Sustainable strategies to limit nitrogen loss in agriculture through improving its use efficiency—aiming to reduce environmental pollution

The fertilizer nitrogen (N) is critical for increasing land productivity to sustain global food demands. However, excessive N application has led to environmental degradation, including soil depletion, water contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions. This study highlights the declining N use efficiency (NUE) in developing nations such as China (61 %–50 %) and India (50 %–42 %) due to the overuse of fertilizer. In contrast, developed nations such as France have improved NUE (40 %–58 %) through precision agriculture and policy interventions. These findings indicate that 40–68 % of the applied N fertilizer is lost to the environment in many developing regions, contributing to ecological instability. To mitigate these issues, this study recommends the adoption of knowledge-based N management strategies, such as precision N application, slow- and controlled-release fertilizers, nitrification inhibitors, and integrated nutrient management. Additionally, improving farmer awareness, policy incentives, and research collaboration are essential for increasing NUE while maintaining high crop yields. Strengthening investments in emerging technologies and sustainable practices is crucial for achieving food security and environmental sustainability. • The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer increases overall land productivity, ultimately increasing the food security of the population. • However, imbalanced use of N fertilizer deteriorates the environment as well as human health. Since the Green Revolution, NUE has quickly decreased in developing nations. • Improving N use efficiency in agricultural fields can contribute to food and environmental security. • To increase NUE, new knowledge-based N management techniques are becoming accessible. • This can be achieved by extensively implementing current and developing technology in agricultural systems.