Li, Tingyu, Zhang, Weifeng, Yin, Jiao, Lu, Yuelai, Chadwick, David, Liu, Xuejun, Chen, Xinping, Zhang, Fusuo, Powlson, David, Norse, David and Dou, Zhengxia (2018) Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers are not a panacea for resolving the nitrogen problem. Global Change Biology, 24 (2). e511-e521. ISSN 1354-1013
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Improving nitrogen (N) management for greater agricultural output while minimizing unintended environmental consequences is critical in the endeavor of feeding the growing population sustainably amid climate change. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) have been developed to better synchronize fertilizer N release with crop uptake, offering the potential for enhanced N use efficiency (NUE) and reduced losses. Can EEFs play a significant role in helping address the N management challenge? Here we present a comprehensive analysis of worldwide studies published in 1980-2016 evaluating four major types of EEFs (polymer-coated fertilizers PCF, nitrification inhibitors NI, urease inhibitors UI, and double inhibitors DI, i.e. urease and nitrification inhibitors combined) regarding their effectiveness in increasing yield and NUE and reducing N losses. Overall productivity and environmental efficacy depended on the combination of EEF type and cropping systems, further affected by biophysical conditions. Best scenarios include: (i) DI used in grassland (n = 133), averaging 11% yield increase, 33% NUE improvement, and 47% decrease in aggregated N loss (sum of NO3- , NH3 , and N2 O, totaling 84 kg N/ha); (ii) UI in rice-paddy systems (n = 100), with 9% yield increase, 29% NUE improvement, and 41% N-loss reduction (16 kg N/ha). EEF efficacies in wheat and maize systems were more complicated and generally less effective. In-depth analysis indicated that the potential benefits of EEFs might be best achieved when a need is created, for example, by downward adjusting N application from conventional rate. We conclude that EEFs can play a significant role in sustainable agricultural production but their prudent use requires firstly eliminating any fertilizer mismanagement plus the implementation of knowledge-based N management practices.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Uncontrolled Keywords: | ammonia loss,biophysical conditions,enhanced efficiency fertilizers,nitrate leaching,sdg 2 - zero hunger,sdg 13 - climate action ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/zero_hunger |
Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development) |
Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
Date Deposited: | 13 Jan 2022 09:30 |
Last Modified: | 22 Oct 2022 16:35 |
URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/82997 |
DOI: | 10.1111/gcb.13918 |
Actions (login required)
View Item |