Communicating Nitrogen Loss Mechanisms for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency Management, Focused on Global Wheat

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The Authors of the manuscript have undertaken to define the factors that control NUE for wheat production, to express this understanding graphically and to identify management interventions most likely to offer NUE improvement. The paper is based on the integration of scientific knowledge and the practical experience of working agronomists. The graphical diagrams of each of the N loss and transformation mechanisms as tools for communication and summarize practical actions that can improve NUE have been presented. The analysis indicated that the most important management interventions for improving NUE will be using the best machinery possible (including variable-rate options), timing (including site specific methods), increasing SOM content and managing pH. The work brings new value in the form of a comprehensive analysis of nitrogen loss mechanisms and the improvement of nitrogen efficiency management. The work is written clearly, coherently and in this form can be forwarded to further stages of the publishing process.

Author Response

Thank you for the feedback and your kind comments.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments in attached pdf file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you for the comments. we have taken your advice and edited the manuscript in response.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

This review paper defines the factors controlling NUE and identifies management interventions that can drive NUE improvement. The topic is interesting and is well summarized systematically. I believe that this manuscript could be accepted after minor revisions.

Because this study focused on wheat (L16-17), please include the type of crop (wheat) in the title and the sentences of conclusive remarks.

Please clarify the regional scale (worldwide or specific region such as the UK) in the title, abstract. If this study deals with worldwide, the sentence of L12-13 is too local.

The words regarding spatiotemporal variability can be seen in “space and time” (L14), “spatially and temporally variable” (L80), “spatial and temporal variation” (L431-432), and “temporal and spatial variability” (L691). However, the scale of the space and length of time is obscure. Please clarify them.

Minor comments

L52 the N removed [12]: unit is not shown.

L122 Please explain the abbreviation, GMO.

Table 1 caption: the font size is different.

L233 Please show NUE for wheat production in addition to NUE for cereal production.

L480 “3-“ of NO3- should be subscript or superscript.

L550-551 Please show the reference regarding this sentence.

L606 NH3 loss instead of “N loss”?

L638 “3” of NH3 should be subscript.

L660-664: “-“ of NO2- and NO3- should be superscript.

L678 79 instead of 79.0

L702 Please add a space between “to” and “NO2-“.

Author Response

thankyou for the comments and feedback. we have edit the manuscript in response

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors very carefully corrected errors and modified the manuscript according to comments. 

I recommend the contribution for publication

Author Response

Thank you for your kind comments