<p>Nitrogen (N) management is a cornerstone of sustainable cereal-based cropping systems, playing a critical role in enhancing yield potential and minimizing environmental impacts. As global food demand rises, the challenge of balancing productivity with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) becomes increasingly urgent. This review explores emerging real-time nitrogen management strategies designed to optimize NUE, support agri-food security, and promote environmental sustainability. The goal of real-time nitrogen management is to optimize nitrogen application timing, rates, and forms based on crop demand and environmental conditions by integrating multiple technologies, including Soil and Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) meters, Leaf Color Charts (LCCs), and sensor-based systems. Sensor-based systems, such as optical sensors and electromagnetic induction sensors, provide real-time data on crop nitrogen status at a finer spatial scale, allowing for site-specific nitrogen application. Farmers can balance crop productivity and environmental stewardship by using these tools to make well-informed decisions about nitrogen application. Several challenges remain in the implementation of real-time nitrogen management, including the cost of technology adoption, data interpretation and farmer education. Addressing these challenges will require interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers, extension agents, policymakers, and farmers to develop user-friendly and cost-effective solutions. Real-time nitrogen management is a transformative approach that enhances nitrogen use efficiency, boosts crop productivity, and reduces environmental impacts in cereal-based cropping systems. By addressing challenges such as technology adoption and farmer education, this strategy holds significant potential to support sustainable agricultural intensification and global agri-food security.</p>