Nitrification inhibitors in agroecosystems: what we know, what we don’t and why it matters
- 1ARC Research Hub for Smart Fertilisers, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- 2La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, Department of Ecological, Plant and Animal Sciences, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
- 3School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
Abstract
Purpose Nitrogen (N) is a key macronutrient applied in cropping system to enhance productivity; however, less than 50% of applied N is utilised by crops. Substantial N losses occur through nitrification and subsequent NO 3 − leaching, denitrification or NH 3 volatilisation, resulting in economic losses and environmental pollution. This review examines the roles of chemical nitrification inhibitors (NIs) and biological NIs (BNIs) in improving N-use efficiency and mitigating soil- and environment-related N losses. Materials and methods This review synthesizes evidence from laboratory, pot and field studies assessing the impact of NIs and BNIs on soil N transformation processes with a focus on rhizosphere interactions involving microbial activity, plant nutrient uptake, heavy metal bioavailability and interactions with residual agrochemicals across diverse soil and climatic conditions. Results and Discussion NIs delay the oxidation of ammonium to nitrate, thereby improving crop N uptake; however, concerns remain regarding their persistence and non-target effects on soil microbial communities. BNIs offer a promising nature-based alternative by regulating nitrification within the rhizosphere, although their limited diffusion into bulk soil may reduce effectiveness. Both NIs and BNIs influence N cycling, microbial dynamics and trace metal mobilization, with outcomes dependent on soil properties, management practices and environmental conditions. Conclusion NIs are an important tool for enhancing N-use efficiency and mitigating environmental N losses. Future research should focus on mechanistic understanding, non-target impacts and climatic influences to support their sustainable integration into N management strategies.
Related
- Common Nitrification Inhibitors Exhibit Distinct Mechanisms on the Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeon Nitrososphaera viennensis.
- What matters when? Temporal development of drivers and sources of nitrous oxide emissions in winter wheat
- Advances in Heterotrophic Nitrification-Aerobic Denitrification: Physiological Characteristics, Environmental Responses, and Nitrogen Metabolic Pathways.
- Editorial: Micro-and nanoplastics in agroecosystems: plant responses, soil interactions, and remediation strategies
- Optimizing water and nutrient delivery through precision drip fertigation boosts fennel productivity and resource-use efficiency in arid agroecosystems
BibTeX
@article{bandara2026nitrification,
title = {{Nitrification inhibitors in agroecosystems: what we know, what we don’t and why it matters}},
author = {Tharanga Bandara and Shu Kee Lam and Hang‐Wei Hu and Deli CHEN and Caixian Tang},
journal = {Journal of Soils and Sediments},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1007/s11368-026-04406-6},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-026-04406-6},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Nitrification inhibitors in agroecosystems: what we know, what we don’t and why it matters
AU - Tharanga Bandara
AU - Shu Kee Lam
AU - Hang‐Wei Hu
AU - Deli CHEN
AU - Caixian Tang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/28
JO - Journal of Soils and Sediments
DO - 10.1007/s11368-026-04406-6
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-026-04406-6
AB - Purpose Nitrogen (N) is a key macronutrient applied in cropping system to enhance productivity; however, less than 50% of applied N is utilised by crops. Substantial N losses occur through nitrification and subsequent NO 3 − leaching, denitrification or NH 3 volatilisation, resulting in economic losses and environmental pollution. This review examines the roles of chemical nitrification inhibitors (NIs) and biological NIs (BNIs) in improving N-use efficiency and mitigating soil- and environment-related N losses. Materials and methods This review synthesizes evidence from laboratory, pot and field studies assessing the impact of NIs and BNIs on soil N transformation processes with a focus on rhizosphere interactions involving microbial activity, plant nutrient uptake, heavy metal bioavailability and interactions with residual agrochemicals across diverse soil and climatic conditions. Results and Discussion NIs delay the oxidation of ammonium to nitrate, thereby improving crop N uptake; however, concerns remain regarding their persistence and non-target effects on soil microbial communities. BNIs offer a promising nature-based alternative by regulating nitrification within the rhizosphere, although their limited diffusion into bulk soil may reduce effectiveness. Both NIs and BNIs influence N cycling, microbial dynamics and trace metal mobilization, with outcomes dependent on soil properties, management practices and environmental conditions. Conclusion NIs are an important tool for enhancing N-use efficiency and mitigating environmental N losses. Future research should focus on mechanistic understanding, non-target impacts and climatic influences to support their sustainable integration into N management strategies.
SN - 1439-0108
SN - 1614-7480
ER -