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Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of Soils and Sediments

Nitrogen fertilizer use in agroecosystems: current practices, policies and recommendations for efficiency improvement

  • Md Hafiz All Hosen1
  • SC Das2
  • Georgette Leah Burns3,1
  • Apurbo Kumar Chaki4
  • Mrinmoy Guha Neogi5
  • MA Rahman6
  • Michael B. Farrar1
  • Mehran Rezaei Rashti7
  • Mahbubur Rahman Khan2
  • Brittany Elliott8
  • Shahla Hosseini Bai9,1
9 affiliations
  1. 1School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
  2. 2Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
  3. 3Griffith Institute for Human and Environmental Resilience, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
  4. 4Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh
  5. 5University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
  6. 6Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
  7. 7Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
  8. 8School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, 4000 QLD, Australia
  9. 9Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Abstract

Purpose Ensuring global food security for a growing population has intensified the reliance on nitrogen (N) fertilizers to maintain high crop yields. However, dependency on N fertilizers has led to increased over-fertilization, declined N use efficiency (NUE), and exacerbated environmental and agronomic challenges. Methods This review synthesised current fertilization practices, N-related policies, and empirical evidence regarding the consequences of excessive or unbalanced N application. Results The environmental consequences of excessive or unbalanced N application included increased soil acidification, fertility decline, crop productivity decline, nitrate contamination and greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the implications for long-term agricultural sustainability. As a result, a set of integrated strategies was proposed to enhance NUE while safeguarding soil health and included precision agriculture implementation, cover cropping, microbial inoculation, conservation tillage and organic amendment application. Practical limitations and contextual barriers to adoption, particularly in smallholder-dominated systems, were also examined and actionable recommendations in policy, research and extension were outlined. Special emphasis was placed on the role of inclusive and farmer centric extension services where farmer voices are heard to address their need, data-driven decision-making systems, fertilizer innovation, circular N management and cross-sectoral collaboration. Conclusion Collectively, this work offers a holistic framework for advancing sustainable N management and help to build resilient agricultural systems under intensifying environmental and climate pressures.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{hosen2026nitrogen,
  title = {{Nitrogen fertilizer use in agroecosystems: current practices, policies and recommendations for efficiency improvement}},
  author = {Md Hafiz All Hosen and SC Das and Georgette Leah Burns and Apurbo Kumar Chaki and Mrinmoy Guha Neogi and MA Rahman and Michael B. Farrar and Mehran Rezaei Rashti and Mahbubur Rahman Khan and Brittany Elliott and Shahla Hosseini Bai},
  journal = {Journal of Soils and Sediments},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  doi = {10.1007/s11368-026-04423-5},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-026-04423-5},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Nitrogen fertilizer use in agroecosystems: current practices, policies and recommendations for efficiency improvement
AU  - Md Hafiz All Hosen
AU  - SC Das
AU  - Georgette Leah Burns
AU  - Apurbo Kumar Chaki
AU  - Mrinmoy Guha Neogi
AU  - MA Rahman
AU  - Michael B. Farrar
AU  - Mehran Rezaei Rashti
AU  - Mahbubur Rahman Khan
AU  - Brittany Elliott
AU  - Shahla Hosseini Bai
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/16
JO  - Journal of Soils and Sediments
DO  - 10.1007/s11368-026-04423-5
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-026-04423-5
AB  - Purpose Ensuring global food security for a growing population has intensified the reliance on nitrogen (N) fertilizers to maintain high crop yields. However, dependency on N fertilizers has led to increased over-fertilization, declined N use efficiency (NUE), and exacerbated environmental and agronomic challenges. Methods This review synthesised current fertilization practices, N-related policies, and empirical evidence regarding the consequences of excessive or unbalanced N application. Results The environmental consequences of excessive or unbalanced N application included increased soil acidification, fertility decline, crop productivity decline, nitrate contamination and greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the implications for long-term agricultural sustainability. As a result, a set of integrated strategies was proposed to enhance NUE while safeguarding soil health and included precision agriculture implementation, cover cropping, microbial inoculation, conservation tillage and organic amendment application. Practical limitations and contextual barriers to adoption, particularly in smallholder-dominated systems, were also examined and actionable recommendations in policy, research and extension were outlined. Special emphasis was placed on the role of inclusive and farmer centric extension services where farmer voices are heard to address their need, data-driven decision-making systems, fertilizer innovation, circular N management and cross-sectoral collaboration. Conclusion Collectively, this work offers a holistic framework for advancing sustainable N management and help to build resilient agricultural systems under intensifying environmental and climate pressures.
SN  - 1439-0108
SN  - 1614-7480
ER  -