Nitrogen fertilisers sustain yields but increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water pollution. This review synthesises field experiments, meta-analyses and life cycle assessments (LCAs) published through 2024 on fertiliser technologies and management strategies that raise nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and reduce cropland nitrogen losses. Loss pathways include nitrous oxide (N 2 O), ammonia (NH 3 ) volatilisation and nitrate (NO 3 − ) leaching; these pathways are shaped by soil properties, climate and management. Four product classes are assessed: enhanced-efficiency fertilisers (EENFs), bio-based and organo-mineral amendments, recovered nutrient products, and low-carbon synthetic fertilisers. For each class, mechanisms and measured effects on N 2 O, NH 3 and NO 3 − losses and crop yield are summarised. Integrated nutrient management is evaluated, including variable-rate application, sensor-guided decisions and coordinated irrigation, to align nitrogen supply with crop demand. Performance is compared across climates, soil textures and farming systems, with reported effects on soil health indicators. Adoption barriers include costs, operational complexity and regulatory conditions, alongside policy instruments supporting uptake. Monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) requirements are outlined to quantify field-scale emission reductions. The evidence shows that novel fertilisers, when matched to soil, climate and crop context, can cut N 2 O emissions while sustaining yields across many contexts. Evidence gaps include long-term field studies, smallholder systems and next-generation fertiliser formulations and delivery systems.
Chojnacka et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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