Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Agricultural Sustainability

Synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers and genetic improvements in crops have boosted yields and increased food security in the last six decades. However, the excess application of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertiliser has impacted the global N cycle and has resulted in increased Nr release in the environment. Ignoring N pollution may limit our ability to manage other sustainable development goals (SDGs) as it has already crossed planetary boundaries. The rational use of nitrogenous fertilisers may improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and mitigate environmental N-pollution to meet UN SDGs. This chapter highlights the trends, drivers and impacts of excessive N use on the various ecosystem services and NUE in significant crops. This chapter further elaborates on how different N management strategies and technologies with a track record of scientific validation affect agroecosystem sustainability. The literature review found that the main problem is the implementation of management methods.