Nitrogen Use Efficiency

When fertilizer is transformed in the soil in various ways, several forms of nitrogen such as ammonia, nitrous oxide, nitrogen gas and/or nitrate are lost to the air or groundwater. Nitrogen use efficiency technologies help stop nitrogen’s escape, keeping it in the soil where it is available to plants when they need it.

But what is nitrogen use efficiency? Nitrogen fertilizers are essential for plant growth and maximizing yields, and are required in large quantities. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in agriculture refers to optimizing nitrogen from the application of nitrogen fertilizer to promote crop growth and yield, as well as minimize nitrogen losses into the environment.

NUE is an important measure of agricultural sustainability and productivity and highlights the importance of managing nitrogen in agriculture. By improving nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture, farmers can optimize fertilizer application, reduce environmental impacts such as nitrogen runoff and greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance crop productivity and profitability.