The improvement in global crop production over the past several decades has been associated with increased use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. However, on average, less than 50% of the nitrogen added to croplands globally is harvested as crop product. Inefficient use of N fertilizer by crops will result in substantial agricultural nitrogen losses, posing threats to human and ecosystem health.
Crop production must increase dramatically to meet the growing demand for food and biofuels projected for 2050. To boost crop yield with lowered environmental cost, the use of high-potential crop cultivars and efficient nitrogen fertilizer management are required. Recent advances in N management practices, such as enhanced-efficiency fertilizer use, improved manure management and machine deep placement of fertilizer have opened up new strategies to achieve improved crop production with N use reduction. A better understanding of the key crop traits and regulatory processes in response to N fertilizer managements will facilitate the increase in crop yield, N use efficiency while minimizing impacts on the environment.
This Research Topic welcomes original research, review, mini review, and perspective articles covering any of the following aspects:
-New N management strategies toward improvement of crop yield and N use efficiency
-Effects of organic N sources and legume crops in rotation systems or intercropping
-Crop adaptation mechanisms to varied N management practices
-Characterization of crop traits and regulatory processes crucial for determining crop N use efficiency
-Interactions between N management and other nutrients/stresses under climate changes
The improvement in global crop production over the past several decades has been associated with increased use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. However, on average, less than 50% of the nitrogen added to croplands globally is harvested as crop product. Inefficient use of N fertilizer by crops will result in substantial agricultural nitrogen losses, posing threats to human and ecosystem health.
Crop production must increase dramatically to meet the growing demand for food and biofuels projected for 2050. To boost crop yield with lowered environmental cost, the use of high-potential crop cultivars and efficient nitrogen fertilizer management are required. Recent advances in N management practices, such as enhanced-efficiency fertilizer use, improved manure management and machine deep placement of fertilizer have opened up new strategies to achieve improved crop production with N use reduction. A better understanding of the key crop traits and regulatory processes in response to N fertilizer managements will facilitate the increase in crop yield, N use efficiency while minimizing impacts on the environment.
This Research Topic welcomes original research, review, mini review, and perspective articles covering any of the following aspects:
-New N management strategies toward improvement of crop yield and N use efficiency
-Effects of organic N sources and legume crops in rotation systems or intercropping
-Crop adaptation mechanisms to varied N management practices
-Characterization of crop traits and regulatory processes crucial for determining crop N use efficiency
-Interactions between N management and other nutrients/stresses under climate changes