Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances

Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth and productivity, but inefficiencies in its use in agriculture present both economic and environmental challenges. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is essential for promoting sustainable crop production and mitigating the negative impacts of ni...

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Main Authors: Aamir Ali, Nida Jabeen, Rasulov Farruhbek, Zaid Chachar, Azhar Ali Laghari, Sadaruddin Chachar, Nazir Ahmed, Shoaib Ahmed, Zhenping Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1543714/full
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author Aamir Ali
Nida Jabeen
Rasulov Farruhbek
Zaid Chachar
Azhar Ali Laghari
Sadaruddin Chachar
Nazir Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed
Zhenping Yang
author_facet Aamir Ali
Nida Jabeen
Rasulov Farruhbek
Zaid Chachar
Azhar Ali Laghari
Sadaruddin Chachar
Nazir Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed
Zhenping Yang
author_sort Aamir Ali
collection DOAJ
description Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth and productivity, but inefficiencies in its use in agriculture present both economic and environmental challenges. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is essential for promoting sustainable crop production and mitigating the negative impacts of nitrogen loss, such as water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This review discusses various strategies aimed at improving NUE, with a focus on agronomic practices, genetic advancements, and integrated management approaches. Traditional agronomic methods, including split nitrogen application and the use of controlled-release fertilizers, are explored alongside precision agriculture techniques, which enable real-time adjustments to nitrogen application based on crop and soil conditions. Advances in genetics and biotechnology, such as conventional breeding, genetic modification, and genome editing, have contributed to the development of crop varieties with improved nitrogen uptake and assimilation. Additionally, the role of beneficial microbes, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, is highlighted as a natural means of enhancing nitrogen availability and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The review further emphasizes sustainable practices such as legume-based crop rotations, continuous cover cropping, and organic fertilization, which contribute to soil nitrogen enrichment and overall soil health. By combining these agronomic, genetic, and microbial strategies, a holistic nitrogen management approach can be achieved, maximizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts. This integrated strategy supports the development of resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, promoting long-term soil fertility and productivity.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-29dfd306dec54ed8933c3d2168a8c4d72025-08-20T02:06:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-03-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15437141543714Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advancesAamir Ali0Nida Jabeen1Rasulov Farruhbek2Zaid Chachar3Azhar Ali Laghari4Sadaruddin Chachar5Nazir Ahmed6Shoaib Ahmed7Shoaib Ahmed8Zhenping Yang9College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, ChinaSchool of Communications and Information Engineering, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunication, Chongqing, ChinaAndijan State Medical Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andijan, UzbekistanCollege of Agriculture and Biology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, ChinaCollege of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Agronomy, Sindh Agriculture University Campus, Umerkot, PakistanDepartment of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, PakistanCollege of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Jinzhong, ChinaNitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth and productivity, but inefficiencies in its use in agriculture present both economic and environmental challenges. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is essential for promoting sustainable crop production and mitigating the negative impacts of nitrogen loss, such as water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This review discusses various strategies aimed at improving NUE, with a focus on agronomic practices, genetic advancements, and integrated management approaches. Traditional agronomic methods, including split nitrogen application and the use of controlled-release fertilizers, are explored alongside precision agriculture techniques, which enable real-time adjustments to nitrogen application based on crop and soil conditions. Advances in genetics and biotechnology, such as conventional breeding, genetic modification, and genome editing, have contributed to the development of crop varieties with improved nitrogen uptake and assimilation. Additionally, the role of beneficial microbes, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, is highlighted as a natural means of enhancing nitrogen availability and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The review further emphasizes sustainable practices such as legume-based crop rotations, continuous cover cropping, and organic fertilization, which contribute to soil nitrogen enrichment and overall soil health. By combining these agronomic, genetic, and microbial strategies, a holistic nitrogen management approach can be achieved, maximizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts. This integrated strategy supports the development of resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, promoting long-term soil fertility and productivity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1543714/fullnitrogen use efficiencyagronomic practicesgenetic improvementsustainable agriculturesoil health
spellingShingle Aamir Ali
Nida Jabeen
Rasulov Farruhbek
Zaid Chachar
Azhar Ali Laghari
Sadaruddin Chachar
Nazir Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed
Zhenping Yang
Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances
Frontiers in Plant Science
nitrogen use efficiency
agronomic practices
genetic improvement
sustainable agriculture
soil health
title Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances
title_full Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances
title_fullStr Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances
title_short Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances
title_sort enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances
topic nitrogen use efficiency
agronomic practices
genetic improvement
sustainable agriculture
soil health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1543714/full
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