ABSTRACT Rice sustains nearly half of the global population, yet its nitrogen (N) use efficiency remains low, undermining both food security and environmental integrity. Rice predominantly absorbs ammonium (NH 4 +), which is readily nitrified and lost through irrigation and drainage, posing a persistent management challenge. Integrating 1756 paired field observations and global modelling, we show that using enhanced‐efficiency fertilizers to maintain soil NH 4 + relative to conventional practices increases rice yield by 6%–10% and N use efficiency by 18%–33%, while reducing ammonia (NH 3) volatilization by 16%–50%, nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions by 25%–49%, and methane (CH 4) emissions by 9%–30%. This N transformation‐based management could reduce global N fertilizer inputs by 1. 4 ± 0. 06 million tonnes (Tg), generate an additional 72 ± 13 Tg of rice, and lower N 2 O, CH 4, and NH 3 emissions by 0. 07 ± 0. 02, 6. 8 ± 2. 0, and 0. 6 ± 0. 2 Tg, respectively, equivalent to an annual reduction of about 202 Tg CO 2 ‐eq. The total social benefit is valued at US51 ± 5 billion, including US29 ± 2 billion in added food value, achieved with only US1. 6 ± 0. 6 billion in fertilizer investment and US0. 9 ± 0. 1 billion in transaction costs. Aligning N transformation processes with crop N preference thus represents a pivotal strategy for sustaining rice productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.
Chen et al. (2026) studied this question.