of Agricultural Soils in South Carolina Based on Soil Test Results.”General Comments for Agronomic Crops. Clemson Univ. Coop. Ext. Serv.https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/ag‐srvc‐lab/soil‐testing/pdf/introduction.pdf.

[20]

Cohan J. B.Soenen G.Vericel andF.Laurent.2018.“Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat: Recent Progress and Prospects in France.”InProceedings of Phloème. First Biennials of Cereal Innovation Paris. January 24th–25th 2018.

[21]

10.1016/j.pce.2023.103424

[22]

10.1016/j.cosust.2013.07.004

[23]

10.1371/journal.pone.0267219

[24]

Nitrate leaching in temperate agroecosystems: sources, factors and mitigating strategies

H.J. Di, K.C. Cameron

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 10.1023/a:1021471531188

[25]

10.1007/s13593-012-0111-z

[26]

10.1038/24376

[27]

10.1080/01904160903308184

[28]

10.3390/su10040925

[29]

10.1016/j.cosust.2011.08.012

[30]

Fageria N. K. (2003)

[31]

10.1081/pln-120020373

[32]

10.1016/s0065-2113(05)88004-6

[33]

Farmers Edge (2018)

[34]

Finck C.2005.“A New Era for N.”http://www.growersmineral.com/pdf/Farm%20Journal%202005%20article.pdf.

[35]

10.1002/agj2.20315

[36]

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (FAO) (2022)

[37]

Fu H. "Research on the Driving Factors of Fertilizer Reduction in China" Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers (2020)

[38]

10.3390/s19183881

[39]

10.1088/1748-9326/9/11/115003

[40]

Nitrogen use efficiency—a key to enhance crop productivity under a changing climate

Prabhu Govindasamy, Senthilkumar K. Muthusamy, Muthukumar Bagavathiannan et al.

Frontiers in Plant Science 10.3389/fpls.2023.1121073

[41]

Data fusion approach for map-based variable-rate nitrogen fertilization in barley and wheat

Angela Guerrero, Stefaan De Neve, Abdul M. Mouazen

Soil and Tillage Research 10.1016/j.still.2020.104789

[42]

Havlin J. L. (2014)

[43]

10.1155/2014/417605

[44]

Heffer P.2013.“Assessment of Fertilizer Use by Crop at the Global Level 2010–2010/11.”International Fertilizer Industry Association.http://www.fertilizer.org/En/Statistics/Agriculture_Committee_Databases.aspx.

[45]

10.2134/agronj2010.0015

[46]

10.1111/j.1365-2958.1995.mmi_18020225.x

[47]

i Plant Nutrition.2024.“iPlant Nutrition Software.”https://i‐plantnutrition.com/.

[48]

10.1016/s1631-0691(02)01467-1

[49]

Jacobsen J. G.Jackson andC.Jones.2005.“Fertilizer Guidelines for Montana Crops.”Ser. Publ. EB 161. Montana State University Extension.https://animalrange.montana.edu/documents/extension/eb161.pdf.

[50]

Jiang R. "Integrated Soil Nutrients Management and China's Food Security" Resources Science (2008)

Showing 50 of 128 references

Metrics

6

Citations

128

References

Details

Published: Apr 09, 2025
Vol/Issue: 36(12)
Pages: 4005-4016
License: View

Authors

S

S. Mirzaee

Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences South Dakota State University Brookings South Dakota USA

A

A. Mirzakhani Nafchi

Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences South Dakota State University Brookings South Dakota USA; Department of Agricultural & Biosystem Engineering, College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences South Dakota State University Brookings South Dakota USA

Funding

South Dakota State University

Cite This Article

S. Mirzaee, A. Mirzakhani Nafchi (2025). Advancing Global Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Environmental Sustainability. Land Degradation & Development, 36(12), 4005-4016. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.5614

Advancing Global Nitrogen Use Efficiency for Environmental Sustainability

You May Also Like